Watercolor+, an art exhibition featuring local artists Kirsten Benfield, Nancy Brody, Barbara DiLorenzo, Laurie Hall, Beth Meredith, and Janet Rojas, will be held at Ashawagh Hall in Springs from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27. An opening reception will be held on Friday, September 25, from 5 to 7:30 PM.
Marking a decade of exhibiting together, this year’s Watercolor+ show will take on a new look, with the artists presenting their work salon style. The arrangement will bring works together in a dynamic, closely curated display, offering visitors a fresh way to experience the group’s individual styles and collective body of work.
This year’s exhibition will also hold special significance as the group pays tribute to their dear friend, fellow artist, and founding member Jerry Schwabe, who passed away this spring. A dedicated wall at Ashawagh Hall will honor Schwabe, celebrating his work, friendship, and lasting influence on the artists who painted alongside him for more than a decade.
An accomplished painter and sculptor, Schwabe was a founding member of water+color+works, an East End arts group whose members have gathered to paint together once a week for more than ten years. The only gentleman among a group of seven women, Schwabe was known not only for his singular and experimental approach to watercolor, but also for his generosity, humor, and unwavering encouragement of his fellow artists.
His contributions extended well beyond his own artwork. Over the years, Schwabe helped make the group’s exhibitions possible in countless ways, consistently giving his time and energy while also supporting individual members.
This year’s exhibition will celebrate the spirit he brought to the group and the important role he played in its history.