When June Pierpont Webster received the news that her watercolor, “Mackerel with Lemons” would be put on view at the American Watercolor Society’s 144^th Annual International Exhibition in New York City beginning in April, she was thrilled and honored.  In fact, for this respected and humble artist, this isn’t the first time.  Webster’s work also was featured in the society’s 140^th show in 2007 and went on to be chosen for the organization's national travelling exhibition.

The American Watercolor Society is a nonprofit membership organization that began in 1866 to promote the art of watercolor painting in America, according to their web site, www.americanwatercolorsociety.org.   Each year the society holds a juried exhibition of paintings featuring a selection of works they deem to be the 100 best watercolors in the world, chosen from thousands of entries. 

“I hope people who see my piece are drawn to it, that it captures their interest and attention,” says Webster, an award-winning watercolorist and oil painter.  Webster currently teaches classes at Artsplace, the New Britain Museum of American Art and Gallery 53 in Meriden.  Now that two of her works have been recognized by AWS, she will become a signature member of the society and will be able to sign “AWS” after her name on every watercolor she creates.

Webster says entering shows gave a different purpose to her life and motivates her to keep  painting.  Teaching is another rewarding motivator for Webster, who describes Artsplace as having a “nurturing atmosphere.”   

Another Artsplace instructor, Robert Noreika, recently learned that he, too, would have a work on display at the AWS exhibition.  Noreika, a prominent national award-winning artist and illustrator, paints a variety of subjects including nature scenes.  He is represented in numerous galleries throughout New England, and his works grace the walls of several corporations and businesses in Connecticut. 

For sculptor and painter Tracy Walter Ferry, creativity came at an early age, and blossomed after a career as a registered nurse.  Ferry took what she learned from nursing and interprets it abstractly in her creations.  She compares her work with that of a scientist in a lab, “morphing together animals, plants and humans.”  Now, one of her untitled contemporary sculptures has been accepted to Hidden Cities, a juried exhibition held in conjunction with the Women’s Caucus Association for Art Conference and the College Art Association Conference.  Only 25 pieces were chosen from almost 1000 entries by the director of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City, Lisa Phillips. 

 “I don’t title my work because I want people to have their own feeling of what it is, and I like to know what other people think it is,”  Ferry says.  She calls this recognition a stepping stone for her as an artist, an honor which will bring national attention to her work.

Ferry, who received her Master of Fine Arts in 2007 from Hartford Art School, has exhibited her work at galleries including Artspace in New Haven, Real Art Ways in Hartford, the Silpe Gallery at Hartford Art School and the UConn Stamford Gallery.

The Hidden Cities exhibit will be held February 1 – 12 at the New Century Artists Gallery in New York City. 

 The 2011 American Watercolor Society exhibition, which attracts more than 3,500 visitors each year, will be held from April 5 – May 1 at the Salmagundi Club Galleries in New York City.

“It is a coup for us in Cheshire not only to have Artsplace but to have teachers of this caliber,” says Artsplace director Joan Pilarczyk.  “Artsplace is a seed here, the roots run deep and it gives everybody of every age an opportunity to come and experience the fun of making art with people who are supportive and kind and share every secret.”

For more information on Artsplace visit www.cpfa-artsplace.org.  For more information on the artists, visit www.tracywalterferry.com and www.robertnoreika.com.