Guild of Volunteers eNewsletter

Learning About the Challenges & Opportunities of Watercolor

Roberta Lavey, Jane Bentas, Pat Howard, Peggy Rogers. Photo by Carolyn Hollman

Spring training focused on watercolors and not only prepared us to lead visitors through the exhibition but greatly enriched our understanding and appreciation of this medium. Starting in February, Educator for Tour and Docent Programs Jane Seney, offered us lots of terrific articles that covered everything from watercolor techniques to the history of watercolor to individual artists to past watercolor exhibitions.

Ann Domingue and Jane Seney. Photo by Carolyn Hollman

At our February 23 meeting, artist and Art Center instructor Ann Domingue demonstrated watercolor techniques, explaining how artists Demuth, Hassam, Homer, Hopper, and Prendergast achieved various effects in their works. She simulated how some artists began with pencil drawings, scraped, blotted, layered, added and subtracted paint, water, charcoal, and pastels to achieve their singular effects. Her presentation illustrated both the challenges and the opportunities of watercolor over other media.

In March, Susan Strickler led a walk-through for docents when the exhibition opened and Paper Conservator Judith Walsh added to our growing body of information with her explanation of the importance and effects of different kinds of paper used by watercolorists.

Also in March, we greeted Nina Bozicnik, the Currier's new assistant curator. Nina introduced herself and her specialty in contemporary art, explaining her belief that the context in which art is made is critical to its understanding and appreciation. Nina had us break into small groups, "interpret" various works in the permanent collection, and present our findings to the larger group. This exercise elicited wonderful conversations, including provocative comments by Nancy Zadravec on Adolph Gottlieb's From Midnight to Dawn, Barbara Shepler on Mark di Suvero's Origins, and Sally Shea on Richard Anuszkiewicz's Primary Contrast, among others. Nina will curate the exhibition George Sherwood : In Delicate Balance coming in late May.

At our April 6 meeting, Chief Curator Andrew Spahr presented an illustrated lecture on the collections of Henry Melville Fuller and on his contributions and enormous legacy to the Currier Museum. At the same meeting, Carolyn Hollman focused on some "Provocative Portraits."

Jeffery Smith.
Photo by Pat Howard

On April 6 we regretfully said our final farewells to Jeffery Smith, our unflappable group tour and educator resource administrator, with a toast of cake and good wishes. We will miss his sunny disposition, his efficient scheduling of scores of school tours, and his ready smile. We wish him and his family all the best.

Your docent steering committee wants your feedback about all things tour and museum related. Due to time constraints, we have been unable to hold feedback sessions after docent meetings. So we ask you to contact any of the committee members with your comments, suggestions, kudos, or anything else on your mind. The current committee members are Jane Bentas, Carolyn Hollman, Pat Howard, Nancy Johnson, Ann Richardson, and Carol Tingleff. We want to hear from you!

Carolyn Hollman, Museum Docent Chair
chollman@aol.com