Richard Bennett (1899?1971) was a nationally known printmaker, painter, and illustrator, born in Ireland but raised in Washington State. He later divided his time between New York City and Seattle. A leading children's book author and illustrator, he received national recognition for his woodblock prints and engravings. He was part of the inner circle of leading Northwest artists including Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, Kenneth Callahan, and Guy Anderson. In New York he became close to a group of artists and scholars that included the Abstract Expressionist Theodoros Stamos, etcher Thomas...

One of the state's oldest arts organizations, Women Painters of Washington was founded in 1930 with the aim of overcoming limitations faced by women artists. Over its 75-year history, the group has counted among its members talented artists of national prominence whose stories have not been widely shared, until now.

From founding members' early efforts to support fellow women artists, to contemporary members' cultural exchanges and international exhibitions, David F. Martin tells the story of Women Painters of Washington. He examines members' artistic achievements and the...

Austere Beauty is the first major survey of Vanessa Helder's life and artistic career. Born in Washington State, Helder (1904?1968) began her artistic training at the University of Washington and then relocated to New York to study at the Art Students League. She then returned to Washington to work for the WPA Federal Art Project at the Spokane Art Center.

In 1943 she relocated to Los Angeles, where she became deeply involved in the local art scene and the California Watercolor Society, for the remainder of her career. Helder's exhibition history encompassed not only regional...

During 2014-2015, Northwest Watercolor Society celebrates its 75th anniversary. The society has attracted many of the most accomplished regional watercolorists as members and exhibitors, and is one of the earliest and most successful continuing arts organizations in the history of Washington State. A Fluid Tradition: Northwest Watercolor Society . . . The First 75 Years - richly illustrated with color reproductions and artist biographies - reestablishes the reputations of many early society members while giving a glimpse of rare works by some of today's leading regional...