User:Mrs.Demure/sandbox

'Bayview Watercolour Society (BWS) in Ontario, Greater Toronto Area. (2002-2016)'

The Bayview Watercolour Society, in short BWS, was started by a group of art lovers in the Greater Toronto Area in 2002. Its aim was to gather all artists who paint in any water-based media to build interaction and camaraderie through a supportive environment that included regular monthly meetings, art demonstrations, workshops, critiques and art shows. Meetings usually took place in community centres in the evenings.

The name Bayview was chosen because the group of artists who founded the society lived along the road named "Bayview" that extends from Toronto to the Greater Toronto Area.

The Group held shows every year, juried and non juried. Their earliest show was at the Toronto Botanical Gardens and later ones were at McKay Art Centre in Markham; Boynton House, Richmond Hill for the Performing Arts and Burr House in Richmond Hill; Macdonald House and William Armstrong House in Vaughan. It had also taken part in the Thornhill Village Festivals and the Richmond Hill Heritage Festivals.

The society was a non profit organization and depended on membership fees throughout their 14 years. Membership reached around 70 at one point but unfortunately started to decline over the last 6-7 years that made operation difficult. Quite a number of members either moved, retired or were no longer able to come due to changes in personal circumstances. BWS ceased operation after their last show "Luminosity 2016" at the McKay Art Centre. The group had been very active throughout its 14 years in promoting art and fostering a close connection with the local art community.

BWS was the main initiator behind the conversion of Boynton House into an art exhibition venue for the Richmond Hill community in 2012. It was the first group to exhibit there as part of Culture DaysMrs.Demure (talk) 21:31, 16 October 2016 (UTC) in 2012, after the old heritage building was renovated and hanging systems installed.

BWS shows had always been most welcoming to the local community as the works on display were of high standard and presentation.