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Annual Exhibition Exhibition for Pastels Only |
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A primary mandate of the Pastel Society of America (PSA) is to provide a forum for the exhibition of works by the most accomplished of pastel artists in the U.S. and abroad. The Annual Open Juried Exhibition for Pastels Only is held during the month of September in the main gallery of The National Arts Club, a historic mansion located in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan.
Accepted entries usually number 170 to 200 pastels out of more than 1,000 entries. Prizes amounting to over $25,000 in both cash and pastel materials are presented at a special awards ceremony, which also recognizes the "Hall of Fame" honoree and the "Friend of Pastel" honoree, followed by the annual dinner in the gallery. During these festivities coveted prizes are raffled, with winners receiving one of several original pastels by exceptional artists that have donated their work for the occasion.
The word "Open" in the exhibit's title means that any pastel artist, whether a PSA member or not, may apply. Take advantage of the opportunity to have your art exhibited with America's finest pastel artists and displayed before a discerning audience of art professionals, collectors and an appreciative public in the center of New York's art world.
Award recipients are chosen by an outside panel of three distinguished judges who are artists and leading professionals in the visual arts. There are two awards of $5,000. The Founder's Awards given by The Flora B. Giffuni Foundation and The Jack Richeson Award given by Jack Richeson in memory of Flora B. Giffuni. The Art Spirit Foundation- Dianne B. Bernhard, PSA Gold Medal Award of $3,000, The Flora B. and Joseph V. Giffuni memorial Award of $2,500 given by JoAnn and Ken Wellner, The Great American Artworks gift certificate valued at $1,920, The Herman Margulies Award for Excellence of $1,500, The Pastel Society of America Award of $1,000 in memory of Flora B. Giffuni, The Pastel Journal Award of $1,000 and The President's Award of $1,000 given by Rae Smith. Total awards number more than 50.
During the annual exhibitions, it has been a tradition to schedule many accompanying activities, including demonstrations, workshops, a gallery tour, and displays of the latest pastel materials, in addition to the awards ceremony and dinner.
The exhibition, the culmination of PSA activities of the year, acknowledges the professional excellence of participating artists and helps promote the finest examples of pastel to the general public, the professional art world, art students and art collectors. |
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America’s Oldest Existing Pastel Society |
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Copyright 2012 Pastel Society of America. All Rights Reserved |
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Popular instructor, author and painter Bill Creevy was inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame by President Rae Smith |
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If you were unable to make it to New York to see our 39th Annual exhibition at the National Arts Club, we have assembled a pictorial and editorial wrap up.
Please click here to view the wrap up.
Please click here to view the 2011 award winners.
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