News

A member of the new generation of pastel artists, Corey Pitkin PSA is predominantly a self-taught artist whose work transcends the practice of observational painting from life. Pitkin’s work is an exploration of ephemeral beauty expressed simply and genuinely. Using muted colors complimented with subtle edge work, his pieces shift and glimmer yet maintain their precision. His subjects are memories that slip away when you try to hold onto them for more than a moment.

Pitkin’s award-winning work has been featured in The Pastel Journal, Art Renewal Center, Portrait Society of America, and International Artist magazine, and is held in collections across the world. Pitkin teaches frequently in his local art community and regularly travels for workshops. He currently resides in upstate New York with his wife Esther and children Anastasia and Xavier.

FULL LENGTH VIDEO DEMONSTRATION         14 MINUTE TIME LAPSE VIDEO 

For the first time in its 48-year history, Pastel Society of America’s Annual Exhibition 2020 will be held online. It will not have a physical presence in the Grand Gallery of the National Arts Club (NAC). The Gallery of the NAC, where the exhibition has been held for all of PSA’s history, is understandably closed to the public until further notice.

All $40,000 in awards will be distributed as planned with selections made by our esteemed awards juror Marjorie Shelley, Metropolitan Museum of Art conservator and pastel expert. New awards totaling $5000 have been given anonymously by a first-time donor.

Our popular gallery events – the gallery walk-through and reception, Materials Fair, and Annual Dinner – are all canceled at this point, but we are currently in the planning stages for online events. Announcements with more information will be forthcoming.

We ask for your understanding during this very difficult time. It’s up to all of us to slow the spread of COVID-19. Everyone, including young and healthy people, should avoid large gatherings. Stay up-to-date with public health guidelines from the CDC. And, look forward to more PSA communications about online activities.

The prospectus for The Pastel Society of America 48th Annual
Exhibition Enduring Brilliance! 2020
has been updated on ShowSubmit and the PSA website.
See the updated prospectus by clicking on these links.

Prospectus on PSA website          Prospectus on ShowSubmit

Master Pastelist Gallery Submissions

We are updating the Master Pastelist Gallery on the PSA website. If you are a Master Pastelist and would like to be included, please email the information below to psamastergallery@gmail.com.

• Include 3 images. Images should be 300 dpi resolution with the longest side 1200 pixels.

• Files should be saved as last name_first initial_title. Example:   Wright_J_Sunflowers.jpg

• Include a short bio of approximately 200 words.

• Include your website link.

We hope to update the Master Gallery as often as possible, but please be patient — we have more than 140 Master Pastelists!

Email the above information to:

psamastergallery@gmail.com