April 2nd, 2024

2024 ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

Election into the American Watercolor Society as a Signature Member is a sought-after distinction in the painting world. Back in January, I received the highly-anticipated email from the AWS: "We are pleased to inform you that your work has been accepted into the 157th Annual Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society".

Blue Winter" was my third accepted piece, which gives me the honor of including "AWS" after my name on future paintings.

The exhibition was held in New York City at the renowned Salmagundi Club April 2-26, 2024. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the April 9th reception. Two of my former students, and excellent artists in their own right were in attendance. Congratulations to David Becker and Tony Armendariz who were juried into the show, and to Tony, who received his AWS designation that evening.

Antonio Masi, President of ​the American Watercolor Society

David Becker with "Bill Bally's Historical
​Back Building

---

Tony Armendariz and
​ "Mr. Stripes"

---

While taking watercolor painting classes with Mr. Irving Shapiro, AWS, he encouraged all of his students to submit paintings to the AWS. I did that for a few years, but none were accepted. When I was hired by Mr. Shapiro to teach drawing and painting classes, I stopped submitting paintings for awhile to concentrate on teaching. When I retired from teaching full-time in 2000, I put my focus back into painting. In 2019 I submitted a piece I felt worthy for the AWS, but it was not accepted. The rejection letters came again in 2020 and 2021.

Finally in 2022, "Fishing on the Vermillion River" was juried in! In 2023-"Cataba Falls" was accepted. And most recently, "Blue Winter". As Tony said: "Never give up kids!"