News

Calling All Plein Air Painters! Join Nancy Kennedy on one Thursday of every month for painting in the Charlotte area. Click here for current information on location, time and directions.

Patty Russell and Rita Smith

Patty Russell enjoyed a long career in education serving as a teacher and more recently as the Assistant Principal of a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System.  When she retired, it opened opportunities to pursue her interest in oil and pastel painting.  She explored these mediums by taking lessons, workshops and by joining art societies such as The Piedmont Pastel Society.  It was at a workshop with Master Pastelist, Jeanne Rosier Smith, that she met Dr. Rita Smith, who shares the role of PPS President, along with Patty.  She has said, “I always enjoy sitting with Rita at a workshop because she has the latest and greatest pastel accessories, not to mention a fun personality!”

When Patty Russell was invited to take on an important leadership role with the PPS Board, she was reluctant.  “I’m no expert!” she said.  But when the idea of sharing this role with her friend and fellow pastelist, Rita Smith, came along, she knew it would be an enjoyable and meaningful collaboration.  

Dr. Rita Smith picked up “the chalk “ three years ago and fell in love with pastel’s color and immediacy.  Newly retired, Rita spent 35 years in corporate senior executive roles. Most recently, she was an associate professor at UNC Charlottes Belk College of Business. Rita hopes that her business and leadership experience will offset her relative pastel novice status. She is thrilled to be working closely with her workshop Buddy, Patty Russell.  

artGuide Magazine - 

Click here to go to blog post about our exhibition

artGuide Magazine was founded in 2010 with the  purpose of promoting and advocating the visual arts.  Through innovative editorials, calendar of events, and a full gallery and museum directory with maps, artGuide serves its patron readership with a one-of-a-kind, all inclusive source of art information.

Published twelve times a year, artGuide informs readers about the happenings of the entire visual arts community, from galleries, museums, art schools, artists, events, and organizations.  Through a simple layout, professionally written editorials, and large illustrations, artGuide attracts an ever-growing readership from patrons.

Since 2010 artGuide has grown into a regional leader of art promotion.  Through partnerships with top art museums, top art organizations, and top art schools artGuide has been able to develop sought-after content that art patrons value.

Upcoming partnerships with high-tech mobile app developers will see a first-in-the-nation gallery guide app covering art scenes from across the nation.

Our perpetual growth and wide reach ensures the promotion of art to a very targeted art-centric readership.

2016 Statewide Pastel Exhibition

  On Common Ground

Hickory Museum of Art - May 21 - August 21

HickoryArt.org/events/

Reception May 21 - 6:00 pm to 8:00pm

Elizabeth Mowry, PSA - Juror

Click here for List of Winning Artists

Lily Pads by Maggie Whitney - 2015 Grand Prize Winner

Congratulations to our PPS members invited to this Exhibition

Kate Bergquist 

 Woodland Edge - Along The Fenceline

Malia Bryngelson

Happy Camper - In From the Outback

Judith Cutler

Catharsis

Terry Davis

Twilight through the Mist

Jay DeChesere

Keffer Oak - Hold On There!

Michael Ericsson

Sammy's

Jeannie Gilland

Golden Glow

Anthony Hedrick

Full English Breakfast, Burford, Cotswold, England

L. Hudson-Tolles

The Pony Warriors:  After Battle

Nancy Marshburn

Requiem in Blue - Soulful Blues

Pam Neighbors

Sweet Dreams - Early Dance

Diane Pike

The Wren

Laura Pollak

Coastal Quiet

Kurt Weiser

Valley Ridge (Diptych) - Climbing Vine

CLICK HERE for prospectus 

Announcing our 2015 Members Exhibit.

"Piedmont Pastel Society Third Annual Calendar Show"

We will showcase Piedmont Pastel Society members for their individual style. All members are encouraged to enter work with any subject matter for a non-juried exhibit at the McDowell Arts Center, 123 McDowell Street, Matthew NC 28105 on October 4 to November 7, 2015. 

Click 2015-PROSPECTUS-calendar-show.pdf to download PPS 2015 Member Show Prospectus                             "Pumpkin Hollow"

                                                                                      by Nancy Marshburn

                                                                                         2014 Calendar Winner!

Last year our calendar was sold internationally! This is great publicity for our society and each member!

Please contact Exhibit Chair, NICKI SHISHAKLY,

if you have any questions.

PPS took 2 of the top awards for the 2015 Statewide Exhibition! 

First Place went to Walter Stanford for “King of South America”

Second Place went to Diane Pike for “Evening Grosbeak”.

Product Award recipients were as follows:

Walter Stanford, “The Eagle Owl”

Anthony Hedrick, “Butchers Morning Off, Aix en Provence”

Judith Cutler, “Maple Seeds #8”

Nancy Marshburn, “Boys and their Toys”

Laura Pollak, “Through the Arches”

Kurt Weiser, “Valley Morning

Nancy Marshburn, “Radish Family”

Deb Rasberry, “Looking Back”

Malia Bryngelson, “Grab a Bite”

Verna Hash, “Martha”

Regina Burchett, “Higher”

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD RECIPIENTS FROM THE PIEDMONT PASTEL SOCIETY!!!!!