This year at Newfields Art Museum of Indianapolis, watercolor is a large theme in their temporary exhibitions. From the historic pieces of J.M.W. Turner, a forefather of watercolor to the modern local artists competing in a competition dedicated to watercolor, this art could be found within the state’s radius as Newfields was displaying the 43rd watercolor annual juried show.
Students had a chance to check this exhibit for free with a year membership at Newfields Indianapolis Art Museum. The membership provides access to the main museum and garden. For other exhibits like the Lume, the price is a fraction of what a regular attendee would pay at $10 dollars Tuesday through Friday. Weekends are full price.
Turner’s paintings expressed the common themes of blues and browns. His paintings showed a large amount of wide scenic landscapes with flow as a common theme. His style expressed very detailed rich small brush strokes and a large amount of water control when it came to pigment and sharpness. In watercolor, the amount of water expresses the pigment.
Watercolor has expanded past its formal uses as an informal art form. On the first floor beside the giftshop, behind glass windows, was the 43rd Annual Juried Exhibition of the Watercolor Society of Indiana. This exhibit housed a wide collection of artists who varied from students to professionals in the field. It ranged from abstract artwork to the typical landscape along with various portraits displayed. The room popped with color that would catch your eye if you missed it on the way to the gardens or giftshop.
The Watercolor Society of Indiana organization is a membership based nonprofit that allows artists around the state to get more involved within the community and use many benefits including classes and chances to showcase their art. They even offer a student membership at a lower cost for young artists. They work towards educating others about the medium of watercolor. Students can join the watercolor society with a $25 dollar membership and have access to classes.
The Watercolor Society of Indiana ran this exhibit as a competition among some of the best across the state. It was judged by internationally renowned judges that are flown in to inspect the pieces.
Walking among the pieces encapsulated the amount of skill level expected. This exhibit was on display from Sept. 5 through Nov. 1. It was full of colorful landscapes and abstract pieces created by local Indiana artists.
“You have to be a member to enter. About a hundred people entered to be in it,” said Tanya Roberts, the executive director of WSI, about the juried show. “We have a judge who chooses forty five to be in the show and we always choose like an internationally known judge, where we send them images digitally, he or she chooses their forty five and we fly them into Indy to judge the forty five in person and we give away prizes to the top ten.”
A trip to Newfields is a colorful adventure of art in many forms. From past to present, popular to niche, beautiful to thought-provoking, textile to fine art and vessel to sculpture, Newfields Indianapolis Art Museum is a look into the human experience through the years. Students of all backgrounds could benefit from this historical trek and documentation of creativity.
“The more we learn about who and how we were in the past, the better we understand ourselves as humans, as well as our own era in history. And that’s important for everyone," said Anna Stein, Associate Curator of Works on Paper for the J.M.W. Turner exhibition, “Luminous Horizons.”
This year, Newfields has highlighted watercolor across multiple of their exhibits. A beloved art in its rich form showcased to teach and spread the love for its history and what is still to come.
Devin Bates (they/he) is a journalism major at IU Indianapolis with an interest in writing and the arts. In their free time they also enjoy crafts like cosplay and listening to music.
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