OCEAN PARK – After almost two decades, one of the Peninsula’s finest artists has received one of the highest honors afforded his profession.

Watercolorist Eric Wiegardt was recently notified that he has been accepted into the American Watercolor Society, located in New York, the most prestigious and oldest watercolor society internationally. AWS accepts between 10 to 14 new members every year. The criteria for membership nomination is to be entered in three of their sponsored shows within 10 year’s time.

“For 20 years that’s been the goal,” said Wiegardt. “I’ve been in two of their shows in the last five years and then the third time I submit for membership.”

He said that he usually only submits one painting per year, but this year, because he was up for membership, he entered two. He and 13 others were chosen to become what is called a “signature member.” Part of that benefit is that he can now put the initials AWS behind his name when signing his paintings, a great honor in watercolor circles.

“It’s a point of recognition, especially when I’m teaching workshops,” said Wiegardt. “If I say I’m a member [of AWS] in my resume, that means a lot.”

It can also have an effect on the business side of things for Wiegardt as well.

“I think it all adds up,’ he said. “It’s cumulative. I think those who understand watercolors and what’s involved would recognize that.”

It is very difficult to become a member of AWS, or even to be entered in one of their sponsored shows. Wiegardt said there are over 1,000 entries from around the world each year.

“Its very competitive. This is the top one, so it’s probably even more so.”

Nationwide, there are about 500 active members of the society, which has existed for 136 years.

In the selection process, his paintings went before a panel of judges, competing with others also up for membership. He has been up for membership the last two years, finally being picked on his third try.

“It’s kind of a pinnacle,” said Wiegardt of being chosen. “I mean, I’ve been shooting for it since I was in college.”

He attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His instructor was a member of AWS, an honor Wiegardt knew he wanted as well.

The painting that earned him his membership portrays oyster dredges in Nahcotta. Many of his works feature Peninsula-area themes, painted in his post-impressionism style. He said the painting was a little out of the ordinary though, in the way he painted it, using warm colors in the background – that would normally go in the foreground.

“I was playing some tricks and breaking some rules,” said Wiegardt. “I was doing it because I wanted to see if I could pull it off. I also wanted to tell them [judges] that, I guess in a way, that we can still have some real nice paintings without following all the rules.”

He said it is fitting that the painting that earned him this high recognition reflected the kinds of things he knows and has painted for almost 20 years.

“In fact, the first one in AWS where I got a medal was also of some oyster dredges,” he said.

Wiegardt grew up working the oyster dredges with his family – his father is Dobby Wiegardt, a long-time owner/operator of Jolly Roger Oysters.

“I feel very comfortable with that,” he said. “We paint best what we know best.”

Wiegardt said he has no plans as of now to attend the annual show this year in New York because of prior commitments, though he said he would certainly like to go. Instead they will mail him his award, one which will feel right at home next to the several others adorning the wall of his office at his Ocean Park studio/gallery. And though a medal or plaque is nice, he said the real benefit is the membership itself and being able to sign his work with the AWS initials.

“That’s what really counts,” said Wiegardt. “And to say I’m a member of that society.”

This is the second honor of note for Wiegardt this year. He and some his paintings were featured in a July 2002 article of American Artist magazine, including a painting he did of the Seaview beach approach on the cover. It is considered one of the top two trade magazines in the business.

Wiegardt also mentioned that his friend, Noel Thomas of Astoria, formerly a longtime resident of Seaview, has been entering the same competition for about the same amount of time, though Thomas earned his membership first.

“His comment was, ‘Now I can die,'” said Wiegardt.

He went on to say that he and his friend had a little competition between themselves in which whoever got selected first would take the other person out to dinner.

“We haven’t done the dinner yet [after Thomas won last year], so we’re going to take each other out,” said Wiegardt.