Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder, CO
September 15-October 22
Calvin Liang, Fishing Boats, oil, 16 x 20.
“I have touched with a sense of art some people—they felt the love and the life,” beloved American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt once said. Today’s U.S. impressionists evoke those same feelings in collectors and enthusiasts who delight in the magical interplay of loose brush strokes, light, color, and form. For the 23rd consecutive year, the American Impressionist Society National Juried Exhibition highlights the best in contemporary impressionist style this fall. With more than 2,000 members nationwide, AIS has grown to be one of the most respected art organizations in the country.
The show, which makes its Boulder, CO, debut at Mary Williams Fine Arts on Thursday, September 15, features 150 juried paintings from 1,200 member submissions. In addition to the juried paintings, select works from AIS board members and master members are on display (and featured here).
- Mark Daly, Bright Beach Day, oil, 9 x 12.
- William Schneider, Robber Baron, pastel, 20 x 16.
- Howard Friedland, Virginia Falls Revisited, oil, 18 x 14.
“The images cover everything from landscapes to portraits, interiors to still lifes, and are just gorgeous,” says Liz Ahrens, the organization’s executive director. Media includes oil, oil sticks, pastel, acrylic, watercolor, casein, gouache, and egg tempera. “While the majority of the show is oil, there’s a variety of media to enjoy, especially when viewed up close to see how the artists work with it,” she adds.
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- Huihan Liu, Dreamy, oil, 16 x 12.
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- Debra Joy Groesser, Late Day Reverie, Narada Lake, oil, 16 x 20.
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- Kim English, On the Bus, oil, 12 x 12.
Although the exhibition is obviously the main attraction, Ahrens encourages collectors not to miss the plein-air painting competition during the opening week. About 30 or so AIS artists take to the mountains, fields, gardens, and other stunning locales throughout the Boulder area to capture scenes in their own impressionistic styles. “It’s exciting, because you never know what you’re going to experience,” Ahrens says. “Will it be warm and sunny? Will there be snow up in the mountains? Regardless, it results in the freshest art of the week.” It’s also the perfect chance for collectors to chat with the artists to learn more about them and their work.
The exhibition kicks off with a reception and awards presentation at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Friday events include a presentation on backcountry painting adventures by Aaron Schuerr. The Montana-based pastelist and AIS signature member expertly combines an infectiously adventuresome spirit with a virtuoso interpretation of the outdoors. Also on tap is a painting demonstration by Huihan Liu, judge of awards and AIS master member who brings an ethereal quality to his subject matter. Be sure to check the website for additional Friday activities.
- Doreen St. John, Down the Rabbit Hole, oil, 24 x 24.
- Camille Przewodek, Riley, oil, 20 x 16.
- Charlotte Dickinson, Back Country Road, oil, 24 x 20.
The opening week culminates on Saturday, September 17, with a paint-out and wet-wall competition and sale. “If you’re a collector, the one-day pop-up wet-wall exhibition is a great opportunity to see and purchase the freshest art,” Ahrens says.
The exhibition catalog is available on the website at the end of August, and exhibition paintings can be purchased directly through the gallery. Ahrens is thrilled by the caliber of work on hand. “These are award-winning artists with accessible price points for their works, particularly for the wet-wall competition,” Ahrens notes. Indeed, there’s something to win the eye—and heart—of every impressionist aficionado. —Beth Williams
contact information
231.881.7685
www.americanimpressionistsociety.org
This story appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Southwest Art magazine.