Sunday, March 3, 2013

Sunny Meadows

The Washington Society of Landscape Painters is celebrating its Centennial this year.  Founded in 1913 by two government workers painting on location (probably in Rock Creek Park), the organization is one of the oldest painting groups in the United States.  

During the 20s and 30s, they were very active with meetings, paint outs, and exhibits as far away as Wisconsin and Louisiana. World War II and the emergence of various modern art movements put a damper on its popularity during the 40s, 50s, and 60s.  But in the last several decades, landscape painting and plein air painting have practically become a national pastime. 

In the early days of the society, the members held an annual banquet at the Arts Club of Washington, which had been the elegant home of President James Monroe. Following in that tradition, the Centennial Exhibition will also be held at the Arts Club of Washington.

As president for the last six years, I am extremely proud to be a part of this prestigious organization. I have seen it flourish with the inclusion of the best landscape painters in the Washington Metropolitan area.  For more information, click here for the WSLP website where you'll find a link to the exhibit and the article in American Art Review.

The above painting, Sunny Meadows, is my exhibition piece.  The exhibit opens Friday evening, April 5 with a reception open to the public from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Click here for more details.