The California Watercolor Association (CWA) recently hosted Carla O'Connor at its first workshop of 2007, one of many workshops planned for the year. The association, in fact, is one of the largest and most active watermedia organizations in California, offering scholarships and awards; approximately 12 exhibitions a year, including a national show; a newsletter; a video library; and a monthly general meeting that features a demonstration by a guest artist. Upcoming workshops will feature Karen Frey, July 20 through 22, and Ron Ranson, September 17 through 21.

Paintings completed by CWA members: Canyon Dance by Robin Purcell. Preparing for Eclipse by Pablo Villicana-Lara.

The CWA also offers an active outreach program in which it invests 15 percent of its members' art sales to student art education. The CWA funds, along with a grant by the Kaiser Permanente Foundation, allow volunteers to teach and demonstrate watercolor techniques to students attending Contra Costa County schools. The outreach program also sponsors or co-sponsors a student art show each year, awarding ribbons and $500 in cash prizes. Each June the volunteers organize an all-day painting workshop for art teachers in which each participant is given a supply of paper and paint to take back to the classroom.
The 39th National Exhibition of the California Watercolor Association will take place October 6 through December 2 at the Presidio Officers' Club Exhibition Hall, in San Francisco. Organizers anticipate more than $12,000 in awards. The slide deadline for submissions is June 1.
For more information about the California Watercolor Association, visit www.californiawatercolor.org.