Marybeth Heikes was awarded the First Place Cash and Ribbon Prize in the Iowa Watercolor Society’s 28th Annual Exhibition on Sunday, September 11. The exhibition was held at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. The juror, Tony Van Hasselt chose 60 paintings from a total of 145. He will later select the awards and choose 35 paintings for the 2005–2006 Traveling Show.

Ms. Heikes’ winning transparent watercolor painting, Chairs Series #122, is part of her well-established “Chairs in the Jungle” series. The “Chairs Series” has been a series in progress over twenty years consisting of a wide variety of chair styles and intricate backgrounds, usually involving plant life and other elements. Each piece projects a unique, separate statement. Many of these watercolors have been exhibited in national juried exhibitions, and they have received awards from New York City to Los Angeles.

Marybeth is a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. She has been exhibiting in the IWS annual show since 1986, and has won First Place in three of the last five years. She currently maintains a home studio / frame shop and welcomes the public by appointment.