In the upcoming exhibition at the Two Villages Art Society (TVAS) in Hopkinton, eight New Hampshire artists will show nature-inspired watercolor paintings.

The exhibition opens Saturday, July 6, at the gallery located at 846 Main Street in the Village of Contoocook. The show begins with a reception from noon to 2 p.m., admission is free and open to the public.

The exhibiting artists are Fred Brewster, Sylvia Brofos, Sophia Eastley, Lenore Hall, Eva Kjellberg, Mary Jo McGowan, Carolyn Sherman and Claudia Tufo.

These New Hampshire artists have been taking classes and painting together for years. The exhibition provides a long-standing group of artists with the opportunity to show their work together for the first time and to honor their oldest member and mentor, Hopkinton artist Sylvia Brofos. Now in her 90s, Brofos has taught watercolor painting at many local institutions as well as in her private studio.

This exhibition features Brofos' works alongside those of seven artists who were her students, some for up to three decades.

“Sylvia Brofos has taught watercolor painting for almost her entire career,” says Sophia Eastley, the organizer of the exhibition. “She came to the United States from England on a ship at the age of seven when children were being evacuated from London during World War II. She was seven years old and had no family or friends. She is currently writing and illustrating a memoir of that time in her life.”

While watercolor is the medium of all exhibiting artists, artists' styles and techniques vary from impressionistic to illustrative.

“I have been exploring the infinite possibilities of watercolor painting in Sylvia's classes for over three decades,” says Derry artist Lenore Hall. My work is mainly impressionistic or abstract. In the studio I work on a variety of papers: traditional or gesso coated, Yupo, rice paper directly or as collage. Sometimes I draw with ink, pastel, water-soluble colored pencils or wax over and under the watercolor, making strokes, rubbings or splatters. I love experimenting with materials, using watercolor alone or mixed with other media to create images that capture my experiences deep in nature.”

Tom Pirozzoli will provide music at the exhibition's opening ceremony on July 6. The Two Villages Art Society gallery is open to the public free of charge from Thursday to Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.