In the upcoming exhibition at Two Villages Art Society (TVAS) in Hopkinton, eight New Hampshire artists show watercolor paintings inspired by nature.

The exhibition opens Saturday, July 6, at the gallery at 846 Main Street in the village of Contoocook. The show opens with a 12 – 2 p.m. reception free and open to the public.

The exhibiting artists are Fred Brewster, Sylvia Brofos, Sophia Eastley, Lenore Hall, Eva Kjellberg, Mary Jo McGowan, Carolyn Sherman, and Claudia Tufo.

These New Hampshire artists have taken classes and painted together for years. The exhibit presents an opportunity for a longstanding artist circle to show their work together for the first time and to honor their senior member and mentor, Hopkinton artist Sylvia Brofos. Now in her 90s, Brofos has taught watercolor painting at many local institutions, as well as in her private studio.

In this show, Brofos’ work is on display along with that of seven artists who have been her students — some for as long as three decades.

“Sylvia Brofos has taught watercolor painting for nearly her whole career,” says Sophia Eastley, the show’s organizer. “She came to the states from England during World War II on a ship at age seven without family or friends when children were being evacuated from London during the bombing. She’s currently writing and illustrating a memoir of that time of her life.”

While watercolor is the medium of all the artists showing their work, the artists’ styles and techniques vary from impressionistic to illustrative.

“I have been exploring watercolor’s endless possibilities in Sylvia’s classes for more than three decades,” says Derry artist Lenore Hall. My work is primarily responsive impressionistic or abstract. In the studio I work on assorted papers: traditional or gesso-coated, Yupo, rice papers directly or collaged. Sometimes I draw over and under the watercolor with ink, pastel, water-soluble crayons or wax, making marks or rubbings, or spatter. I love experimenting with materials, with watercolor on its own or mixed with other media to create images that capture my experiences deep in nature.”

The exhibit’s July 6 opening reception features music provided by Tom Pirozzoli. Two Villages Art Society’s gallery is open to the public free of charge Thursday through Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.