The Clyde H. Roberts Memorial Award for Best Watercolor went to Harpers Ferry resident Nancy Kautz, for “Emril and the Girls.” Courtesy photo

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts marked the 90th year of the Cumberland Valley Artists and Photographers Exhibitions with many new works by quad-state creators.

Several local winners came from the Eastern Panhandle.

“An annual tradition since 1933, the Cumberland Valley Artists and Photographers Exhibitions showcase, celebrate and support artists of the Cumberland Valley region. This juried exhibition accepts work from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. The exhibitions will be on view from Feb. 11 through April 23,” the official release said.

Artists from the Eastern Panhandle included: Annette Gloomis, of Shepherdstown; Nancy Kautz, of Harpers Ferry; Katherine Santucci, of Hedgesville; Karen Smith, of Hedgesville; Annette Verna, of Charles Town; Cathy Wilkin, of Harpers Ferry; and Elaine Wolfe, of Hedgesville.

Photographers from the Eastern Panhandle included: Gary Bergel, of Kearneysville; and Paula Tremba, of Shepherdstown.

This year’s jurors were Mary Morton, curator and head of the French paintings department at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and Leo Hsu, interim executive director of Silver Eye Center for Photography in Pittsburgh and an instructor in the photography program at Carnegie Mellon University.

“A total of 65 art entries from 61 artists were accepted from the 320 works entered by 127 artists, while a total of 30 photography entries from 25 photographers were accepted from a total of 223 pieces from 77 photographers,” the release said.

This event distributes nearly $5,200 in cash awards to artists and photographers. Support for this exhibition was provided by Conservit Inc., Hugh and Marty Talton, Delaplaine Foundation, Sherry Cramer and Youngblood Studios.

Among the Eastern Panhandle winners, the Second Place Juror’s Award, with a prize of $500, went to Bergel for his photo, “Summer Stillness — Along the Shenandoah.”

The Clyde H. Roberts Memorial Award for Best Watercolor, with a prize of $250, was sponsored by the children of Clyde H. Roberts and went to Kautz for “Emril and the Girls.”

People’s Choice Awards, sponsored by WCMFA, of $100 for an artist and photographer, will be announced at the end of the exhibition. Visitors to the exhibitions may vote for their favorite during the run of the show.

Kautz said her experience with art has developed throughout her adult life.

“I haven’t always been an artist. I studied behavioral health in graduate school and was pretty much focused on my career and family. I took a couple of classes here and there,” she said. “In 2000, I took my first watercolor class and fell in love. Since then, I have taken many watercolor classes and workshops. Ironically, I took a class or two from Kent Roberts at the Washington County Museum of Art classes. He and his sister are responsible for the Clyde Roberts Award for Best Watercolor in Show, in memory of their father. I was honored to be selected for that award.”

She spoke about her piece, “Emril and the Girls,” that is in the Cumberland Valley Artists and Photographers Exhibition. She said it has special significance, because those are her sheep that she raises — Barbados Blackbelly sheep.

“The photo I painted was from the winter of 2016, when we got 40 inches of snow, and my sheep were ‘buried’ up to their necks in snow and wanted fed. There are a total of 12 sheep hidden in the snow. I had wanted to paint that photo for years, but last winter, I decided it was time,” she said.

“Watercolor takes preplanning — on what to paint first, what technique to use. And once the water and paint go on, you are committed. Watercolor is pretty unforgiving and not easily corrected, so one has to be prepared for giving up control and happy accidents. What I love about watercolor is its transparency and glow that no other medium can attain,” she said.

According to Kautz, the Eastern Panhandle is conducive to painting and the arts.

“I paint with the Shepherdstown Friday Painters, which meets weekly. I’m a member of PRAG (Potomac River Art Guild). I am a Lifetime Signature Member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and a Signature Member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society,” she said.

Kautz also shared advice for aspiring artists.

“Paint and draw as often as you can. But mostly to paint what you love and not what you think others might like or what might sell. Somehow, one’s emotion will shine through on a painting one deeply cares about. The painting process is a reward in itself,” she said.

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts is located at 401 Museum Drive in Hagerstown. Free parking is available adjacent to the museum.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays.