Featured Artist Rita Carrington Read more about the Featured Artist Program

Copyright © 2007 Rita Carrington

Links to Artists sites Carol LeMee Pat Maertz Carla Seyger (Van Velze) Shirley Thomas

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Lyn Bryan Golden Ears Watercolour on Paper 10.5 x 14.5in. Rita Carrington Waterlily Watercolour on Paper 16.0 x 10.0in. Eileen Farrer Kootenay Mountain Watercolour on Paper 11.0 x 14.0in. Eileen Farrer Big Sky Watercolour on Paper 11.0 x 14.0in. Eileen Farrer Street of Florence Watercolour on Paper 11.0 x 14.0in. Eileen Farrer Porch Peonies Watercolour on Paper 14.0 x 18.0in. Gwen Gregorig Wonderlust 2 Acrylic on Paper 10.0 x 14.0in. Gwen Gregorig Ocean's Depths Acrylic on Paper 18.0 x 14.0in. Etta Hellyer Swooning Swans Watercolour on Paper 10.5 x 8.5in. Carol LeMee Victoria Harbour Watercolour on Paper 16.0 x 20.0in. Carol LeMee Serene Sage Watercolour on Paper 16.0 x 20.0in. Arline MacDonald Unity Watercolour on Paper 10.75 x 14.75in. Carol Portree Ingenuity Acrylic on Paper 10.0 x 4.0in. Carol Portree Mother & Child Watercolour on Paper 16.0 x 20.0in. Carol Portree Free Spirit Watercolour on Paper 18.0 x 24.0in. Carol Portree Ocean print Watercolour on Paper 3.0 x 6.0in. Eugene Ristau Blue Vase Watercolour on Paper 10.0 x 14.0in. Cheryl Shaw Have you seen my mom? Watercolour on Paper 7.0 x 10.0in. Heidi Stewart Spring’s Promise Watercolour on Paper 0.0 x 0.0in. Dawn Strathy Prisoners of Hope Watercolour on Paper 29.0 x 22.0in. Shirley Thomas Red Blossoms Watercolour on Paper 11.0 x 15.0in. Shirley Thomas Tall Impressions Watercolour on Paper 10.5 x 14.5in. Shirley Thomas Working the Fraser Watercolour on Paper 10.75 x 14.5in. Laurie Thomasson Romneya Poppies Watercolour on Paper 14.0 x 16.0in. Marilyn Vooys Arizona Landscape Watercolour on Paper 19.0 x 24.75in. Anne White Raspberries Watercolour on Paper 8.5 x 11.0in.

Meetings The Fraser Valley Watercolour Society meets weekly on Thursday nights at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School in Room N102 at 7:00 p.m. For more information regarding upcoming art demos, meetings or membership, phone Carol Portree at 604 850 9694

Workshops Our demontrations/presentations have been extremely popular with members and visitors - so much so, that we will be taking registrations for these popular events to ensure that we have enough space for each participant. On Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 pm Carol Portree will do a demonstration on "Drawing Light" with white pencil crayon, pastels on dark background. These events are open to non-members for a drop-in fee of $5. Call Carol Portree to reserve your place: 604 850 9694 and get a supply list.

Calendar As far as possible we try to keep to the following monthly schedule of activities: First Thursday: business meeting; Second Thursday: general painting session; Third Thursday: critiques; Fourth Thursday: demonstration/presentation; Fifth Thursday (if there is one):general painting session. Our meetings are held in the Art Room #N102, Abbotsford Senior Secondary School from 7 - 9 pm. We welcome guests and invite watercolourists working at any level to apply for membership.

Shows and Events You are invited to our Annual Spring Show 2009 at the Clearbrook Library, 32320 George Ferguson Way Abbotsford, from Monday, March 23 to Wednesday, April 1, 2009. The Show will feature a wide range of original paintings by local artists. The show will be open to the public during library hours with the Opening of the Show at 10:00 am Monday, March 23, 2009. The Artists’ Reception is also on Monday, March 23rd from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Myrtle-Anne Rempel, Susan Reilly and Gwen Gregorig are our featured artists for this year’s Show. There will be a free draw for an original watercolour painted by Cheryl Shaw at 3:00 p.m on Wednesday, April 1st. Our membership has expanded this year and this exciting influx of new members brings not only new faces but new talent to the group. We look forward to seeing you at the Show.

Executive President - Pat Maertz; Vice President - Anne White; Treasurer - Carol Portree; Secretary - Heidi Stewart; Director at large & Show Coordinator - Marilyn Vooys; Executive Director - Gwen Gregorig Publicity - Anne White

History In 1983, a number of people began to study watercolour painting with Gerry Thompson, AFCA. Over time, we became a close and supportive group, continuing to study each year with Gerry. When she decided to move to Vancouver, our group continued to meet weekly. In august, 1989, about 25 of us met and the Fraser Valley Watercolour Society was born. In 1991 we adopted the following mission statement: "The Fraser Valley Watercolour Society is dedicated to the enrichment, excellence, mutual support and encouragement of its members." In 1993, our group was incorporated and registered in Victoria. We have monthly business meetings and continue to meet weekly from October through May to paint and support each other in our painting endeavours. We have one major show of our new paintings each year, held at the Clearbrook Library. We also show at the Mission Art Centre as well as Kariton House and the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium. The Fraser Valley Watercolour Society is a long time member of the Abbotsford and Mission Arts Councils. We have been fortunate to have their support and encouragement. We generally have two or three guest artists presenting workshops, sometimes just for our members, or with members of other arts organizations.