This year, from August 1 through September 2, the American Impressionist Society (AIS) is presenting its 26th annual National Juried Exhibition in Hamilton, Montana, at Cassens Fine Art. AIS received 1,750 submissions for the juried show, from which only 166 paintings were selected by the organization’s top-tier artists.
An additional 15 paintings by AIS Masters, board members and officers will also be part of the exhibition. Collectors can expect paintings in oil, casein, pastel, oil sticks, watercolor, acrylic and gouache by many of the most acclaimed impressionist artists working today.
Mary Dolph Wood, Still Life with Sunflowers and Poppies, oil on linen, 24 x 22 in.
Among them is Lea Doise, whose landscape Evening Light was selected to be in the show. “My painting allows me the time and space to study the often-overlooked aspects of the world around us, closely observing its patterns, textures, shapes, colors and most importantly, all of the emotions evoked by these observations,” shares Doise. “My work is a celebration of the ever-changing light and beauty that surrounds us.”
Mary Dolph Wood will be showing a still life of sunflowers and poppies ablaze in hues of autumn. “As a painter, I am fascinated with color, texture and the mystery of light and shadow,” says Wood. “My aim is to bring out the beauty I see in the shapes and lighting of each still life I set up.”
Julie Rogers, Little Lamb, pastel, 36 x 23½ in.
“Monhegan Island does seem to have a magic to it, says Daniel Corey of the storied Maine artist colony. “One of my earliest and biggest successes in the art world was winning an artist’s residency on Monhegan Island,” says the artist. “So it is fitting that this nocturne painting of Fish Beach would be my entry into the American Impressionist Society show.
Daniel Corey, Monhegan Dreaming, oil on canvas, 11 x 14 in.
“I find the color harmony I see at nighttime to be original and very paintable,” continues Corey. “Painting outdoors at night seems to let you find your place between accuracy and freedom more easily, and you can barely see your painting, never mind anyone else that might critique it.”
These are only a handful of the artists vying for the $12,000 prize for Best in Show, and the nearly $80,000 additional in cash and merchandise awards, which will be presented on July 31 at the Bitterroot Inn and Conference Center. The official opening reception will be held on August 1 at Cassens Fine Art. On August 2, there is a one-day “Wet Wall” exhibition featuring approximately 40 paintings created during the opening week by AIS members. Highlights of the days leading up to the show include a week-long Paint Out, workshop, plein air painting on a 10,000-acre ranch, critiques, panel discussions and artist painting demos, that are open to AIS members and the public. Visit the AIS website for details.
Lea Doise, Evening Light, oil on panel, 9 x 12 in.
“Collectors have many options to see this body of work, whether they visit Cassens Fine Art in person, or view the work online at ShowSubmit and Cassens Fine Art,” says AIS executive director Liz Ahrens, adding that a printed catalog of all the work will also be published. “The artwork spans the images from landscapes, still life, interiors to portraits, and all of it is available for purchase.”
The exhibition can be viewed in two online galleries: showsubmit.com/gallery/ais-26th-annual-national-juried-exhibition, and cassensfineart.com/show/cassens-fine-art-american-impressionist-society-26th-annual-national-juried-exhibition#artworks —
American Impressionist Society’s 26th Annual National Juried Exhibition
When: August 1-September 2, 2025
Where: Cassens Fine Art, 215 W. Main Street, Hamilton, MT 59840
Information: (231) 881-7685, www.cassensfineart.com www.americanimpressionistsociety.org
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