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A Tour of the new WAS-H Building
Jack Bowen, 1922-2011
WAS-H's Driving Force
George Rustay,
Mary Glover Rustay, (President 1978-79)
Emory Glover,
Mary Wood Glover, Board member
Lee Weiss
Alexander Ross
WAS-H Recipient of Bowen Library
Jack and Annis Bowen have given their
library of art books to WAS-H. The books,
in excess of 250, contain works in various
media as well as instructional books.
The Board has decided to keep the library
intact as opposed to merging into the
WAS-H existing art library. Various scenario sare being considered for storage and making the library available to all WAS-H members. The library is just one of the many generous gifts given to WAS-H byJack and Annis, for which we give them another big thank you.
Guest Artists' Demo Paintings
If you haven’t noticed, please look
to your right as you walk up the stairs
of our building. This is our guest artist
wall. When we invite a guest artist, he
or she will often donate a painting. We
have it framed, and Steve Brenner hangs
it.
Thanks to a generous donation from Marsha Harris, we now have a portable DVD Player for our library. Dale Laitinen, our Juror for the 2010 Annual Member's Exhibit, has also donated his instructional DVD, "The Language of the Landscape". 
35th WAS-H Anniversary Celebration
& September Members Show Reception September 17, 2010
Early members Margaret Bock, Jen Blalock, Ruby Allen, (First Place
Winner in the September Monthly Show), Ann Papavassiliou and
Acree Carlisle enjoy the WAS-H Celebration Septembe 17, 2010.
Founders and Charter Members honored at the November Reception
The November Monthly Membership Gallery Show Reception
November 12 ,2010 honored WAS-H Founding and Charter members.
35 paintings by Founding and Charter Members Upstairs
Watercolor Art Society-Houston
Founded in 1975, the Watercolor Art Society – Houston (WAS-H) is a non-profit organization with over 600 members. For over 35 years, WAS-H has brought the excitement of water-media to the greater Houston area with outstanding exhibitions, world-class instruction and dedicated community outreach. Year-round opportunities are provided to every level of painter, from novice to the seasoned expert. Art lovers can also enjoy year-round exhibitions in our gallery in the Museum District. Board of Directors
Jack Bowen, 1922-2011
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of
William Jackson "Jack" Bowen. Jack Passed away Sunday, March 20, after a
period of declining health.
Jack Bowen's impact upon our organization was profound. He loved watercolor and wished to make it accessible to as many people as possible, He was instrumental in helping WAS-H secure funding for our present location.
It is an understatement to say that Jack's vision and determination to build
WAS-H's new building in the early 2000's were important to WAS-H's growth. For years Jack insisted that WAS-H needed a new, larger building for exhibitions and a beautiful classroom where watercolor could be taught.
It was through his insistence, commitment and determination that we opened our beautiful new building in 2006, the first building in the country built specifically for the exhibition and instruction of watercolor.
We extend our condolences to Mrs. Bowen (Annis) and
to the entire Bowen family.
In the Beginning WAS-H was not known as WAS-H
by Margaret Bock
In 1969, there was no organization in Houston where watercolor artists could meet and network. Several like-minded artists began to mold the parameters of an organization that would further the cause of and interest in the art of painting using the watercolor medium. Under the guidance of Eldon Sams, who had some experience insimilar societies, the following artists (to the best of my knowledge) got to work.
They decided that since they were a small group, becoming a chapter of the Southwestern Watercolor Society with headquarters in Dallas, Texas, would be a wise decision. SWS had earned a fine reputation, and their by-laws were in place. All chapters paid a portion of their dues to SWS. Each chapter had a representative (their President) on the SWS Board. Members of each chapter were eligible to enter the SWS annual membership exhibitions and SWS open exhibitions. The Houston Chapter also held their own exhibitions, as did the others. Follow The Birth of WAS-H by decade by contributors Margaret Bock, Susan Giannantonio, Marsha Harris Solomon and A.J. Schexnayder.
in August, September, October, November and December 2010 Washrags.
Susan Giannantonio meets with Jack Bowen, then CEO of Transco Energy.
In 1992, Jack Bowen was the Honorary Chairman when the Watercolor Art Society-Houston bought the original building and property at 1601 West Alabama. He, with the Capital Campaign Chairman Linda Tibolla and a small fundraising committee (Roy Hughes, Karen George, Doris Childress, Faber McMullen to name a few) retired that mortgage in four years.
In 2000, he felt strongly that we should build a new facility so more of Houston’s community could “have state-of-the-art demonstrations, exhibitions, classes, a library.” It was his insistence that pushed us to find solutions to the questions and problems as we encountered them, meeting after meeting, for two years while we put our plan together for that new building. As everyone on the building committee will remember, he wanted this done.
He was driven. Determined. I was inspired and learned a great deal, working alongside such a gifted artist and visionary. Just a few years later at the groundbreaking, most of the money had already been raised to build the new facility; the remaining funds would be in hand before the building was complete.
Without Jack Bowen, there would never have been the Jack Bowen Building at the Watercolor Art Society-Houston. by Susan Giannantonio
WAS-H's Past Exhibitions can be seen
in EXHIBITION ARCHIVES
EXHIBITION ARCHIVES
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WAS-H 0ffice
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About Was-h, The History