SAA CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS — Members of the Steubenville Art Association met Saturday afternoon at Eat n’ Park for the group’s annual Christmas luncheon. Those in attendance included, from left, front, Frank Rogers, James Clum, Michelle Clum, President Judy Schmidt and Jeanne D’Anniballe; and back, James VanFossen, Aggie Wiltrout, Jim Watson, Christina Collins, Tammy Rogers, Alysia Basluke, Natalie Rose, Paula Siebieda and John Schmidt. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — Members of the Steubenville Art Association gathered at Eat n’ Park restaurant in Steubenville Saturday afternoon to celebrate the holiday season with one another.

Those in attendance shared stories, remembrances, laughter and friendship throughout the meal.

A discussion took place regarding the upcoming third-annual “Show Us Your Stuff” Art Show, headed by SAA member Alysia Basluke. The show offers residents throughout the area an opportunity to submit their artwork to be included in the showing, which takes place at the Historic Fort Steuben Visitor Center.

Children are encouraged to enter, as various children’s categories are recognized. Past categories have included Best in Show, Mayor’s Choice Award, Most Creative and Most Imaginative.

President Judy Schmidt was joined by 26 others, including longtime members Jim and JoAnn Watson, who have been with the SAA for more than 26 years.

LONGTIME MEMBERS ARE SAYING GOODBYE — Jim and JoAnn Watson have been members of the Steubenville Art Association for more than 26 years. The husband and wife joined fellow club artists for their annual Christmas celebration, held this year at Eat n’ Park in Steubenville. The Watsons attended what may be their last event with the SAA, as they are moving from the area. -- Julie Stenger

Schmidt expressed her sorrow in the Watsons departing the club due to their moving to Cincinnati in the near future. She commented on how they have been an intricate part of the association — not only in what they bring in the way of their talents — but in their heartfelt kindnesses and their work ethic in helping to maintain the continuation of the SAA.

The Watsons have been in charge of the club’s annual spring art show for numerous years.

The show is the largest held by the SAA and always took place inside the Eastern Gateway Community College building because of the necessary size required to conduct such an exhibition. However, due to the college’s closure last year, the spring show had to be canceled.

The show was also canceled during 2021-22 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the exception of those three years, the show has been the largest event of the SAA since 1946, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said it is the club’s hope to name the spring show after the Watsons, and officers are deciding on the exact name it should be given. Examples have included the “J and J Watson Spring Exhibit.”

But according to Jim Watson, he does not want the show to be named after him in any way, stating it is the SAA’s show, and not his.

“This is the Steubenville Art Association’s show and I think that’s the way it should stay,” Jim stated. “I don’t want it. If they want to do anything for me, they need to keep the name the same.”

The Watsons humbly did not wish to take credit for the show, but those in the SAA understand what they have meant to the club. And the Watsons know what the club has meant to them throughout the last few decades.

“The art association means a lot to us,” Jim commented. “We both retired from Weirton Steel and a woman who we worked with kind of forced us to enter a show. I didn’t know what to think.”

And so, he entered the contest, not expecting to hear back from the show. The Watsons explained cards were sent out to entrants, letting them know if their work was accepted or not. Upon hearing his artwork had been accepted, they soon began their journey into the world of art and in joining the club, then ultimately, heading shows.

“We have been very fortunate,” Jim said of he and his wife’s time in the SAA. “It has been great for both of us. JoAnn did as much work for the organization as I have and we have met a lot of really nice people from the Ohio Valley, Pittsburgh and Cambridge areas.”

“It has been a good ride,” he concluded. “We are going to miss a lot of really nice people.”

The Watsons receive a monthly art magazine which recently featured a woman who lives in the area where the couple will be moving to, Jim noted. He said he hopes to make contact with the woman and see if there are any clubs or art shows he and JoAnn can participate in.

Schmidt said as far as the next spring show, it is still unknown if one will be held, as the club still requires a space large enough to hold the event.

Anyone who can provide assistance or offer information about a site can contact Schmidt by text or phone at (740) 424-3835.