Welcome! This is Brushstrokes, the periodic newsletter of Bloomington Watercolor Society. Enjoy our story. 

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https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonwatercolorsociety

To communicate with the BWS, send email to info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.  A number of board members monitor emails sent to this address.

Brushstrokes, Edition 1, September 2026

The First BWS Meeting of Autumn

September 14   6:00

Pillar Arts Gallery at College Mall

Use the Door on the South Side

Look for the BWS Sign

It’s our annual Welcome Back program where members bring their summer paintings to “Show and Share.”  No framing necessary!  Be prepared to present a very brief talk about your work and what inspired you and also be prepared for compliments!

A Bit of Important Business

From Julie Boyd, 2nd VP and Membership Chair
Thank you to all the members who have joined or renewed their membership for this coming year. Membership in the Bloomington Watercolor Society runs from September until June and dues are $35. If you were a member last year but have not renewed your dues for this year, your name may not be included in the membership directory that will be published later in September. There are 2 ways to pay: via PayPal and by check. The PayPal link can be found on the BWS website under “Join Us”. Checks may be payable to BWS and mailed to:
BWS, 55 N Street, Bedford, IN 47421. If you have questions concerning your membership status, you can contact me at info@bloomingtonwatercolor.org.
Julie Boyd

Welcome to New Members
We have several new members joining us so far this year. They are: Delia Igo, Julia Karr, Angela O’Malley, Mary Ann Sandler-Spieth, Katie Talbot, and Susan Wilhelm. If you see them at a meeting, please extend a warm welcome. 

OPPORTUNITIES and ACTIVITIES

From the Activities Committee, here are just a few of the wonderful things to do in Autumn in the Bloomington area!

The BWS Activities Committee has found four opportunities to create or share your artistic endeavors.

The 38th Great Outdoor Contest takes place Sept. 12 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the T.C. Steele Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Rd, Nashville, Ind. Even if you think you don’t want to compete, we suggest you get your blank canvas or papers stamped at check-in, just to keep your options open. The fee is $20 for adults and $15 for youths. Judging starts at 2 p.m. with awards at 3-ish p.m. A general pass into the event just to see the contest is $5. You can register onsite the day of the event or you can register online at indianamuseum.org
https://www.indianamuseum.org/event/great-outdoor-art-contest/

On the same day the Owen County Art Guild is hosting its 2nd Annual Plein Aire Painting Contest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Check in is near the park’s Nature Center, and the fee is $10 per person. To register or to get more information call 812-829-1877 or visit the Owen County Art Guild Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/ocartguild/

From Sept. 19 – 26 the Mitchell Persimmon Festival Art Show will hang at the Mitchell Community Library, 814 Main St. You can choose to have your art in either the Judged or Non-judged division. Judged entries are charged $5 per piece; Non-judged entries are free. The categories are Landscapes & Waterscapes, Still Life & Floral, Portrait & People, Animals & Birds, Abstract-Fantasy-Non-objective. All work must be original, 2-dimensional works in any medium (watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastel, pencil, ink, etc.) No AI artwork will be accepted. Drop-off is Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and pick-up will be Sept. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m.

https://persimmonfestival.org/

On Oct. 3 Paint Bloomington! will feature free classes and supplies, competitions, and demos in Bryan Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is for all ages. For more information, email paintbloomington@gmail.com.

BWS’s Activities Committee, chaired by Nancy Metz, includes Barbara Coffman, Jacqueline Fernette, Zain Mackey, and Carol Rhodes. The committee will be meeting Sept. 8 and it invites members to suggest activities for the organization.

"En Plein Air"

This show features artwork inspired by artists’ firsthand experiences with the landscapes they depict.

​Come celebrate the beauty and diversity of plein air painting, on display at the Arts Alliance Center through September 30.
Visit the opening reception on Saturday, September 12 from 3–5 PM.

ARTISTS' ART

From Tim Lewis

• My watercolor, “Morning Glory”, was accepted into the Hamilton County Artists Association Annual Midwest Juried Exhibition.  The show runs through October 31st at the Birdie Gallery in Noblesville, IN. This painting is of the shrimp boat, "Linda Ann", ready to head out on a stormy morning. Shrimping is hard work under dangerous conditions. We depend on these fishermen to help feed the population whatever the weather. Inspired by a photograph by Chris Buckman and used with his permission.

Watch for the 2nd September Edition Coming out soon and, meanwhile,
HAPPY PAINTING!