Four (4) George Ayers Cress (American/Tennessee, 1921-2008) watercolor paintings on paper. All unframed.1st item: A stylized depiction of two standing figures with heads turned to the viewer's right and rendered in vivid yellow, orange, blue, and red hues. On heavy wove paper. Signed "George Cress 1958," lower right, and with old accession number en verso. 14 7/8" H x 6 13/16" W. 2nd item: Watercolor and pastel view of a canal in Venice with two buildings, one featuring Venetian Gothic windows, rendered in bright blue, yellow, purple, and green hues. On sketchbook paper with old accession number en verso. 11 11/16" H x 9" W. 3rd item: An impressionistic depiction of a wooded landscape with a river or creek in lower right. On heavy wove paper with old accession number en verso. 11 9/16" H x 9" W. 4th item: Colorful watercolor and pastel landscape with a body of water in the foreground and house beyond. Rendered in saturated blue and green hues with yellow, pink, purple, and peach accents. On heavy wove paper. Signed "George Cress 2000," lower right, and with old accession number en verso. 10 9/16" H x 13 15/16" W. Biography: "George Cress was born in Anniston, Alabama and studied at Emory University, American University, and the University of Georgia, where he studied under fellow Southern contemporary artist Lamar Dodd. He was a central figure in Chattanooga's arts community and served as President of the Tennessee Arts Council. He sat on the board of the Hunter Museum of Art. From 1951-1984 he was painter in residence at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. The Cress Gallery of Art at UTC is named in his honor." (Source: The Tennessee Historical Quarterly Vol. XLIV No. 2: "Landscape and Genre Painting in Tennessee 1810-1985"). All items in excellent condition.