The recent IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) Convention was an amazing week of demos, workshops, trying and buying pastel products and most importantly, celebrating PPS members juried into the IAPS Exhibition! PPS Members included in this exclusive show were Judith Cutler, Tracy Ference, Laura Pollak, Anne Strutz and Kurt Weiser. We were so proud to see our Society represented by their talent. Later that week, at the IAPS Exhibition Awards Ceremony, IAPS President Richard McKinley, presented the Prix De Pastel (highest award) to our own, Tracy Ference! We were honored and thrilled to be there as Tracy received this prestigious award. This also qualifies her to receive her Masters Circle designation, one of the most important honors in the international pastel world. (Based on points accrued for acceptances into IAPS Juried Exhibitions and related awards.)

We also want to recognize PPS member and former Piedmont Pastel President, Kurt Weiser, for his significant contributions as an IAPS Board Member and Workshop Instructor during the Convention. Kurt was attentive to our PPS delegation and introduced IAPS Board Members and several Pastel Society Presidents and members to Patty and Rita. Anne Strutz, also former Piedmont Pastel President, was a favorite at the convention as well; serving not only as a volunteer, but also, as a Featured Artist in the Dueling Demonstrations! Anne had quite a cheering section as she created multiple paintings of Sunflowers in her expressive style using a brayer and other techniques which wowed the audience.

On Fiesta Night, Piedmont Pastel Society shared a table with our two sister North Carolina Societies; Appalachian Pastel Society and the North Carolina Pastel Society. This table was set up to provide convention participants with brochures and postcards publicizing our upcoming workshops and the 2020 NC Statewide Exhibition. We also conducted a Raffle which entitled 6 lucky winners to receive free memberships in all 3 societies! This Raffle was very successful, unique to our societies, and added new members to our membership rosters! Over 70 artists from all over the world signed up hoping to win this valuable prize!

In summary, we realized, once again, how very fortunate we are to be involved with such a wonderful Piedmont Pastel Society where members celebrate and inspire each other to continue their artistic exploration of the pastel medium! Thank you for your membership and support of the Piedmont Pastel Society! We hope to see you soon at one of our upcoming events!

See our PPS members paintings and the entire  IAPS 2019 Exhibit.

Patty Russell and Rita Smith, 2019 Co-Presidents