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The
Watercolor and Graphic Arts Society is probably the oldest arts organization in Mobile. The Society was
an outgrowth of the Bayou Painters group.
It began on June 5, 1948, as simply the “Watercolor
Society of Mobile”, and was then open to Alabama artists only.
There were originally 22 members including Genevieve
Southerland, Edmond deCelle, and Bea Q. Tucker, who is the sole
surviving charter member. William
Bush served as the first president. Many well-known and
well-respected artists have been members since then.
Records indicate that “and Graphic Arts” was added in
1954. Today there are some 90 active and honorary members.
It
is not easy to become a member in the Society.
Two active members must nominate possible members in
writing by the first of January. Then the nominees are formally
invited to apply to join and asked to submit a résumé.
The prospective members must each show two or three
(depending on space) pieces in the Society’s Spring Show.
A secret committee of current members, appointed by the
president from among those not nominating prospective members, then chooses the new members. Those who are not chosen
are welcome to reapply the next year. |
