If you happen into the Adirondack Park, you might find yourself in Old Forge, but probably not. Of a variety of places off the beaten track, Old Forge is probably one of the farthest off. But come here you will, if you have any real interest in art, because this is home to the annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, one of the 10 top such exhibitions in the country.

The 2012 exhibition starts officially today, with an opening last night that packed the exhibit halls of the state-of-the-art, leeds-certified venue, View, which opened just over a year ago in Old Forge, NY.

The 2012 show has some truly stunning works on display, worthy of a national show.  These are paintings that, according event curator, Miriam Kashiwa, “sparkle and glow.” More than 600 entries were received, of which 104 were selected to participate by selection juror Pat San Soucie, AWS, df, NWS. The award winners were selected in June by nationally recognized watercolorist, author, and signature member of both the American Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society, Paul Jackson.

Top prize, the Beechmont First and Gold Medallion, was awarded to Cheng-Khee Chee of Deluth, MN, for “Crabs.” A personal favorite, “Funny Pages” by Linda McCord of Longview, WA, won the Pulsifer Award. The Trail and Streams Award went to Richard French of St. Augustine, FL, for his “Lilies and Lines.”

A full list of winners and their paintings is available on View’s website, but it’s so much better to see them in person. The show runs through October 8, 2012.