Working in isolation may help promote a certain kind of focus, but does solitary effort lead to growth?
Many artists would tell you that once they plug into a community of other artists who are working toward similar goals for excellence in their work, their results take a quantum leap.
Wild Over Watercolor! Guild of Artists has been just such a creative community working out of its home base at the Tualatin Heritage Center for the last 16 years.
Also known as WOW!, this supportive artist community has continued to foster creativity and growth and offers inspiration, a safe space for feedback, collaboration, and shared resources. Participating in art groups like this builds confidence, challenges comfort zones, reduces isolation, and helps artists develop crucial skills like resilience and self-expression, leading to a deeper understanding of one’s self and art.
With a teaching and learning mission, WOW! continues to provide encouragement and practical support, helping artists learn, connect, and advocate for their work more effectively.
At nearly 40 members, WOW! includes members at all stages of development from emerging to professional artists who display in art shows, compete in juried exhibitions for recognition and prizes, and even teach outside of the group via art associations and studio spaces. There are some members, too, who would call themselves hobbyists, and all are welcome and essential to the ecosystem of shared inspiration and support.
Best of all, it is a place where there is freedom to experiment—a non-judgmental space allowing for risk-taking and exploring new techniques without fear, where constructive positive feedback from peers helps refine skills and push each artist to be more, and beyond any limits.
Over the years, Wild Over Watercolor has developed a unique and enviable identity among artist groups because of its shared passion and the special feeling of belonging that defines the group. A genuine feeling of friendship exists in this group where ultimately each member navigates the creative process while also navigating everyday life. You are invited to visit a beautifully visual website that gives a flavor for the group at www.wowiswatercolor.org.
If you are interested to learn more about WOW! and its artists, you are encouraged to contact them through the website and/or visit a group painting session on the 2nd or 4th Friday of the month from 12-3 pm at the THC.
