The Saint Louis Watercolor Society was formed in 1996 by a small group of dedicated, visionary artists for the purpose of providing educational opportunities to artists interested in watermedia, and to exhibit watermedia artwork to the public. From the original charter group of seven members, the membership grew to 175 active members in less than two years. The membership now stands at over 250 members and ranges from full-time watercolorists, to hobbyists, educators, friends of artists, gallery owners, retailers, etc. If you want to know more about the Saint Louis Watercolor Society, you can send us an email at contact@stlws.org.

Meetings
Regular monthly membership meetings are held on third Tuesdays at 7:00 PM at First Congregational Church in Webster Groves, MO. Meetings generally include an educational demonstration and or lecture by guest artists. Meetings are open to members, prospective members and guests. Meetings are held September through May, (except December).View the calendar

Workshops
We have organized and sponsored workshops with 28 internationally known watercolor instructors. (see this year's workshops)

Workshops are open to members and nonmembers. Members are allowed to sign-up for workshops before registration is open to non-members. Workshops are usually three-day or five-day and are usually held at the Maria Center, in a beautiful facility on the Mississippi River in south Saint Louis.

Exhibitions
Our annual Members Award Exhibit is Big Splash, held in August or September each year at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Center, St. Peters, Missouri. There are usually about 150 - 200 paintings exhibited in this show - a wonderful diverse display of watermedia in all its thrilling personalities! (Take a look at Big Splash!) The exhibit is judged for awards by an area professional artist or professor of art. Up to 20 prizes are donated for this show by generous corporate sponsors. (See our sponsors)

A springtime juried show is generally held at Creative Art Gallery at 3232 Ivanhoe Ave, St. Louis, MO. Signature status is granted to members who are accepted into 2 juried shows within 10 years while maintaining continuous membership. This exhibit offers cash awards. Additional exhibits are held throughout the year and offer many opportunities for the experienced as well as the emerging artist.

We have an exciting exhibit venue, Saint Louis Watercolor Society Showboat. It is a dramatic three-sided display unit which is housed at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, MO and allows up to three artists per month to display their best watermedia art for sale. Members have an opportunity to sign up for the "Showboat." (See more about exhibits)

Newsletter
A quarterly newsletter chock full of important updates about SLWS activities and articles written by award-winning artists and art writers is distributed to members as a benefit of membership, and to the public via select locations in the St. Louis area. A membership application is available in each issue. If you are interested in submitting an article for the newsletter, email to the newsletter editor at: hammelman@aol.com by one month before the edition dates of February, May, August, November. There is no payment for articles. Articles may be edited to fit, and inclusion is up to the discretion of the editors. Advertising space is also available in the newsletter.

Committee and Board Membership
There are many opportunities to serve on the Board of SLWS or on a Committee. You can help with Receiving or Retrieval at Exhibits, working with the Judge or and Group that hangs the Shows, or even with the new Showboat Display; you can help with Refreshments; or with Workshops. Board members are elected at the may meeting each year from the Membership. The Board meets once a month throughout the year, on the second Tuesday of the month. Board terms are for two years.
Some of the benefits of serving on the Board are:

• You help determine policy
• You have a great time networking with other outstanding artists
• You get a free listing and the image of your choice on this web site
• You are the first to find out about upcoming workshops
• You get to make suggestions about who you want to have for demos and workshops
• You help give back to the community some of the blessings you have received by being an artist
• You know you are needed!

For more information about serving on the Board or on committees, contact any Board Member. (See below)

Online Gallery
Members are encouraged to display their bio and artwork on their own personal page on the SLWS web site. There is an annual fee for the Gallery participation. For more information send an email to gallery@stlws.org.   View the galleries

Members of the Board
Mirka Fette President	Painting with watercolor gives me joy because of its transparency and because each painting is an adventure. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be involved with this organization because it is a friendly and nurturing environment where ideas are shared and we can grow as artists.
Mary Mosblech Vice President & Programs	"I have been drawn to painting in watercolors because I enjoy the transparency and way it can be used to depict the play of light on an object’s surface.  I also love the backlighting which can make objects seem transparent and glowing.  I try to push color, letting colors flow and mix on the paper.  I am intrigued in the way objects blend into shapes and am aware of both positive and negative shapes within objects."
Jane Hogg Secretary	"I've always had a passion for art and now that I have time to pursue it, I'm living the dream.  I find painting with watercolor fascinating, taking me on a magical adventure of discovery as the paint and water flow and mix on the paper as I create.  I also love the transparency of watercolor and the glow that comes from the paper reflecting through the paint.  My affiliation with the Saint Louis Watercolor Society has been very rewarding with all I have learned through workshops, demos at their meetings, and knowledge so freely shared by their members.  Although I never planned to show my work when I started this endeavor just a couple of years ago, my development and confidence has grown to the point where I now enter my paintings in their shows and at other venues they offer for exhibition.  This is a wonderful organization and I'm proud to be participating as a board member."
Linda Hammelman Treasurer	Linda paints exclusively in watercolor and has attended most of the workshops available through the Saint Louis Watercolor Society. "I really enjoy my affiliation with this group. We have a serious commitment to our jobs on the board and we have a lot of fun, too." - Gallery
Beverly Lake Hoffman Graphics and Design	"My interest and intent is to create works that inspire the viewer to visualize the presence of Soul through the inherent qualities of watercolor. I focus in on light and luminoisity. I enjoy involving the viewer in the visual experience with a touch of humor and sense of imagination." Gallery
Cindy Klatt Workshops
Elizabeth Concannon Exhibits	"Elizabeth Concannon began a love affair with watercolor many years ago and has enjoyed it as it grew into a multi-faceted way to produce art in many sizes and shapes and with many subjects. Most of the paintings contain a statement about life as experienced over many years under various circumstances. We have to express ourselves and art is such a beautiful way to do that. Watercolor has many varieties within its definition -- transparent watercolor, gouache, acrylic, tempera. etc. -- and Elizabeth uses each variety alone or combined with the others to make a statement -- even including hand painted collage pieces in the work. Possibilities in watermedia are endless -- how could you not love that!!"
Sandy Baker Exhibits	"I find watercolor an exciting and demanding medium. Although I am proud to have been a Signature Member of the SLWS for several years, I still consider myself an "advanced novice". Working on the Board has involved hard work and much laughter. I love that combination."
Doris Schwartz Hospitality
Dan Podgurski Publicity