Judy's Art Calendar
Current & Upcoming Events
Upcoming and Current Events
Workshops:
Great Plains Watercolor Society Artist Outing & Workshops
Saturday, August 29
Orange City, Iowa
FREE! Open to All Area Artists
Join the Great Plains Watercolor Society for a day of creativity, inspiration, and community in beautiful Orange City. Whether you enjoy watercolor, acrylic, oil, pastel, colored pencil, or another medium, you'll find opportunities to paint, learn, and connect with fellow artists.
All activities are free, and artists of all mediums and experience levels are welcome!
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Plein Air Painting
Windmill Park • Downtown Orange City
Enjoy a relaxed morning of plein air painting in one of Orange City's most picturesque locations.
- Open to artists of all mediums and experience levels
- Bring your own painting supplies
- Paint alongside members of the Great Plains Watercolor Society
12:00 p.m. | Lunch
Bring a sack lunch or enjoy one of Orange City's local restaurants and cafés.
Afternoon Workshops with Judy Thompson
Kweken Co. Coffee Shop (Located next to Windmill Park)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Get Composed! Planning a Successful Painting
Judy Thompson, Instructor
A strong composition is the foundation of every successful painting. Through demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you'll learn practical techniques for creating stronger, more engaging artwork.
You'll learn how to:
- Plan an effective composition
- Simplify shapes and design elements
- Create stronger focal points and visual movement
- Use creative approaches that make your paintings more compelling
Who should attend: Artists of all mediums and skill levels
Bring: Sketchbook and pencil. Painting supplies are optional.
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Creating Rich Textures with Watercolor
Judy Thompson, Instructor
Discover techniques for creating the illusion of rich surface texture while preserving watercolor's luminous transparency. Judy will demonstrate a variety of methods she uses to build depth, texture, and visual interest in her award-winning paintings.
Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with these techniques during the workshop.
Bring:
- Watercolor paints
- Watercolor paper
- Masking fluid
Additional workshop materials will be provided.
Come for one activity or stay for the entire day!
Spend the day painting, learning, and connecting with fellow artists in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Admission is free. Everyone is welcome!
Exhibitions:
Still Becoming: America at 250
Artist Reception: Thursday, March 19th. 6:30--8:00 p.m.
Center for Western Studies
2121 S. Summit Ave
Sioux Falls, SD
Orange City Arts 2026 Regional Art Show
June 24- July,22, 2026
Free and Open to the Public
9:00 a.m.--10:00 p.m.
Awards & Artist Reception
July 22
6:00 p.m.
Stadscentrum Museum
207 Central Ave NE
Orange City, IA 51041
Becoming Midwest: Life Between
A Special Mother/Daughter Exhibition featuring
Judy Thompson's Watercolors and Kristin Gifford's Poetry
February 20 -- August 23, 2026
Washington Pavilion Visual Arts Center
301 S. Main Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Becoming Midwest: Life Between is a story of family, sacrifice and finding where we belong. We're diving into the themes that shape our region: migration, inclusion, and the quiet restrictions of rural life. Through watercolor, handmade paper, and visual poetry, we're looking for the patterns that connect us to this land and each other. 
The exhibition includes 27 paintings and 12 poems including one painting with 20 pieces and one concrete poem the size and shape of a bison!
Don't miss it!
Past Events
Rivers of the Plains
March 16th to June 12th, 2026Artist Reception: Thursday, March 19th. 6:30--8:00 p.m.
Center for Western Studies
2121 S. Summit Ave
Sioux Falls, SD
Rivers of the Plains is a juried exhibition celebrating the cultural, environmental, and historical significance of the Missouri River and the waterways that shape life on the Northern Plains. Selected from more than one hundred submissions, the exhibition highlights outstanding work from artists across the region. I'm thrilled to have my watercolor, Golden Hour, as part of this conversation.
Golden Hour. ©Judy Thompson.
Watercolor with Charcoal. Framed: 21x27"
Local Perspectives
Local Perspectives, is the longest running juried exhibition which features Siouxland artists who live within 75 miles of Sioux City. The exhibition was selected by Sioux City Art Center Curator Christopher Atkins. Entries will be judged with awards announced at the opening reception on October 2, 2025.
For more about the exhibition and the list of artists selected, please click HERE.
Exhibition Dates: October 2, 2025--February 9, 2026
Location: Sioux City Art Center JET Gallery (3rd floor)
Artist Reception: Thursday, October 2nd, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
I am excited to have my painting Color Fields selected as part of this exciting exhibition.
Color Fields. ©Judy Thompson.
Watercolor with Charcoal. Framed: 27x27"
44th Annual Artists of the Plains Show & Sale
Dates: November 7, 8 & 9
Hours: Friday: 5:00 to 9:00 p.m
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Garden Hilton Inn Downtown
201 E. 8th Street
Sioux Fall, SD 57103
The Center for Western Studies at Augustana University hosts an exciting art event which celebrates regional art and artists. Last year this event was held in Rapid City but is returning this year to the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Sioux Falls.
This year, artists are asked to create an artwork to honor the 250th anniversary of the United States. One of these themed artworks will be selected to receive a special award.
This event is free. It is a unique opportunity to view regional art, visit with artists and find that special piece you've been looking for.
Where Land Meets Sky.
Settling and Resettling the Plains
May 5th -- September 26th, 2025
Center for Western Studies
2121 S. Summit Ave
Sioux Falls, SD
The Groundbreakers. ©Judy Thompson
Watercolor with Charcoal. 17x21"
Settling and Resettling the Plains explores the dynamic history of the immigration and resettlement on the Northern Plains. The Groundbreakers is one of my accepted artworks in this show.
Heartland Horizons
December 1st, 2024--May 27, 2025
Visual Arts Center
Washington Pavilion
301 S. Main Avenue
Sioux Falls, Sd
Artist Reception
Thursday, April 10
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
This exciting group exhibition is all about America's Heartland--its landscapes, its people, its history and its future. Regional artist (including me!) share their unique perspectives on the values, traditions and stories that shape the very soul of the region.
Three pieces of my artworks will be in this show including Lone Tree pictured below.
Don't miss this special exhibition which celebrates America's Heartland. Check it out HERE.
Homeland
Women Artists of the West55th National Juried Exhibition
March 6--May 4, 2025
Custom House
Museum & Cultural Center
200 South 2nd Street
Clarksville, Tennessee 37040
Women Artists of the West is an organization by women and for women. Its goal is to encourage, inspire and promote profession women artists. To become a member of WAOW, you must go through a rigorous jury process to meet their standard of excellence. I am proud and honored to be an associate member of WAOW and to have two artworks selected for this prestigious exhibition .
All American Line up
Six Cowpokes
* Art of the West Award
Great Plains Watercolor Society
2025 Members Only Show
April 4-26, 2025
Rehfelds Modern
431 N. Phillips Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Public Reception
April 4, 2025
5:00--8:00 p.m.
The Great Plains Watercolor Society is showcased in this exhibition in downtown Sioux Falls. . Awards will be given by juror Ron Thurston in three categories: beginner, intermediate and advanced. There will also be a special People's Choice Award so be sure to view the show and cast your vote before April 10th. All artwork is for sale from April 4th--26th.
The Great Plains Watercolor Society consists of enthusiastic like-minded painters who have joined together for learning, encouragement, and fun. It's a great place to grow as a watercolor artist.
My entry is pictured above: Granite Grandeur, 24x24" Watercolor with Charcoal. *People's Choice Award
Orange City Arts
Regional Art Exhibit 2025
April 5 - May 3, 2025
Free and Open to the Public
9:00 a.m.--10:00 p.m.
Awards & Artist Reception
Saturday, May 3rd
6:30--7:30 p.m.
Northwestern College DeWitt Theatre Arts Building
721 Albany Ave SE
Orange City, IA 51041
Quilted Prairie. ©Judy Thompson
*First Place, 2D
Artists were encouraged to explore the theme "Stewards of Creation," celebrating the beauty of creation while reflecting on our responsibility to protect and nurture it. My selected piece, Quilted Prairie, speaks to responsibility we have to cultivate the land while at the same time preserving it in all its beauty and richness.
For additional past events, please visit my ARTIST CV.