Aqueous 2025
THE 48TH NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Celebrating 48 years of awarding the talents of national artists
LexArts / ArtsPlace
161 n. mill Street
Lexington, KY 40507
September 12, 2025 - November 2,, 2025
Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm | Monday CLOSED
KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY GOLD AWARD
KWS PRIZE $1,500 CASH
Abel Marquez
“The Nut Connection”
$6,200, 10x14
welcome from the show chair
It has been a true honor to serve as Show Chair for the Kentucky Watercolor Society’s Aqueous 2025 National Exhibition. This year’s show has brought together a stunning collection of watercolor paintngs from artists across the United States, each one demonstrang the remarkable versatility, beauty, and power of this medium. To walk into the gallery and see such an inspiring range of voices expressed through watercolor is both humbling and exhilarating.
We are deeply grateful to LexArts for hosting the exhibition in their beautiful gallery space. Nathan Zimmerman and his outstanding team have been generous partners in helping us share this art with the community. Their support extended far beyond the walls of the gallery, with creative outreach opportunities such as downtown painting during Thursday Night Live, a lively artist reception, and a children’s painting class. These events have enriched the experience of the exhibition and offered new ways for people of all ages to connect with watercolor.
Our juror, Tim Oliver, brought thoughtful discernment and a generous spirit to the selection of paintings and awards. His vision shaped this exhibition into the extraordinary show you see today, and we are grateful for the care and professionalism he devoted to the task. In addition, Tim shared his experse with us through a fun and engaging watercolor workshop, which was fun, inspiring, and educational for all who attended.
Finally, I want to thank all of the artists who submitted work and those whose paintings are represented here. Your creativity, skill, and courage in sharing your art are the heartbeat of this exhibition. Together, you have created a show that truly celebrates watercolor at its finest.
It has been a joy to share this journey with you, and I hope that everyone who visits Aqueous 2025 leaves inspired by the beauty and diversity of watercolor painting.
Marian O’Shaughnessy
Show Chair, Aqueous 2025
JUROR’S STATEMENT
It was an honor to serve as a judge for this year’s exhibition.
The entries were, without exception, outstanding. The styles, subject matter, and painting processes were remarkably diverse. This made judging both exciting and extremely challenging. The exhibition included landscapes, cityscapes, abstract works, and representational pieces. Still lifes appeared alongside poignant figurative works. Hyperrealism and abstract expressionism were displayed alongside impressionist and loose representational styles. What an extraordinary collection of art!
As we all know, judging art can be a subjective exercise. While subjectvity is inescapable, I sought to temper it with objective analysis in order to judge the works fairly and competently. To that end, I considered principles such as composition, value, harmony, balance, originality, creativity, and technical expertise.
The decisions were often difficult and nuanced, but I believe every award winner was truly deserving. Congratulaons to all the entrants on a job well done!
Tim Oliver
KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY SILVER AWARD
KWS PRIZE $1000 CASH
Tony Armendariz
“Luis”
$3,500, 25.5 x 14.5
KENTUCKY WATERCOLOR SOCIETY BRONZE AWARD
KWS PRIZE $750 CASH
Jackie Dorsey
“Blues Legend Tinsley Ellis”
$3,200, 27 x 21
Malcolm b. bird award
$1000 CASH PRIZE
Z.L. Feng
“Moon River Boating”
$3,500, 27 x 21
kentucky SIGNATURE award
$500 CASH PRIZE
Stephen Kuhlman
“NYC #1”
NFS, 20.5 x 13
KENTUCKY ARTIST AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Elaine West
“Welcome Post”
$1,800, 22x27
BLICK ART MATERIALS AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Rick Anderson
“Rural Waterfront”
NFS, 11.5 x 30
FLEUR DE BLEU CREATIONS (MIDWAY) AWARD
$500 CASH PRIZE
Chris Krupinski
“Bird’s Eye View iii,”
$5,000, 30x22
Dr. Maynard Stetten Award
$500 CASH AWARD
Gary Brooks
“Another Man’s Treasure”
$2,200, 28x20
Claudia M. George Memorial Award
$500 CASH PRIZE
William McKeown
“Arches”
NFS, 20x12
Wyn Ericson Memorial Award
$500 CASH AWARD
Lynne Kroll
“Moon Indigo”
$1,200, 22x30
M. GRAHAM & CO. AWARD
$475 GIFT CARD
Thomas Schroeder
“Spring Thaw Trumpeters”
$2,400, 30x22
GEORGE & NORMA TAIBI SPONSORSHIP MEMORIAL AWAR$150
$150 CASH AWARD
HK HOLBEIN INC. MERCHANDISE AWARD
$250 CASH AWARD
Anne Hightower-Patterson
“Blue, White, and Red”
$2,400, 15x20
GOLDEN ARTIST COLORS AWARD
$350 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Susan Stuller
“Ascension”
$3,500, 29 x 21
JACK RICHESON & CO. AWARD
$300 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Kathryn Wedge
“Wild Bird Seed”
$1,200, 29 x 21
ROYAL & LANGNICKLE BRUSH CO. AWARD
$250 MERCHANDISE AWARD
J. Anna Roberts
“A Bit Too Close”
$2,500, 14.75 x 28.5
JAMES “SCOTTY” MCARTHUR AWARD
$100 CASH AWARD
SILVER BRUSH CO. MERCHANDISE AWARD
$100 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Peggy Bishop
“Cherry Coke”
$4,500, 27X19
SILVER BRUSH CO. + HK HOLBEIN, INC. MERCHANDISE AWARDS
$200 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Sandra Carpenter
“Sunday Morning”
$1,250, 18 x 22
DIXON TICONDEROGA MERCHANDISE AWARD
$125 MERCHANDISE AWARD
KWS CASH AWARD
$75 CASH AWARD
Anil Vinayakan
“Hay Barn”
NFS, 20X28
LOGAN GRAPHICS PRODUCTS + SILVER BRUSH CO. MERCHANDISE AWARDS
$200 MERCHANDISE AWARDS
George Gow
“Resonance,”
$400, 18 x 22
JOURNEYARTSTUFF.COM + SILVER BRUSH CO. MERCHANDISE AWARD
$200 MERCHANDISE AWARD
Christopher Wynn
“Flash Light”
$2,000, 21x29
