2nd Quarter

Signature Member Applications

Due June 9, 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.

Glass and Petals:
The Secret of Values and Edges

Key Dates: 

• Workshop: July 9-10, 2026 (2 days)
• You may only register for the 1 OR 2 day workshops, not both. If you attended a Stephie Clark workshop in the past with MPS please wait until the Non-Member date to register. 
  
• 18 total registrants
• MPS Member Registration Begins: May 9, 2026
• Non-Member Registration Opens: June 9, 2026

Workshop Description:

Spend two inspiring days with internationally recognized pastel artist Stephie Clark as she shares the secrets behind painting luminous florals in glass. Known for her elegant floral work and passionate teaching, Stephie helps students simplify complex subjects into clear value shapes while mastering the subtle power of edges.

Students will explore transparency, reflections, color harmony, and painterly mark-making while learning how values create depth and realism, and edges create atmosphere, movement, and beauty. Whether your style is realistic or expressive, this workshop will strengthen your foundations and elevate your floral paintings with clarity and confidence.

About the Artist Instructor: 

Stephie Clark is an Australian soft pastel artist known for her luminous florals, joyful still lifes, and an unmistakable sense of movement and light. From her home studio in Armidale, nestled in the New England region of New South Wales, Stephie draws daily inspiration from the natural beauty around her—wandering gardens, seasonal blooms, and wild things found underfoot. Her work celebrates the simple poetry of petals, the glow of afternoon light on a vase, and the quiet delight of ordinary beauty. With soft pastels as her medium of choice, Stephie’s approach is intuitive, playful, and rich in color, often dancing between loose mark-making and fine detail. Entirely self-taught, Stephie has developed a distinctive, expressive style that resonates with collectors and students alike. Her work has been exhibited across Australia and internationally, and she is a sought-after tutor, known for her nurturing teaching style and vibrant workshops. Whether leading a class in person or online, Stephie gently encourages her students to see with fresh eyes, trust their instincts, and find the joy in each stroke. Alongside her studio practice, Stephie shares her process with a global community through Patreon, where she posts tutorials, critiques, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her creative world. She is passionate about making art accessible, heartfelt, and a little bit magical. When not painting, you’ll find Stephie sketching in her garden, curating themed art retreats, or crocheting something colorful. But always, she’s observing the dance of light—on petals, in shadows, across the everyday—and translating it into soft pastel whispers.

Contact Information:

Website: https://www.stephieclark.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Stephie-Clark/61554874092579/?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarks/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/12_stephieclark

Email: stephie.clark66@gmail.com

Details: 

• Cost: $270
• Dates: July 9-10, 2026
• Location: Gettysburg YWCA, 909 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325
• Registration opens for Members 4 weeks before non-members. 
• 2026 Supply List from Stephie Clark

Registration:

• Class size is limited to 18 and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis with priority given to Maryland Pastel Society members.  
• Accommodations, meals, and supplies not included.
• Full payment is required at the time of registration. Multiple payment options are available: credit card or check.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: Completion of the registration form AND receipt of full payment of $270 will place you on the roster.  A confirmation email will be sent to you after your full payment is received.  

Petals, Light and Magic:

The Essentials

Key Date: 

• Workshop: July 11, 2026 (1 day)
• You may only register for the 1 OR 2 day workshops, not both. If you attended a Stephie Clark workshop in the past with MPS please wait until the Non-Member date to register. 
• 18 total registrants
• MPS Member Registration Begins: May 9, 2026
• Non-Member Registration Opens: June 9, 2026

Workshop Description:

Join acclaimed pastel artist and instructor Stephie Clark for a joyful one-day workshop designed to unlock the essential techniques for painting beautiful florals in soft pastel. With her warm and encouraging teaching style, Stephie will guide students through the key foundations of successful flower painting—strong values, luminous color shifts, sparkling highlights, and expressive edges.

Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this condensed class offers practical tools, fresh inspiration, and a deeper understanding of how to bring petals to life with confidence and light.

About the Artist Instructor: 

Stephie Clark is an Australian soft pastel artist known for her luminous florals, joyful still lifes, and an unmistakable sense of movement and light. From her home studio in Armidale, nestled in the New England region of New South Wales, Stephie draws daily inspiration from the natural beauty around her—wandering gardens, seasonal blooms, and wild things found underfoot. Her work celebrates the simple poetry of petals, the glow of afternoon light on a vase, and the quiet delight of ordinary beauty. With soft pastels as her medium of choice, Stephie’s approach is intuitive, playful, and rich in color, often dancing between loose mark-making and fine detail. Entirely self-taught, Stephie has developed a distinctive, expressive style that resonates with collectors and students alike. Her work has been exhibited across Australia and internationally, and she is a sought-after tutor, known for her nurturing teaching style and vibrant workshops. Whether leading a class in person or online, Stephie gently encourages her students to see with fresh eyes, trust their instincts, and find the joy in each stroke. Alongside her studio practice, Stephie shares her process with a global community through Patreon, where she posts tutorials, critiques, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her creative world. She is passionate about making art accessible, heartfelt, and a little bit magical. When not painting, you’ll find Stephie sketching in her garden, curating themed art retreats, or crocheting something colorful. But always, she’s observing the dance of light—on petals, in shadows, across the everyday—and translating it into soft pastel whispers.

Contact Information:

Website: https://www.stephieclark.net/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Stephie-Clark/61554874092579/?_rdr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarks/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/12_stephieclark

Email: stephie.clark66@gmail.com

Details: 

• Cost: $135
• Dates: July 11, 2026, 9 am - 4 pm
• Location: Gettysburg YWCA, 909 Fairfield Rd, Gettysburg PA 17325
• Registration opens for Members 4 weeks before non-members. 
• 2026 Supply List from Stephie Clark

Registration:

• Class size is limited to 18 and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis with priority given to Maryland Pastel Society members.  
• Accommodations, meals, and supplies not included.
• Full payment is required at the time of registration. Multiple payment options are available: credit card or check.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: Completion of the registration form AND receipt of full payment of $135 will place you on the roster.  A confirmation email will be sent to you after your full payment is received.  

Summer General Meeting

Mark your calendars now. Check back later for details.

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.