The Pastel Society of Southern California Invites Public to its 14th Annual Gallery Exhibition --Gala Reception and Pastel Quick-Draw Event, Saturday, April 29, 1-4 p.m.--
The Pastel Society of Southern California (PSSC) announces its 14th Annual Gallery Exhibition showcasing members' artworks, to be held April 26 - May 21 at the Promenade on the Peninsula, 550 Deep Valley Dr., Suite 117.
The show features original paintings by nationally recognized pastel artists, as well as local PSSC members from Palos Verdes, the South Bay, the greater Southern California area and nationwide. A total of 87 artworks, including landscapes, seascapes, still life, florals, animals and portraits/figures will be on display, most of which are available for purchase.
The public is invited to attend the Gala Reception, including Artist Awards and Quick-Draw on Saturday, April 29, from 1-4 p.m. at the Promenade gallery. Light hors d’ oeuvres and drinks will be served. For a special treat, attendees can watch multiple artists create their artwork from scratch in a timed “Quick Draw” live simultaneous event from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Each of the finished pastel pieces will then be donated to an “opportunity drawing” for attendees to try and win.
“We are delighted to present the 14th Annual Members’ Exhibition to the art lovers of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and surrounding South Bay communities,” said Kathy Anderson, President, PSSC. “Education and art instruction with pastel is the focus of the Pastel Society of Southern California, founded in 2009. Our society continues to grow, and includes members from local, national, and international communities.”
The show is juried by award-winning pastel artist Susan Kuznitsky (susankuznitsky.com) from Portland, Ore. and judged by master pastelist Patricia Prescott Sueme of Orange County, Calif. (prescottstudio.art).
Generous prize sponsors include Richeson Art, Dakota Art Pastels, PanPastel, Holbein, Ampersand, Sun Eden, Terry Ludwig, Armadillo Art & Craft (Art Spectrum), Event sponsors include VEFA (Visual Experience Fine Art) Gallery, and Pavilions (Rolling Hills Estates). The grand prize, “The Carole Kearns Best of Show Memorial Award,” sponsored by Joe Kearns, will be presented in memory of the Society’s beloved treasurer, Carole, who was a Palos Verdes resident.
Pastel comes from the French word, pastiche, which means paste or powder. It is pure pigment in a stick, with just a small amount of binder, and it can produce glorious color and light refraction. It is also extremely archival, standing the test of time for more than 400 years...as evidenced by the artwork of famous early pastel artists Quentin De La Tour, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt and others, whose pieces are shown in museums worldwide. Today’s pastel artists incorporate many new techniques and advanced materials, with styles ranging from traditional to contemporary.
The PSSC gallery is located on the lower level of the Promenade directly below The Regal theatre in the former space occupied by The Loft. Free parking is available in the mall parking structure. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The PSSC is a 501(c)-3 nonprofit organization and member of the International Association of Pastel Societies. Visit psscwebsite.org for more information.
If you are unable to attend the reception in person, you can watch the Awards Ceremony and Pastel Quick Draw LIVE (from 1:30-3:30 p.m.) by clicking on this ZOOM LINK NOW to register in advance. The passcode if needed is 412594.
Warmest regards,
Chris Stillians,
PSSC Exhibition Vice President
