Alice Webb has waited three years for this ? the opening of her students? exhibit, New Visions in Watercolor. The all-watercolor exhibit at the Slayton House Gallery in Columbia shows 50 of the best paintings created during the past year from 35 of her Sunburst Studio students.
The exhibit?s subject matter varies as much as the artists? styles and experience, said Webb, Sunburst Studio founder and New Visions curator.
Exhibiting artist Kelly Davis waited for two years to become one of Webb?s students, she said. “I?m one of the lucky ones.”
The waiting list for Webb?s Sunburst Studio is 40-people deep.
Known jokingly as the flower child of Sunburst students, Davis, who started painting eight years ago, depicts flowers and will continue because “florals come from my heart,” she said. “I capture my favorite place, my garden, to bring indoors year round. My garden is a living painting.”
Davis? favorite painting is on view in New Visions, she said. “It?s a monster in size, about a meter wide.”
In eight years, Davis has rarely missed a class with Webb, she said. “I go twice the next Wednesday if I do.”
“They?re the greatest group of people,” Webb said with genuine affection about her students. “I love them all. Everyone works together, no matter if they are a beginner, intermediate or advanced because we learn more from seeing what other people do.”
Students quickly overcome “their fear of mud” during the first year while limiting their palettes to the primary colors, she added. “If you can paint with watercolor you can paint with anything.”
Webb hopes the show gives viewers “a dictionary of watercolor techniques,” she said.
“Alice?s shows are always good,” said Gallery Director Bernice Kish. “The students all have a great philosophy about life because of Alice and that?s reflected in their work.”
Artists can only exhibit at Slayton House once every three years because of the long line of artists waiting to show there, Kish said. “I?m booking 2009 now. I try to give everyone a chance.”
New Visions in Watercolor
» Slayton House Gallery, Wilde Lake Village, Columbia
» Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Nov. 10
» Opening reception: Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m.
» 410-730-3987,
