Throughout its over 45-year history, the Idaho Watercolor Society has supported and promoted water media art in Idaho. Education in water media art has been a core service provided by the organization, mainly through workshops, classes, critiques, and scholarships. In 2026, IWS expanded its educational outreach by partnering with the Patriot Art Foundation (PAF). The PAF is a not-for-profit, nation-wide organization that works with Veteran Administration hospitals around the country, providing art supplies and teaching online art classes to military veterans. It has been clinically proven that creating art can be therapeutic in the lives of men and women who have or are experiencing challenges in life including emotional trauma. Teaching these classes is a unique way for IWS to continue its legacy of educating members of our communities in the water media arts as well as providing a useful service to our country’s veterans.
Working directly with the Boise Veterans Administration Hospital, IWS members Lynn McConnell, Gail Greco, and Larry Boyd organized a curriculum and delivered a series of online watercolor classes over a six-week period earlier this year. We covered the color wheel, properties of watercolor paint, application techniques, value and composition. Eight veterans participated in the classes and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We are currently preparing to deliver a second series of classes beginning in October. Many of the veterans in our first series have indicated that they would like to take the class again.
Lynn, Gail and Larry all agree that delivering the training and meeting and interacting with the veterans was rewarding and enjoyable. As with any new experience, there were things to learn, and the online teaching was an especially interesting challenge. The IWS team is looking forward to delivering the next series of classes. There seems to be a strong interest from the Patriot Art Foundation and the Idaho Veterans Administration for IWS to offer more of this training in the future. We are hopeful that other IWS members will become interested in joining our team. Also, if you have any unused water media supplies, especially quality watercolor paper, that you would be willing to donate, that would be helpful. While the PAF provides basic materials to the veterans for the classes, the veterans would benefit from a broader selection of materials and supplies. If you are interested in helping with delivering the classes, donating materials, or just want more information, contact Lynn McConnell at mcconnell1106@gmail.com.