News

After 11 years of dedicated service, Leslie Lillien Levy PSA-MP (left) has resigned from the PSA Board of Governors to devote more time in her home community of Kent, Connecticut, to a family experiencing an emergency humanitarian crisis. Leslie writes, “My involvement with this family, as well as my heavy participation in local, state, and national politics prompted me to reexamine and rank my priorities. During the 11 years I have been on the board, I have had some of the most rewarding experiences in my life. You’re all my family, and it is a difficult decision to leave the nest. I plan to continue painting and will help my replacement with the transition.”

During her tenure, Leslie served on the board’s executive committee as corresponding secretary. In addition to organizing receiving at the PSA Annual, Leslie utilized her managerial experience in national network advertising to apply a professional approach to PSA’s communications. One of Leslie’s initiatives was the creation of the PSA eblast program.

As PSA president, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Signature member Kristin Divers to the PSA Board of Governors. Kristin will fill the Class 2 seat vacated by Leslie Levy before the end of the current term. Kristin’s vision of community building as life-long vocation makes her a natural to take on the society’s communications program, including eblasts, as the first of her board responsibilities.

Kristin’s formal education was in studio art and art therapy. Over the years, she took (or taught) an occasional art class, mostly in drawing technique. In 2000, she took her first pastel class. She was hooked, and started to focus studio time on pastel work. She has sporadically taken workshops around the eastern US from contemporary pastel artists she admires, focusing on growing her mastery of this wonderful medium. She lives in Pittsburgh, but spends significant time in New York City.

Thank you Leslie for the many years of innovative, unselfish, and enthusiastic service to PSA. We extend a hearty welcome to Kristin as she begins her tenure on the PSA Board of Governors.

SEPTEMBER 3 – 28
GRAND GALLERY
NATIONAL ARTS CLUB
15 Gramercy Park South, NY, NY

Friday, September 20
Gallery Tour & Reception 6-8 pm
Commentator: Richard McKinley PSA-MP, HFH
Open to public — free of charge

Saturday, September 21
Materials Fair 10am – 4 pm
Portfolio Reviews 11 am – 1 pm

Sunday, September 22
Awards Ceremony 4 pm
Annual Dinner and Raffle Drawing 6:30 pm

Saturday, September 28
Weekend Demonstration
Deborah Quinn-Munson PSA 1-3:30 pm
Free of charge

Click here to view the slideshow and awards.

The PSA Raffle benefits the PSA School for Pastels at the National Arts Club.

Book of six tickets $25
2 Books $40

PSA members will receive raffle books in the mail. Tickets are available to the public at the exhibition and by contacting the PSA office by email or phone.

Winning entries will be drawn at the Annual Dinner.

View the paintings and read the bios here.

PSA’s 47th Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance! is now open for submissions.

Go to www.showsubmit.com/sd_psa19.php for more information and to enter. See you there!

The Collectors Purchase Program is unique to Pastel Society of America.

When artists submit their paintings for the Annual Exhibition, they may choose to participate in the Collectors Purchase Program with works priced at $1,000 and above. If an artist’s  painting is selected by a collector, she receives a flat fee of $1,000. Collectors agree to donate $1,000 in advance for artworks of their choice among those designated. Both artists and collectors benefit. PSA asks no commission from the artists; collectors may be able to purchase paintings often priced higher than $1,000.

The 2018 Collectors Purchase Program bought the works of Lyn Asselta, Sandra Burshell, Roberta Condon, Adrian Giuliani, Ray Hassard, Cristine Kossow, Maryann Mullett, Renee Mullis, and Anna Wainright.

PSA actively seeks new collectors to join the program. If you are interested in becoming a collector or would like more information, contact Arlene Thek at artsee@optonline.net.