Meet-Up and Plein Air Paint-Out at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

401 Museum Dr. Hagerstown, MD 21740

Sunday, August 23, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm

If you have never visited the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagarstown, it's a real treasure!  

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts (WCMFA) has been recognized as one of the finest small museums in the United States. The Museum serves as a centerpiece in the beautiful historic City Park in Hagarstown, Maryland. There are plenty of lovely views to paint.  

If you don't want to paint outdoors, you are invited to come and tour the museum instead.  There are three current exhibitions that you will surely want to visit, to include artwork of the beloved Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau.  

There is no rain date for this event. If the weather is not suitable for plein air painting, we invite you to come anyway to enjoy the museum. Note: You may NOT paint inside the museum, but if you wish to bring a small sketch pad and make sketches (pencil only please), that is ok.

There is plenty of parking and admission is free.

If you are new to plein air painting, limit your kit.  You need to comfortably carry all the supplies you need.  Be sure to clean up after yourself (leave no trace). Also, visitors to the park are likely to stop, observe, and ask questions.  That's part of the plein air experience.  Be gracious with your answers and enjoy the opportunity to share your love of pastels.

Here are some resources you may find useful:

MPS Checklist for Plein Air Painters 

Karen Margulis’ Blog article: Packing for Plein Air with Pastels

Pastel Today article: 11 Tips for Pastel Painting En Plein Air  by Lorenzo Chavez 

Richard McKinley’s tips for pastel painting en plein air

3rd Quarter

Signature Member Applications

Due August 29, 2026

Maryland Pastel Society members in good standing may submit work to be juried for signature member status.  Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis.

Signature member status represents the member's achieving excellence in the use of soft pastel and application of the principles of design.

Guidelines and Standards

Principles of Design are used when evaluating artwork submitted with applications for Signature status. Ensure that you understand all of the guidelines and that your work displays appropriate qualities as described in the MPS Principles of Design. Visit the Member Resources page to download the MPS Principles of Design.

When you are ready to submit your application packet, send it to signature@  marylandpastelsociety.org

Requirements for artwork:

By submitting your application for Signature membership, you attest that the artwork you submit meets all four of the following:

• Was executed primarily (80 % or more) in soft pastel;
• Is of your own original concept and execution, not derived from any published or created images to which you do not hold the copyright;
• Has not been executed in whole or in part in an instructor-led classroom or workshop setting and;
• Was completed within the past three years.

To complete this application, you will need: 

• a one-page resume.

• 5 Digital images of your paintings, their titles & sizes. Images should be of high quality, cropped neatly to show only the paintings. Do not include framing or any distracting background in the image. Size should be reported as Height x Width (H x W) in inches (e.g. 8x10)

Applications will be reviewed at the upcoming MPS Board Meeting. 

Please contact signature @ marylandpastelsociety.org if you have questions.

Three-Day Workshop

with Kim Eschelman

Please check back later for details.

Fall General Meeting

Mark your calendars now. Check back later for details.

 Quarter

Signature Member Applications

Due November 28, 2026

Maryland Pastel Society members in good standing may submit work to be juried for signature member status.  Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis.

Signature member status represents the member's achieving excellence in the use of soft pastel and application of the principles of design.

Guidelines and Standards

Principles of Design are used when evaluating artwork submitted with applications for Signature status. Ensure that you understand all of the guidelines and that your work displays appropriate qualities as described in the MPS Principles of Design. Visit the Member Resources page to download the MPS Principles of Design.

When you are ready to submit your application packet, send it to signature@  marylandpastelsociety.org

Requirements for artwork:

By submitting your application for Signature membership, you attest that the artwork you submit meets all four of the following:

• Was executed primarily (80 % or more) in soft pastel;
• Is of your own original concept and execution, not derived from any published or created images to which you do not hold the copyright;
• Has not been executed in whole or in part in an instructor-led classroom or workshop setting and;
• Was completed within the past three years.

To complete this application, you will need: 

• a one-page resume.

• 5 Digital images of your paintings, their titles & sizes. Images should be of high quality, cropped neatly to show only the paintings. Do not include framing or any distracting background in the image. Size should be reported as Height x Width (H x W) in inches (e.g. 8x10)

Applications will be reviewed at the upcoming MPS Board Meeting. 

Please contact signature @ marylandpastelsociety.org if you have questions.