Show Preview | Mile High Pastel Exhibition

Littleton, CO
Littleton Museum, July 6-August 20

Jennifer Eubanks, Apples, pastel, 14 x 16.

Jennifer Eubanks, Apples, pastel, 14 x 16.

This story was featured in the July 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art  July 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.

The Pastel Society of Colorado, now one of the largest pastel societies in North America, presents its 13th annual Mile High National Pastel Exhibition with the goal of honoring both the medium and the artists who wield it. The show features artworks ranging in subject matter from abstract to landscape to cityscape and everything in between. It opens on Thursday, July 6, with a reception and awards ceremony from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This year, over 100 artists from across the United States and abroad submitted 332 paintings to the competition. Renowned pastelist Tony Allain acts as both juror and awards judge, whittling down the submissions to just 97 pieces that remain on display at the Littleton Museum through Sunday, August 20. All work in the show is for sale and can be viewed in a catalog published on the organization’s website. Artists featured range from established pastelists to those just starting out in their careers. “We want it to be approachable for everyone,” says Nancy Welter, co-chair of the event. Participating artists include William Schneider, Judith Scott, Elizabeth Corbett, Paul Birchak, and Alberto Piedra Fernández.

Welter says Allain’s own approach to painting brings a unique perspective to the exhibition. “He’s not representational and not really into realism, but he is a painter of light and movement with a contemporary flair,” she says. In addition to providing a demonstration during the opening reception, Allain also teaches three workshops to convey his philosophy about pastel painting.

This year the exhibition moves from its previous home at the Denver Public Library to the living-history venue of the Littleton Museum. “As a society we don’t have a specific venue; we move around the community,” Welter says. “We want to make it easy for everyone to see the work, and not just in the metro area, because we are representing a statewide population.”

After 23 years operating on the passion of artists and volunteers, the Pastel Society of Colorado continues to gain new membership and interest. “The exhibition has been quite consistent in its mission to get this remarkable medium out there and give exposure to artists who are deserving,” says organization member Susan Foster. —Mackenzie McCreary

contact information
www.pastelsocietyofcolorado.org

This story was featured in the July 2017 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art  July 2017 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.

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