Pastel Societies - Resources for Artists

National Pastel Societies in North America

Pastel Society of America

Pastel Society of America. America's oldest and most prestigious pastel society.

Founded in 1972 by Flora B. Giffuni, Pastel Society of America (PSA) - the oldest pastel society in America - is largely responsible for the current renaissance of pastels in American art. The society's annual exhibitions at The National Arts Club in New York are the premier event for pastel artists in this country and abroad. Pastel Society of America encourages artistic advancement through prestigious awards distributed during its annual exhibitions. Pastelists showing technical acumen and creative use of pastel techniques are awarded prizes for their achievements. Members winning three cumulative awards are named PSA Master Pastelists. Each year one noted artist is elected into PSA's Hall of Fame

Pastel Artists Canada

PastelArtists.Ca (PAC) - promoting public appreciation of art in dry pastel and improving the skills of artists working in this fine art medium.

USA - Pastel Societies of New England

Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut

PPSCC - Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod

The Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod is a nonprofit corporation sustained by membership contributions, gifts and grants. Founded 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.

Connecticut Pastel Society

Connecticut Pastel Society, official site

Pastel Painters of Maine (PPOM)

Pastel Painters of Maine (PPOM), established in 1999, meets in Westbrook, Maine to promote soft pastels, uniting artists and heightening public's awareness of the medium.

Pastel Society of New Hampshire

The Pastel Society of New Hampshire is dedicated to the appreciation of soft pastels as a fine art medium.

Vermont Pastel Society

The Vermont Pastel Society encourages anyone interested in pastels or pastel painting to join them.

USA - New York and Mid Atlantic Pastel Societies

New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey

Adirondack Pastel Society

Located in Glens Falls, NY, the Adirondack Pastel Society is dedicated to supporing the pastel artist and cultivating an enthusiastic audience for pastels.

Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society Home Page

The Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society is a newly-formed group of artists interested in the promotion and exploration the medium of soft pastel.

Pastel Society of New Jersey

Our Mission is to secure the membership of artists dedicated to pastel painting, exhibit pastels of professional quality, expand the opportunities for artists working in pastel through exhibits and information, and promote public interest in traditional dry pastel in New Jersey.

North America Pastel Artist Association

An Association of largely Chinese pastel artists with links to Taiwan. Not a geographical based pastel society in the conventional sense.

Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League

From professional to beginner and everything in-between. Some of our artist's have been featured in art publications, done demo's, taught classes, and won prestigious awards.

USA - Pastel Societies of the Mid West

Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa

Chicago Pastel Painters - A Pastel Society based in the Chicago Area

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.

Welcome to the Gateway Pastel Artists Website (St. Louis Missouri)

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

Great Lakes Pastel Society Online

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.

MidAmerica Pastel Society - Pastel Painting and Pastel Artists in Midwest

The MidAmerica Pastel Society (MAPS) formed in 1998. It is a regional midwest artist society practising pastel painting and promotion of the pastel medium. MAPS holds regular meetings, artist workshops and pastel painting exhibitions in the Kansas-Missouri area.

The purpose of the MidAmerica Pastel Society is to bring together practicing pastel artists as a group to network, to educate and promote community interest and support for the medium of pastel in the visual arts, to support these pastel artists in their artistic development, exhibit work as a group and individually; to provide teaching workshops for further development of artists using pastel and to make a contribution to the community through the development of student artists in the pastel medium.

Lake Country Pastel Society (Minneapolis, Minnesota_

We seek 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.

Northern Indiana Pastel Society

Formed in the summer of 2006, the Northern Indiana Pastel Society welcomes artists from Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.
The group's purpose is to stimulate interest in pastels as an art medium and to encourage and support members in their artistic and professional growth. Members seek to form alliances, share information and enjoy camaraderie. Meetings are held on the third Sunday of February, April, June, August and October, at 1 p.m. A holiday gathering is held in December.

Wisconsin Pastel Artists

Our pastel group was formed in 2005 and had previously been called GLPS S.E. Wisconsin and Southeast Wisconsin Pastel Society (SEWPS). Our goal is to encourage, educate and connect both the aspiring and experienced pastel artist. In May 2008 our group was renamed "Wisconsin Pastel Artists" to better serve the expanding interest of statewide pastelists. Also in 2008 our group became a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies, IAPS.

Illinois Prairie Pastel Society (newspaper article)

The group of 19 central Illinois pastel painters formerly known as the Springfield Area Pastelists is now called the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PASTEL SOCIETY (IPPS).

Ozarks Pastel Society (MIssouri)

Founded as the Ozark Pastel Society in 1987 - based in Missouri. We now have members in five states and are recognized by the International Pastel Society. We hold an annual Ozark Pastel Society Show , which is opened to all Pastel artist . We have a meeting every month on the third Saturday

USA - Pastel Societies of the South (Atlantic Coast)

Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida

Appalachian Pastel Society - Appalachian Pastel Art

Founded 2006, The purpose of the Appalachian Pastel Society is the promotion, development, and enjoyment of pastel art.
(The Appalachian Region is a 200,000-square-mile area that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia)

The Maryland Pastel Society

Maryland Pastel Society

Pastel Society of North Carolina

The Pastel Society of North Carolina is an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for social interaction and education for pastel artists through meetings, shows, juried exhibitions and other events. We welcome all levels of accomplishment-from beginners to professional artists.

The Coastal Pastel Society of North Carolina

The Coastal Pastel Society of North Carolina-formed in 1996 to promote standards of excellence and to encourage the use of soft pastels-has grown to more than 80 members. The Society holds monthly meetings, featuring demonstrations, programs and critiques, on the third Saturday of February, March April, May, September, October, November and December. [no meetings in January,
June, July or August].

Piedmont Pastel Society (North Carolina)

The Piedmont Pastel Society is a non-profit organization, based in North Carolina, founded in 2007 to promote artistic skills and public awareness of pastel as a fine art medium.

South Eastern Pastel Society

The Southeastern Pastel Society was established in 1987 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting pastel as a medium in the Southeast. The Society has now grown to over 250 members, from all over the United States and other nations throughout the world.

PSCF | Home

Welcome to the Pastel Society of Central Florida (PSCF) official website.

Pastel Society of North Florida

The Pastel Society of North Florida (PSNF) is a nonprofit, tax exempt organization and is a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies. Organized in 1988, PSNF is an association of artists who work in the traditional pastel medium and who are intent on increasing public awareness and acceptance of pastel as a serious painting medium. We provide opportunities for members to exhibit in both juried and non-juried All Pastel shows and to attend workshops conducted by master pastelists. It was the first art organization in Northwest Florida to sponsor national and local juried exhibitions exclusively for pastel artists. It is also the first pastel organization to feature a site on the World Wide Web.

PSCF | Home

Welcome to the Pastel Society of Central Florida (PSCF) official website.

Southwest Florida Pastel Society

The Southwest Florida Pastel Society (SWFPS) is a non-profit 501 ©(3) organization of pastel artists who live and work in Southwest Florida governed by a Board of Directors. The society encourages and promotes our enthusiastic pastel artists in their growth and success through monthly meetings and programs, workshops, activities, and exhibition opportunities. Founded January 2003, the organization represents approximately 130 active pastel artists of all skill levels. The society welcomes all new members

Pastel Society of Tampa Bay (blog)

The Pastel Society of Tampa Bay formed in 2006 to bring local pastelists together to encourage artistic growth through education and sharing and to promote interest and enjoyment of pastel for both artist and community.

USA - Pastel Societies of the South (Central)

Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana

Alabama Pastel Society Website

Alabama Pastel Society, pastel, painting, drawing, organization, art

Degas Pastel Society (New Orleans)

Founded in 1984 in New Orleans. The Degas Pastel Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1984, dedicated to promoting public awareness of the pastel medium and providing exposure and recognition for the Society's members through exhibitions.

Arkansas Pastel Society

Arkansas Pastel Society - regional organization for pastel artists.

Austin Pastel Society

The Austin Pastel Society is a Non-Profit Organization founded in 1998 by a group of Austin artists who were active in the soft pastel medium. Our mission is to provide opportunities to pastelists to exhibit; to educate the public, gallery owners, and collectors about the merits and proper care of paintings in pastel; to encourage students of all ages in the medium; and to provide opportunities for artists by sponsoring workshops and demonstrations.

CTPS Home Page

Central Texas Pastel Society was founded in September l997 with 18 Charter members. Meetings are held third Saturday morning of each month at area locations to accommodate members in the Central Texas area

Oklahoma Pastel Society

The Oklahoma Pastel Society (OPS) was founded in the spring of 2003 by a group of pastel artists from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Since its beginning OPS has grown from a handful of local artists to over 55 members from all over Oklahoma and other states as well. Currently OPS boast members from Colorado, Texas, Arizona and Arkansas. OPS offers shows, workshops and demonstrations open to all its member (and visitors).

Texas Pastel Society

The purpose of TxPS is to raise awareness of soft pastel art and to provide support for pastel artists. All member pastelists will have the opportunity to acquire skills as soft pastels artists through experience, study, observation, and shared knowledge. TxPS will program meetings, demos, paint-outs, museum field trips, gallery walks, workshops, lectures, area exhibitions, all-member shows, and juried competitions.

St. Tammany Pastel Society (Louisiana)

The pastel society was formed in 2009 by a group of Pastel Artists. The Society's mission is to provide Pastel art to the community and to educate and cultivate an appreciation for the fine art medium of Pastels. This will be done through exhibitions of the variety of Pastel works.

USA - Pastel Societies of the West (Mountain)

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico

Arizona Pastel Artists Association - APAA

Arizona Pastel Artists Association (APAA). We are an association of pastel artists, promoting artistic skills and public appreciation of the Soft Pastel medium. Website includes membership info, history, members list, current events & exhibits.

Pastel Society of Colorado

Connecting Pastel Artists across the Rocky Mountains and Frontiers Beyond
The Pastel Society of Colorado (PSC) was formed in 1994 by six artists to fulfill the need for a regional organization to encourage the appreciation and art of pastel painting.

Pastel Society of New Mexico

The Pastel Society of New Mexico - Promoting the fine art of pastel painting and contributing to the arts community in New Mexico

Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies

Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies website of fine art, workshop schedules and members' paintings

Pikes Peak Pastel Society

The Pikes Peak Pastel Society was founded in January 2000, to promote excellence in soft pastel painting and the awareness of pastel painting to the general public.

Pastel Society of the Southwest

The Pastel Society of the Southwest was organized in January 1979 to further education in, appreciation for, and encouragement of the use of the pastel medium. We are in our 31st year and going strong.

Tucson Pastel Society

We seek to unite artists interested in the soft pastel medium and to serve their needs by encouraging artistic growth and development through sponsorship of exhibits, workshops, critiques, classes and demonstration. We will work to create public awareness of pastel as a unique and beautiful art form and to offer a vehicle of communication for the exchange of news and ideas through our web site,
newsletter and other communications.

USA - Pastel Societies of the West (Pacific)

Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii

Pastel Society of the Gold Coast

The Pastel Society of the Gold Coast is a non-profit organization for the specific purpose to provide public exhibitions for its members, to educate the community through collaboration with environmental and other non-profit organizations; and to promote the arts in general. We are a membership of approximately thirty Southern California artists who utilize the dynamic and diverse application of soft pastels to express the nature and beauty of our Gold Coast region.

Pastel Artists of Hawaii Home

Pastel Artists of Hawaii (PAH) is an educational, publicly/member supported, non-profit organization, established in 2001 to primarily promote awareness of soft pastel as a serious art medium, and secondarily, to develop and maintain a national society standing. To reach these goals, we sponsor an annual open-juried exhibition each year, in which an invited, experienced artist juries, presents awards and teaches an educational workshop.

Northwest Pastel Society Home Page

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.

Pastel Society of Oregon

Pastel Society of Oregon home page - no "about us" page
NOTE: Website is difficult to navigate and includes an attack page

Pastel Society of San Diego

The Pastel Society of San Diego, a California 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is interested in encouraging the use of pastel through lectures, demonstrations exhibits and community outreach. The Pastel Society has a very active membership of talented artists. Our annual juried show is recognized as a quality show that draws members and non-members alike from San Diego County. Our meetings include well known teachers and popular pastel artists who share their vast knowledge with our members and guests.

Sierra Pastel Society

Sierra Pastel Society, P.O. Box 1936, Placerville CA 95667
Our mission is to support artists on their journey of artistic excellence and to promote greater public awareness of soft pastels as a fine art medium through learning opportunities, plein air gatherings, demonstrations, and juried exhibitions.

Pastel Society of Southern California

Founded in 2007 to promote pastel art in Los Angeles and Southern California. Membership is open to anyone working in pastel or interested in the medium.
* To bring together pastel artists in the Southern California region for camaraderie and collaboration.
* To educate the public and promote pastel as a fine art medium through local shows and exhibitions(Eligible work for exhibitions will follow IAPS guidelines.)
* To foster artistic excellence through public demonstrations, workshops, paint-outs, critiques, and exchange of technical and product information.

Pastel Society of the West Coast

Pastel Society of the West Coast, an organization founded in 1985, promotes the pastel medium.

United Society of Pastel Artists

The United Society of Pastel Artists (USPA) was founded in 2006 with only 20 members. Tripling in membership in the past four years, the response to the organization has been exciting, both in monthly meeting attendance, and in participation in the annual juried gallery exhibition. Headquartered in Orange County, CA, the USPA is gaining recognition and popularity.

Pastel Societies in Canada

Pastel Artists.Ca - Home

PastelArtists.Ca (PAC) - promoting public appreciation of art in dry pastel and improving the skills of artists working in this fine art medium.

We were founded in 1989 by a small group of eager pastellists as Pastel Artists of Ontario, Canada. The name changed in 2003 to Pastel Artists Canada to reflect our changing membership. We incorporated as a not-for-profit organization under the name Pastel Artists.Ca, still expressed as "Pastel Artists Canada". There are two levels of merit-based signature membership. We are a member society of the International Association of Pastel Societies and a sister society to PSEC, Pastel Artists of Eastern Canada, which qualifies us to participate in their activities as full members. Membership in Pastel Artists.Ca is open to all who are interested in the medium of dry pastel.

Pastel Society of Eastern Canada - PSEC (Bi-Lingual)

The Pastel Society of Eastern Canada was founded in Montreal in 1995. PSEC is a non-profit organization constituted of both professional and amateur pastel artists. The aims of the organization are as follows:
1. To promote and encourage artistic activities and public awareness and appreciation of the arts in the pastel medium;
2. To inform the public about the pastel milieu by sponsoring and promoting members' exhibitions and other appropriate means for educating the public in the field of pastel:
3. To provide opportunities for the advancement of artistic skills via workshops, conferences, seminars and publications.

Pastel Societies in the UK & Ireland

The Pastel Society

The Pastel Society is a registered charity, widely recognised for its success in promoting and encouraging the use of pastel within the contemporary art world.

The Society was founded in 1898, and the first exhibition held in the Royal Institute in Piccadilly. Founder members and early exhibitors included Brangwyn, Degas, Rodin, Rothenstein, Whistler and G.F. Watts.

There are currently over fifty Members who are professional artists living and working in this country and overseas. Membership is granted through a strict assessment of technical skill, originality, innovation and enthusiasm.

The Society pursues its aims through education and example. It is currently responsible for organising exhibitions, tutorial workshops, demonstrations and lectures throughout the UK.

The Society's major showcase is the Annual Exhibition held at the prestigious Mall Galleries in London. This is open to entries from both Members and non-members. Awards are made to works of particular note. Workshops and demonstrations are also provided throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Leicestershire Pastel Society

On the Leicestershire Pastel Society web site you will find information about member artists who live in Leicestershire and Rutland and their work. .

Pastel Society of Ireland | Home

The Pastel Society of Ireland was formed in 1988 by a group of dedicated pastel painting artists who felt that there was a need to provide a forum where pastelists could meet to discuss and promote the highly individual art of pastel painting. The Society aims to encourage and promote the art and practice of pastel painting throughout Ireland by bringing together pastel artists with a wide range of abilities, so that their crafts, skills and artistic abilities may be enjoyed and shared.

Pastel Society of Ireland (Blog)

Pastel Society of Ireland Blog

The Pastel Society - Annual Exhibitions

the best in pastels by artists living in the United Kingdom

MAKING A MARK: Review: The Pastel Society's Annual Exhibition - Colour 2011

This is a review of Colour 2011 - the 112th Annual Exhibition of The Pastel Society

MAKING A MARK: How to enter the Pastel Society's 112th Annual Exhibition

For those of you who are tempted to submit work here is a summary of the conditions for entry.

MAKING A MARK: The Pastel Society - Annual Exhibition 2010

A review of the 111th Annual Exhibition of The Pastel Society

MAKING A MARK: Exhibition review: The Pastel Society's 110th Annual Exhibition

A review of the 110th Annual Exhibition of The Pastel Society

MAKING A MARK: The Pastel Society UK - 109th Annual Exhibition

A review of the 109th Annual Exhibition of The Pastel Society

MAKING A MARK: "Pastels Today" - The Pastel Society Exhibition (#1)

A review of the 108th Annual Exhibition of The Pastel Society

MAKING A MARK: The Pastel Society - Annual Exhibition 2006

A review of the 107th Annual Exhibition of The Pastel Society

Pastel Societies of Western Europe

Societe des Pastellistes de France

The oldest pastel society in the world, the Society of Pastel Artists in France was founded in 1885. It includes non-French artists

Pastel Guild of Europe

Pastel Guild of Europe

Art du pastel en france, The Art of the pastel, Societe de pastel, Pastel Society

"Art du Pastel en France" has been set up for all those who want to discover or share a passion for pastels:

ARTE DEL PASTELLO === Home Page ===

Arte del Pastello, dedicato ai pastellisti di tutto il mondo per mostrare le loro opere e la loro vita artistica on-line.
(This site appears to be mainly links and to have not been updated for a while)

ASPAS - Pintores Pastelistas Españoles (Association of Pastel Painters of Spain)

In July 2007 a group of Spanish Pastel painters created and legally registered our association ASPAS. Our intention is that this association will fulfil in Spain the important role that in other countries other similar associations have been developing for years, in the promotion and development of Art of Pastel

Pastel Society of Malta | Facebook

Welcome to a Facebook Page about Pastel Society of Malta.
The Pastel Society of Malta was founded in 2006 by a group of artists who love painting in pastel & who want to promote pastel as a medium.Member artists meet once a month to paint & exchange information & techniques. An exhibition is organised annually.

Pastel Societies of Eastern Europe

St. Petersburg Pastel Society, Russia

St. Petersburg Pastel Society

Pastel Societies of Australia

Pastel Society of Australia,Brisbane,Queensland

Pastel Painting Artist Society promoting pastel painting,workshops,art exhibitions and art demonstrations

The Pastel Society of Victoria Inc.

Membership currently exceeds 240 members.

The Pastel Society of Western Australia

The Society was formed in 1983 to cater to the needs of pastel artists of all levels of ability and to promote the medium to the public at large. The Society hosts one exhibition each year to offer artwork for sale by members and regularly invites experienced pastel artists to demonstrate their skills to members.

Pastel Societies of New Zealand

Pastels Artists of New Zealand

Promoting and Encouraging the Use of Pastel as a Serious Art Medium PANZ promotes pastel as a fine art medium to the public, artists, galleries and exhibition organisers to raise the profile of pastellists within New Zealand and overseas.

International Pastel Societies

International Association of Pastel Societies

International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) - Representing pastel societies uniting in a common cause - to demonstrate the validity and quality of pastel fine art around the world.

IAPS Member Societies - FIND A SOCIETY NEAR YOU: UNITED STATES

FIND A SOCIETY NEAR YOU: UNITED STATES

Artists Network - Find a Pastel Society

Find a Pastel Society - The Artists Network, the leading online destination for art inspiration, tips and products - Find a Pastel Society">