The styles, hues, the lines and the subject matter all vary, but one thing is consistent: The North Carolina Watercolor Society’s 67th annual competition brings the state’s finest watercolor artists together for an incredible display of the Tar Heel muse.

And it’s all right here, in Elizabeth City, beginning Friday at Arts of the Albemarle.

“It’s a prestigious event,” says Natalie Peel, AOA’s director of marketing.

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Some might recall that last year AOA displayed a traveling exhibit that featured NCWS artists. That show was in anticipation of this show and competition that will be judged by nationally renowned watercolor painter John Salminen.

Peel says bringing upwards 70 North Carolina artists to the area is a significant event.

“It’s a big deal considering last year’s was in Cary and next year’s is in Ashville,” said Peel.

The society will hold its annual meeting at AOA amidst the showcasing of its annual competition.

The paintings will be on display Friday, just in time for the First Friday Art Walk. They will be available for viewing through the weekend. On Sunday, Salminen will judge the show and the winners will be announced during a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

But the Watercolor Society’s presence won’t end this weekend. Salminen will be in Elizabeth City the following week for a workshop entitled “Realism through Design.”

Salimen, a Minnesota-based artist, is a member of numerous watercolor societies. His work has garnered him 195 awards in national and international competitions, including the American Watercolor Society Gold Medal twice, and awards from China’s Shanghai Zhoujiajiao International competition.

His work is included in the permanent collections of the Asian Museum of Watercolor Art, the Guanhua Watercolor Art Gallery and Museum in China and the Armenian Art Museum.

He has also been included in numerous art magazines nationally and internationally.

His workshop is open to the public and runs Monday through Friday. For more information about the workshop, and prices, you can contact Arts of the Albemarle at 252-338-6455.