Sedona News – The city invites the public to save the date for its next artist reception on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers and the Vultee Conference Room at City Hall, where juried paintings created by members of Northern Arizona Watercolor Society (NAWS) are on display through August 27, 2025 and celebrate the organization’s 30-year existence. Special music guest will be Solomon Morris.
The exhibition in the Council Chambers features 35 out of 79 submissions of watercolor paintings, selected by juror Kim Johnson, a signature member of seven watercolor societies. The Vultee Conference room will feature an anniversary exhibit consisting of memorabilia and paintings by long time and founding artists of NAWS. An eclectic collection of watercolor paintings ranging from local and classical landscapes and townscapes, to portraits, still life, florals and animals will be at both locations of the exhibit.
In 1980 the organization had its informal beginning when Anna Mary Seyfert, a member of the Arizona Watercolor Association, moved to Sedona from Phoenix and started her own local chapter. In 1995 the group started its own 501(c) nonprofit and became NAWS. The organization has grown to almost 100 members from Sedona, the Verde Valley, Flagstaff and the greater Prescott area, as well as from Phoenix.
The group meetings at the Village Baptist Church are open to guests and occur monthly on the fourth Friday from either August or September through May. A big attraction offered to members of NAWS are the multi-day workshops taught by nationally known instructors several times a year. There is one juried exhibition per year and one to two exhibits open to all NAWS members at the Community Library Sedona. Several small monthly critique groups are also offered, as well as a DVD lending library consisting of art instruction videos available to members. A new edition is offering beginning watercolor classes to those not in the organization.
“The last time I exhibited NAWS paintings at the city was in 2017. It is wonderful to have this talented group back, especially in honor of their 30th anniversary. It is impressive that one woman had the vision to initiate the Sedona chapter so long ago, which currently reaches almost 100 artists in communities all over the Verde Valley. My hopes are that the community takes time to view this special milestone exhibit,” said Arts and Culture Specialist Nancy Lattanzi.
More information
In addition to the artist reception, there will be a meet and greet with a few of the NAWS artists on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 4 – 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Private viewings are available by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, or for more information on the City Hall Art Rotation Program, please contact Lattanzi at 928-203-5078 or NLattanzi@SedonaAZ.gov.