Background

In April of 1974 a group of artists formed Potomac Valley Watercolorists to promote the art and professionalism of watercolor painting.

The PVW organization includes numerous watercolor instructors who teach at local, national and international levels. Many members exhibit at prominent galleries, museums and in nationally acclaimed shows. Some members act as jurors and judges. Others give demonstrations and programs for art and civic groups. PVW artists have been featured in prominent art magazines and books.

Activities

Exhibitions are held several times a year. An annual spring exhibit is held at Green Springs Garden Park in Alexandria and a fall show and sale is at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Arlington. Other sites have included the Judicial Center in Fairfax, VA, Strathmore Hall and the Mansion Gallery in Rockville, MD, Children's Hospital and the Sumner School Museum in Washington, D.C.

Programs include demonstrations, workshops and critiques given by nationally recognized watercolorists and our PVW members.

Two general membership meetings are held each year, one in the fall and the other in the spring. Board meetings, open to all members, are held four times a year.

A luncheon or dinner meeting is held in the spring to greet new members and exchange ideas.

Each spring a New York trip is scheduled to view the American Watercolor Society annual show.

Organization

PVW is a nonprofit organization. Funds for the operating budget are derived from annual membership dues. Special activities are organized to be self financing. Officers are elected in the spring to serve a two year term. The membership year begins in January.

Goals

• Promote the highest level of excellence in the use of the watercolor medium.
• Further the advancement of the art of watercolor painting.
• Educate the public to appreciate the beauties and permanence of watercolor
• Inform the public of opportunities to view and acquire watercolor paintings