Artist John Coffey presents the art of watercolor

PRESS RELEASE

Lewisburg, West Virginia – Carnegie Hall invites adult artists and creative learners to deepen their skills in a comprehensive four‑week watercolor series, The Art of Watercolor, led by regional watercolorist John Coffey. Classes will be held on Saturdays, May 16, 23, June 6, and June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to ages 18 and older, this immersive series is limited to just eight participants, ensuring focused instruction and individualized guidance.

This progressive workshop begins with the fundamentals of watercolor painting—basic drawing, essential watercolor techniques, how to stretch paper, and how to plan a composition—before advancing to technique and composition work based primarily on photographs. Students should bring a photograph of their choice to use as inspiration throughout the series. Intermediate students may bring their own brushes if preferred; all other materials will be provided by the instructor.

The cost for the full series is $225 for members and $255 for nonmembers, with automatic scholarships available that reduce the student rate to just $99.

One of Carnegie Hall’s favorite teaching artists, John Coffey is a celebrated watercolorist known for his realistic landscapes and architectural scenes inspired by his upbringing in Monroe and McDowell counties in southern West Virginia. A graduate of Concord College, where he majored in art in the 1960s, Coffey initially trained in drawing and oil painting before teaching himself watercolor in the late 1980s. His early background in abstract design continues to inform the strong compositional structure of his work.   

Coffey is a member of the West Virginia Watercolor Society, a Tamarack juried artisan, and a past member of the Mahoning Valley Watercolor Society, the Appalachian Artist Association, and the Beckley Art Group. His awards include an Award of Merit in Tamarack’s Best of West Virginia Show (2011) and Best of Show honors in the Beckley Art Group’s West Virginia Memories exhibition.

His artistic journey also reflects remarkable resilience: after suffering a major stroke in 2008 that paralyzed the right side of his body, Coffey relearned to paint and completed his first post‑stroke watercolor within a year – an achievement he credits to perseverance, faith, and the support of his family.   

Carnegie Hall encourages early registration for this in‑depth series, ideal for beginners seeking a strong foundation and for intermediate painters looking to refine their technique under the guidance of a highly respected regional artist.

Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. For more information call (304) 645-7917, visit www.carnegiehallwv.org, or stop by 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV.