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Monthly Archives

March 2026

Mar 31
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42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show Visitor’s Choice Award Winners

By Rotunda Show

This year, we received over 1,200 public votes for our 42nd Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show Visitor’s Choice Awards, the highest participation we’ve seen to date. Even more meaningful, every painting in the show received votes, reflecting how widely the work resonated with visitors!!  We’re happy to share the 2026 Visitor’s Choice Award winners:

1st Place ($200) – “Ol’ Blue Eyes” by Carol HasBrouck Browning

2nd Place ($100) – “The Poser” by Shelly Johnson

3rd Place (Merchandise Award – Blick Art Materials) – “South of Cascade” by Sharon Herther

4th Place (Merchandise Award – The Merri Artist) – “Henrietta the Hedgehog” by Tamara Burnett

Honorable Mentions
5th Place: “The Family That Digs Together” by Beth Trott
6th Place: “Catching Some Z’s XVIII” by Lauren Johnson                         

A special thank you to Blick Art Materials and The Merri Artist for supporting this year’s awards!!!
And a sincere thank you to all participating artists. This show is entirely volunteer driven and truly a labor of love. It exists because IWS artists are willing to share their work with the broader community in such an open and accessible space.

I’m grateful to be able to do this together.

Cheers,

Beth Trott, IWS Annual Capitol Rotunda Art Show Coordinator

Mar 30
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IWS SW Analysis and Discussion

By Region - Southwest, SW In Person Analysis and Discussion

IWS SW Analysis and Discussion

Eagle Hills Church…  651 N Eagle Rd, Eagle, ID 83616

Monday, April 6, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

What:  Monthly in-person critique

Where:  Eagle Hills Church, but in the upstairs community room (to the left as you enter the double doors), park in the upper lot—this change may last for several months as it has to do with limiting access to the school area downstairs

Who:  This month’s hosts are Roy and Scott

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Having trouble with a painting?…bring it.

Have a successful painting?…We’d like to see it and cheer!

No painting to bring…Come anyway…..

…it’s all FUN, FRIENDLY and HELPFUL !

“Get that old stuff out from under your bed or off your easel and bring it in for discussion, we’re all friends and there’s no crying in watercolors!”

-Scott Muscolo

Questions? email Scott at scottmuscolo@gmail.com

 

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Karyn deKramer

IWS SW Email Communicator

iws.sw.idaho@gmail.com

Mar 24
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SW Members Exhibits and Workshops/Classes for April

By Region - Southwest, SW Monthly Member Announcements
SW Members Exhibits and Workshops/Classes for April

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Exhibits:

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Loretta Barra has a “Watercolor Paint and Sip” event on April 8th from 6-8:30pm at Buckhorn Winery in Eagle. Join her for a fun relaxing evening painting a country springtime scene. Get info and tickets at www.LorettaBarra.com.
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Loretta also has an ebook available on her website that breaks down how to paint with watercolor and basic color theory “Watercolor Basics and Beyond” it is 25% off. Check it out.

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Pam Grant will be showing her art work at Valley View Retirement Center, 1140 N.

Allumbaugh St, Boise. The reception is April 9th, from 5 to 7.
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Karen Hickman I’m very excited as I will be displaying my watercolor painting at St Alphonsus for the month of April.  I know many of our IWS friends have displayed theirs as well, but always an honor.
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Jessica L Bryant ‘s work was accepted into several upcoming exhibits, including the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (50th Anniversary), Watercolor USA, the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, and the Splash: Best of Watercolor publication.
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Ileana Cordova -I’m excited to share that my Call to Artists application was accepted to exhibit my watercolors at the Kuna Arts and History Center in 2026. My work will be featured alongside two other artists in a three-person showcase from April 24 to July 3, 2026.

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Workshops/ Classes:

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Jessica L Bryant will be giving a free, live online demo at Art School Live with Erik Rhoads on April 14th at 9am Pacific, 10am Mountain. The topic will be painting water and rocks under water, focusing on shape and value. Watch live on facebook and youtube.
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Jessica will be on the faculty at the Plein Air Convention and Expo in the Ozarks May 14-18, giving a stage demo and working in the field with participants. If you’d like to go, you can save $100 off registration with code  .
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Linda Aman – FREE “Art Talk” – on Zoom. April 1st NO Fooling! Surprise Topic. If you are not on the Art Talk list. Email linda@amanarts.com 

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Linda Aman – “In Person Watercolor Classes”– Star, ID. Come join us, learn the creative use of watercolor, and strengthen your paintings. Bring a painting you are working on, or Linda can provide a project. Materials are available for use in class, and you are welcome to bring your own. All levels welcome. Date: Mondays April 6th and April 27th. 1:00pm-4:00pm. Price $35 per class.  Email for address in Star, Idaho. To sign up  Email linda@amanarts.com 
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“Master Art Classes Online Live” – Linda Aman – Lessons on Zoom Tuesdays Similar to in person “open paint” sessions, where you can share what you are currently creating. Email a painting in progress to Linda the day before class. You will have instruction and paint time during class. Artists learn from a wide variety of art. All the critiques and suggestions from each artist’s paintings will increase your knowledge. Tuesdays April 14th and April 28th. Price $30 per class. Times 9:00am-12:00pm or 6:00pm-9:00 (MST)   Email to register linda@amanarts.com   These are Master Level Classes on Zoom. Contact more information.
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Linda Aman – Watercolor Workshop –Star, ID “Rust and Corrosion” Saturday April 18th 9:00 am–4:00pm. Price for the all-day workshop is $95.00 which includes borrowing granulating paints in class. Bring a sack lunch.  Join Linda for a hands-on workshop exploring the look of rust, corrosion, and texture using unusual color choices and granulating paint techniques. Instruction is step-by-step, with individual guidance throughout the day. Reference materials and art supplies will be available in class. Participants should also bring their own art materials.   Contact – Linda Aman  linda@amanarts.com
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Linda Aman – “In Person Watercolor Class” – Idaho Falls, Idaho.  Come join us, learn the creative use of watercolor, and strengthen your paintings. Bring a painting you are working on, or Linda can provide a project. Materials are available for use in class, and you are welcome to bring your own. All levels welcome. Date: Monday April 20th. 1:00pm-4:00pm. Price $35 per class. Studio address: 258 N Water Ave. Idaho Falls, ID. To sign up  Email linda@amanarts.com 
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Linda Aman – Watercolor Workshop – Idaho Falls, ID “Going Green” Saturday April 25th 9:00am–4:00pm Price for the all-day workshop $95.00.  Studio address: 258 N Water Ave. Idaho Falls, ID. Please bring a sack lunch.  Join Linda for a watercolor workshop focused on expanding your use of greens and other luscious colors. You will learn how to mix a range of greens using warm and cool tones and create luminous color avoiding muddy results. The day is structured with clear, step-by-step instructions and individual guidance throughout the day. in your watercolor. Learn to mix and utilize a variety of greens using warmer or cooler colors. Create luminous color without creating mud to bring harmony to your work. Instruction is step-by-step, with individual guidance throughout the day. Please bring a quarter sheet (140 lb.) cold press Arches watercolor paper, stretched and prepared on a board, along with your own art materials. Linda will provide the reference photo, and a selection of supplies will be available in class. If needed, you may contact Linda in advance to have your paper prepared. All levels are welcome. To sign Email linda@amanarts.com 

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Linda Aman –“Private in person, Watercolor and Mixed Media Lessons” are available – Email to schedule a time and date. linda@amanarts.com 
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Linda Aman –“Consulting and Critique on Zoom” are available – Email to schedule a time and date.  linda@amanarts.com 
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Happy Painting! 🙂

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Karyn deKramer
SW Email Communicator
Mar 17
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IWS 50th Anniversary Celebration Information

By All IWS Info

Please note the correct dates for the show and reception: 50th Anniversary Founders Art Show is May 8 – July 5; the Celebration Reception is June 7th.

Below is an outline for the Celebration Reception and Founders Art Show. A graphic reminder of event details can be accessed here.

In April, IWS members and past supporters will receive an email invitation for the Celebration Reception on Sunday, June 7, at 4:00- 6:00 PM in the Aspen room at the Riverside Hotel. You will be asked to RSVP and send a $10 deposit for each guest to complete your registration. The deposits will be fully refunded when you check in at the Riverside event. Members can choose to destroy their check or donate the check to the IWS Foundation.

Light refreshments and a no host bar will be available during the reception. The event will be an opportunity to celebrate our organization, recognize supporters, take a trip down memory lane, and renew old friendships.

The Founder’s Art Show will feature artists who were early organizers, leaders, and mentors from across the state. Paintings will hang on the north wall of the ballroom. The Founder’s Show will be exhibited during the IWS Annual Show. The Founder’s Art Show will be an impressive and beautiful display.

The book we are producing will be available for your preview and purchase. It is a pictorial history of 50 years of annual award winners, notable events, illustrious artists, and treasured interviews of members’ voices. The book will be available for on-demand printing.

Mar 16
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SW Monthly Member Exhibits/Workshops Announcements Call for April

By Region - Southwest, SW Monthly Member Announcements

SW Monthly Member Exhibits/Workshops Announcements Call for April

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Very Important!  Do Not hit the Reply button to this message.  Please make sure your announcement message is sent to the email address of iws.sw.idaho@gmail.com. I recommend you Copy/ Paste iws.sw.idaho@gmail.com into your email.  Mail To: iws.sw.idaho@gmail.com 
I look forward to getting your next announcement.  🙂
 ___________________________________________
Greetings,
It is time again to submit your upcoming watercolor exhibit, or workshop announcement into the April email listing.  A monthly list of watercolor exhibits members are participating in and/or watercolor workshop opportunities taught by members.

To participate and have your announcement posted, please send a prepared announcement to Karyn by the deadline: March 23. There are a few requirements: Please keep it short (short paragraph), text only (no attachments), text that can be cut and pasted. One link is OK. Watercolor media related only.  -Thank you.

Deadline March 23
Very Important! Please, please make sure your announcement is sent to:  iws.sw.idaho@gmail.com    
Do Not Reply to this message. 
———-
Karyn deKramer
SW Email Communicator

Mar 07
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Anyone attending WFWS in Colorado?

By WFWS

If you are planning to attend WFWS in Colorado in May, please email me, and I will send you the link to the discounted hotel rate. Hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center, 7675 East Union Ave, Denver, CO.  To get the discounted rates, you must book before April 8.
Thanks,
Shelly Johnson, WFWS IWS Delegate
Shellyejohnson@yahoo.com

Mar 05
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DON’T MISS THE ENTRY DATE FOR IWS JURIED EXHIBITION!!

By Annual Juried Exhibition

If you are a procrastinator like me, you might think you still have a lot of time. But No!  The deadline is this coming Sunday, March 8, promptly at 9:00pm. MST

If you have questions, you can go onto ArtCall and read the prospectus.  (https://iws2026annualjuriedexhibition.artcall.org/admin/).  You can also contact either myself at (hazzy1900@gmail.com) or Garianne Erwin (donerwin2000@yahoo.com).

Our juror, JJ Jiang, will have the month of March to select the paintings that will be entered into the show.  Notification will be sent via email on Sunday, March 29th by 9pm.  Also you will then be able to go onto your page in Artcall and see if you have a GREEN Thumbs Up, or a RED Thumbs Down.  If you entered 2 paintings, be sure to look for 2 emails from ArtCall. If you don’t see them, look in your SPAM folder.

In hopeful anticipation,

Carol HasBrouck Browning, Exhibition co-chair

P.S.  I finally entered yesterday!