VISUAL ART GUIDE

The Austin Pastel Society is a Non-Profit Organization founded in 1998 by a group of Austin artists who are active in the soft pastel medium. Our mission is to provide members with opportunities to exhibit their work and to educate the public, gallery owners and collectors about the merits and care of pastel paintings. Artists, from beginners to advanced, benefit from many opportunities provided by the Austin Pastel Society to learn about materials and techniques and to grow in their abilities by observing demonstrations at monthly meetings, participating in hands-on workshops led by nationally recognized instructors and by attending paint-outs and other events.

Arkansas Pastel Society came about when a group of pastel artists saw the need for a centrally located regional society to promote pastels as a medium and as a means of networking with other pastel artists.

Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society, formed in late 2004, our society represents artists in the central Pennyslvania region who are interested in the medium of soft pastel. Throughout the year we organize exhibitions, offer member meetings to share work and ideas, organize plein air painting opportunities, and promote artistic development for our members. We invite you to browse our web site where you will learn more about our work and the opportunities that we offer.

The Chicago Pastel Painters is a pastel society based in the greater Chicago area but is open to artists anywhere. We presently have members in 13 states.

The Degas Pastel Society was invited by Pastel Society of France (the oldest pastel society in existence) to be "Guest of Honor" at the "International Pastel Festival" this summer in Feytiat, France. The festival attracts over 20,000 people and is advertised widely all over France. Ten New Orleans area DPS members were asked to send two pastels each. In the brochure for the exhibition it states"The Societe des Pastellistes de France pays homage to these American artists of Louisiana, who still preciously preserve the French district of New Orleans and who chose Degas as their emblem".

The Gateway Pastel Artists' goal aims to unite artists interested in pastel media through the usage of programs, critiques and technical support from one another.The society also helps members reach their optimum potential as artists. As pastel artists, we create awareness of pastels' beauty, versatility and permanence in art galleries and the general public.

The Great Lakes Pastel Society seeks to promote the use of pastels and increase the public awareness of creative pastel painting as a fine art medium.

The Lake Country Pastel Society seeks to unite artists interested in the pastel medium and to serve their needs by encouraging artistic growth and development through education and sharing. we also work to create public awareness of pastel as a unique and beautiful art form.

The Maryland Pastel Society is a non-profit organization devoted to the promotion and development of professional, original works of art in the medium of soft pastel. There are many local pastel societies throughout the country, but the Maryland Pastel Society is the oldest state society, and is an active member of the International Association of Pastel Societies. While the Society had its roots in the Baltimore area, the almost 200 members today come from all over the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Northwest Pastel Society (NPS) was incorporated on October 5, 1988 as a nonprofit corporation dedicated to promoting pastel as a fine art medium. Through NPS open juried international exhibitions, juried members' exhibitions, workshops, and quarterly newsletters and meetings (except in summer) members enjoy sharing knowledge, learning new painting techniques, and passing on published information.

The Oklahoma Pastel Society (OPS) was founded in the spring of 2003 by a group of pastel artists from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Originally called the Central Oklahoma Organization of Pastelists (COOP), the group was created to offer a venue for shows and workshops for local pastel artists.

Pastel Society of America (PSA) is the oldest, most important society in America. PSA is largely responsible for the current renaissance of pastels in American art. The society's outstanding annual exhibitions at The National Arts Club in New York are the premier event for pastel artists in this country and abroad. The society's name is synonymous with excellence. We are the undisputed leader in the medium. In recent years, PSA has been honored guests in exhibitions in Italy, France and Russia. Pastel Society of America encourages artistic advancement through prestigious awards distributed during PSA annual exhibitions. Pastelists showing exceptional technical acumen and creative use of pastel techniques are awarded prizes for their achievements. Pastel techniques vary in appearance from smoothly stomped surfaces to loosely applied pastel strokes. However, it is feeling and harmony that distinguishes an outstanding work of art.

The Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod is a nonprofit corporation sustained by membership contributions, gifts and grants. Founded by Cape Cod pastel artist Sarah Fielding-Gunn and a handful of other local pastelists in 1995, the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod's goal was to establish viable exhibition venues for the medium while fostering the public education and appreciation of pastels. In just over a decade, PPSCC has grown to 200 members in 30 states and U.S. territories.

The Pastel Society of Colorado seeks to promote the art of pastel painting through regular meetings that feature educational presentations and demonstrations by respected artists. The PSC sponsors an annual member exhibition.

The Pastel Society of New Hampshire is a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation of soft pastels as a fine art medium. Founded in January 2006 by a group of pastel artists, the purpose of our society is to foster connections among pastelists of all levels throughout New Hampshire, the New England region and other states.All pastel artists are welcome and encouraged to join.