“Blossoms and Beyond” at the Bernice Kish Gallery in Wilde Lake

Founded in 1885, the Baltimore Watercolor Society (BWS; https://baltimorewatercolorsociety.org) is today the nation’s third-largest watermedia association, with members from throughout the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Signature Members, qualified through rigorous jurying, produce original art in varied styles but with consistently high quality. Approximately 50 such recent paintings, with many never before on public display, will be exhibited at the Bernice Kish Gallery beginning March 5.

“Blossoms and Beyond” is part of the Howard County-wide group of shows taking place in March 2025 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of local nonprofit Blossoms of Hope (https://blossomsofhope.org/). About two-thirds of the paintings in this exhibit take us into spring with varied takes on a floral theme, from a view of the local Brighton Dam azaleas, cherry blossoms, and Bishop’s Garden roses to bemused pigeons draped in petals.

The remaining third surprise with their range. A shining blue gorilla, a castle of a grain elevator against an ominous sky, Indian arches and Roman domes, abstract dancers and “ancestor whispers on the wind,” and much more will be on view.

This show is open to the public at no charge. The Bernice Kish Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. The Gallery strongly recommends calling ahead to make sure all gallery areas are open.

The opening reception and awards presentation for “Blossoms and Beyond: BWS Signature Member Exhibition” will be held on Sunday, March 9 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia, Maryland. The event is complimentary; registration is requested.

The Juror of Awards for “Blossoms and Beyond” is Michael Kotarba, an award-winning landscape painter residing in Baltimore. Active in both plein air and studio painting, he is a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society,  the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association and BWS (where he holds Watermedia Master Elite status). He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

To register for the opening reception/awards presentation, click here. For additional information on “Blooms and Beyond: A BWS Signature Member Exhibit,” please contact Karly Maroney at 410-730-3987; events@wildelake.org.

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