President's Message-March/April 2026

Greetings everyone,

If you made it to our first meeting of the year, you witnessed some excellent art based on my challenge: “A Touch of Light”. We enjoyed seeing a range of subjects and some very creative approaches to watercolor. Several artists took on the added challenge of talking about their art.

Be sure to attend our next meeting on Monday, March 9^th. The demo artist is Logan Benson, a St. Cloud native with a unique perspective on his time serving in the military.

You can read more about his art on the main page of the website this month. Next month, our own Linda Addicott will lead us in an interactive painting activity. We have many members with unique talents.

The St. Cloud Hospital show was a gorgeous display. I appreciate all the brave souls that put their work out there. I encourage everyone to go through the whole experience of framing and presenting your work. We received many thanks for our display, and we had at least one sale. The Centracare Plaza and Whitney exhibits are coming up, so get your paintings ready.

Several of you have shown art at the CentraCare site in St. Joseph. The board has added that site to our list of regular venues. In addition, we are planning an exhibit at the St. Cloud Library this year, after a long break showing there. More details soon.

Please keep an eye on the website as much as possible. It is now our “go to” place for the latest information.

Kerry

Central Minnesota Watercolorists March Meeting

Monday, March 9th at the Paramount – Lower Level, Studio B or C (TBD)
5:30 Social time
6:00 Introductions
6:15 Announcements
Live Demo by Logan Benson– 6:30-8:30

SHOWS

Our Show Coordinator, Becca, has arranged these Upcoming shows featuring our work:

CentraCare Plaza Show (group show with room for 15- 20 pieces) March 30-April 27. For those of you who signed up, please complete an entry form on the exhibit/show page. This information is for Becca to create labels, etc. and it may also be used for social media and the website.

CentraCare Clinic at St. Joseph (Solo show with room for 9-12 pieces) If you are the slated artist and you want to feature your show on the website and on social media, please contact Janet Stake for a link to the art submission form. Email: [email protected]
The Headache Center in YMCA next to Whitney Center (Solo Show with room for 6-9 pieces) TBD

Email Becca Hlebain-Aaker directly for more information on solo and smaller group shows. [email protected]

Spring Retreat

The CMW Annual Spring Painting Retreat is scheduled for Monday, May 4^th through Thursday, May 7^th at the Riverside Inn and Conference Center. The deadline to sign-up for the retreat was last month. If you are attending and you have any questions, please see Pat Spence. This will undoubtedly be an amazing time for all that will attend!

You may have a private or a shared room with one other person. Cost for a single/private room is $355 for the three nights and four days. Cost of a shared room is $285 per person for the three nights and four days. A deposit of half down is due by the February meeting date.

The accommodation at the Riverside Inn and in uniquely decorated rooms that each contain a mini refrigerator and microwave. Complimentary continental breakfast is provided each morning with several options. We have the use of the commercial kitchen in the conference center if you wish to use it.

Painting is done at individual tables in the well-lit conference center space. You have four days to work on paintings as you wish and enjoy the camaraderie of painting friends.

This has proven to be a popular annual event for CMW. Sixteen rooms have been reserved. We hope you will be one of the 2026 participants.

President's Message-March/April 2026