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The Whiskey Painters of America:
W.P.A. was founded in the mid 50’s by industrial designer Joe Ferriot.  His hectic traveling and business demands frustrated him with the lack of time to paint.  So he came up with an idea.  He created a small palette the size of an aspirin box with a tiny brush and cut small pocket sized pieces of watercolor paper that would fit in his shirt pocket.  He would use these materials when he was in airport lounges or waiting areas throughout the country.  To entertain and amaze the people around him he would dip his brush in whatever he was drinking at the time and create miniature masterpieces.  He never had to buy a drink after that and his paintings became very sought after commodities.

In a bar in New York City in the early 60’s he was having a drink with John Pike and some of New York’s top artists when he pulled his newly invented miniature equipment out of his pocket, dipped his brush into a martini, and created what was then dubbed an official “Whiskey Painting”.

 

His success became known to all of his artists friends and he encouraged them to do likewise when they got together after art club meetings.  They began doing the miniatures at their local watering holes then throwing them into a hat for each to retrieve one.  They had a great time and began collections of these wonderful miniatures.  The group became so popular that other artists wanted to join.  And so the group officially formed as the Whiskey Painters of America with bylaws, etc. in 1962.

 

At that time the rules to qualify were that a candidate had to be invited to do a painting after 10 pm in a bar by candlelight, using whiskey as his medium.  If his painting was accepted by the selection committee he was either a member or drunk.

 

Some of the finest artists in the land are proud to be associated with this organization.  The club now has 150 members (it limits membership to this number) in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.  A member may only sponsor one artist candidate during their lifetime.  One of the bylaws of the organization is:

 

“Be proud of your creation – stay sober- and always remember that W.P.A. is exclusive and the only organization of its kind in the world”

 

Some notable members of the organization:

 

Tony Couch                                          Skip Lawrence                                      Joe Miller

Don Getz                                               Carlton Plummer                                Don Stone

Paul Strisik                                           John Pellew                                          Arne Westerman

Marc Moon, A.W.S.                             Edgar Whitney                                     Rex Brandt

Jim Gray                                                Ramon Kelly                                        John Pike

 

** In 1999 Lou Ann became a signature member of the Whiskey Painters of America.  She was sponsored by her father, Marc Moon, A.W.S. who was, at that time, one of three surviving founders of the organization.  Since that time two of the founders have died and there is only one remaining founder alive today, Tony Leroy Cross. 

Zimmerman Gallery
1006 Broad Street
(706) 774-1006

Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 10:30 – 5:00 Sunday 9 – 2:00
and Monday 9 – 3:00

Other hours available by appointment.

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