'Practice, Practice,' watercolor by Gene Gill.

The staff at RiverSea Gallery say they are honored to host the 20 top award-winning paintings from the Fall Show of the Watercolor Society of Oregon. This collection will be on exhibition May 5 through 30.

Twice a year, the WSO holds a juried exhibition for its members. Nationally acclaimed watercolorist Tony Couch juried the exhibition, which was on view April 7 through 9 at the Tualatin Heritage Center in Tualatin. The exhibition was composed of 80 paintings; Couch granted awards to 20 paintings he felt best represented the use of the medium. These award-winning paintings make up the traveling exhibition. RiverSea Gallery is the first stop of the six-month tour.

Couch is an internationally known instructor and author in the medium of watercolor. He has been recognized by winning more than 50 awards during his career as a painter. He is an elected member of the Academic Artists Association, Knickerbocker Artists, Salmagundi Club, the Society of Marine Painters, Watercolor West and the Pittsburgh, Georgia, Southern and Midwest Watercolor Societies. He studied with Edgar Whitney at the Pratt Institute and is author of “Keys to Successful Painting and Watercolor: You Can Do It.”

The Watercolor Society of Oregon is a statewide organization with more than 800 members. It was founded in 1966, and is dedicated to furthering interest in watercolor painting by holding exhibitions of members’ work and by encouraging art education for members and for the viewing public.

‘Beneath the Surface,’ watercolor by Marge Eaton Johnson.The Watercolor Society of Oregon holds juried shows in conjunction with a conference and workshop twice a year.

RiverSea Gallery is open daily at 1160 Commercial St. in the heart of Astoria’s historic downtown. The gallery features contemporary North Coast and Northwest artists, with original fine art and fine craft in all media and distinctive designer jewelry. Regular business hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For information, call the gallery at (503) 325-1270.

An anagama kiln installation by Richard Rowland, “Sanctification of Place,” debuts at RiverSea Saturday, May 13.