The Hartselle Fine Arts Center is hosting one of the biggest events in its history this month and next month.

The Watercolor Society of Alabama’s 72nd National Exhibition is underway at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. More than 100 paintings are on display throughout the facility.

The artwork features a wide variety of artistic styles, even though all of the paintings are watercolor paintings.

You might get a little bit of sticker shock when you see the prices of the art, but then again, this art show is on a much different level than your normal art show. Some of the art is priced as high as $8,000.

I know I can’t afford probably the least expensive painting in the show, but that’s not the reason to attend this show.

More importantly, this is a great opportunity to promote the arts in our community. When will we be able to get an opportunity to see this type of an art show in Hartselle? Not very often.

I hope this will inspire local students – young and old – to continue to pursue their passion of art.

The response from this show has been overwhelming. Here’s the response of the main judge of this show:

“This is the finest exhibition of watercolor paintings I’ve seen in my 15 years of judging shows,” said Richard Stephens of Hot Springs, Ark. “Of the 120 paintings on exhibit I’ve found 52 deserving of an award. It’s a world class show in every respect.”

And it’s great to have that right here in our Fine Arts Center, which is on its way to becoming a world class facility of its own.

I’d like to commend everyone involved with bringing this show to Hartselle. I know it’s been a lot of work, but I think its something that we’ll look back and have a sense of pride.

I hope that this will lead to more shows like this in the future.

Brent Maze is the managing editor of the Hartselle Enquirer.