Our History

The Watercolor Society of North Carolina, Inc. (WSNC) is a professional, non-profit art organization. Our purpose is to strengthen and promote watercolor throughout the state through workshops taught by nationally recognized artists, juried exhibitions, peer review and regional art exhibitions.

Lexington artist and businessman, A. Stuffer Myers, began organizing WSNC in 1972. He contacted artists, galleries, and art guilds across the state, all of which gave support. The charter meeting was held on August 19, 1972 with 18 charter members. Our 18 charter members were: A. Stuffer Myers, Dixie Browning, Jerry Fouts, W.E. Haltom, Odessa Holshouser, Don King, Elizabeth Lawson, Curtis Leonard, Jr., Gertha Love, Mary May, Connie McNeill, Katherine Montgomery, Gertrude Myers, Norma Owen, Edith Saunders, Gerald Schoonover, Katherine Skipper, and Bob Timberlake.

In September of 1972, Winston-Salem artist, Dixie Browning became the first president. Attended by 80 artists, our first meeting was in Greensboro with guest artist Barclay Sheaks. The first exhibition, juried by Frank Getlein, was at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in spring 1973. Incorporation of WSNC occurred in 1979. Our logo was created in 2014, by WSNC member Richard Staat. We use it consistently on all of our published materials.

In 1999, the idea of a Signature Membership came to the forefront and was approved by members on February 24, 1999. Signature Membership recognizes the achievements of qualified members and signifies an advanced level of competency. It is merited by two first through fifth place awards in two, separate, statewide juried WSNC exhibitions, or by acceptance into three, separate, juried statewide WSNC exhibitions. Once an artist has begun qualification under either method, membership in WSNC and payment of annual dues must be continuous to be eligible for and to retain Signature Membership status. Signature Members are entitled to use the initials “WSNC” after their names on any painting in water media.

A volunteer Board of Directors supervises activities. We invite anyone interested in the arts to support WSNC by becoming a member.