Winter General Meeting

at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center

Mark your calendars now.  We're planning a fun activity for our January meeting that you won't want to miss!  Be sure to read our upcoming newsletter for details.

If you are attending in person, we ask that you register so we have a head-count to ensure we bring enough materials to hand out.

We'll also have some terrific donated pastel and art supplies available for purchase at affordable prices (all proceeds will be used for exhibition awards and programs).  

Friendly Reminder

Please renew your MPS membership. Thanks!

1st Quarter

Signature Member Applications

Due February 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: 

• Digital images of five paintings, their titles & sizes
• a one-page resume.
• Images should be of high quality, cropped neatly to show only the painting. Do not include frame 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 Summer MPS Board Meeting. 

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

One-Day Workshop

Exploring Pastel Papers with Laurie Basham

at the Beachkraft Gallery, Olney, MD

Please check back later for details.

One-Day Workshop

Painting Freely and Quickly with Laurie Basham

at the Beachkraft Gallery, Olney, MD

Please check back later for details.

Half-Day Workshop

Using Free Apps to Create Better Reference Photos

with Laurie Basham

at the Beachkraft Gallery, Olney, MD

Please check back later for details.

Spring General Meeting

at the Beachkraft Gallery, Olney, MD

Mark your calendars now, and please note that we will be at a different location for this meeting.