Entries are now open for the Arkansas Pastel Society’s biennial APS Juried Membership Show.
Submit your artwork now through 11:59 pm PST on October 4 at onlinejuriedshows.com. You must be a paid-up APS member to enter.
The show opens November 20th in the gallery of the Argenta Public Library in North Little Rock.
This year’s juror: Aaron Schuerr, a plein air landscape painter working in both oil and pastel, based in Livingston, Montana. He is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, the American Impressionist Society, and the West Coast Pastel Society. He has received a number of awards including Best Pastel at the Plein Air Salon Awards. He also teaches workshops, has produced instructional pastel videos, and writes for The Pastel Journal and The Artist Magazine. Learn more at aaronschuerr.com.
The prospectus and full submission details are available here.
The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) held its 2026 PastelWorld Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from June 16 to 21. More than 650 artists from 12 countries and every U.S. state came together for a week of exhibitions, education, and celebration of pastel art, and the Arkansas Pastel Society was well represented.
The week included the PastelWorld Exhibition, a juried show featuring 175 artists from around the world, along with the Opening Reception and Artist Awards Ceremony, the Artist Autograph Book Signing, the vendor hall (aka the “Candy Store”), Fiesta Night, and the Honors Banquet closing out the convention.
A Proud Week for the Arkansas and Ozark Pastel Societies
Members from both the Arkansas Pastel Society (APS) and the Ozark Pastel Society (OPS) traveled to Albuquerque, and our region had a lot to celebrate. Shirley Anderson, Caprise Cooper, Clint Howard, Susan Hurst, Charles Peer, and Cindy Rowden were accepted into the PastelWorld show.
Several of our own members, many active in both societies, were recognized with top honors during the event:
Susan Hurst (APS/OPS) received her Master Circle Honor
Charles Peer (OPS/APS) received his Eminent Pastelist Honor
Clint Howard (OPS/APS) received his Master Circle Honor
Margi Tucker (OPS/APS) received her Master Circle Honor
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A New Chapter of Leadership for Arkansas
Arkansas’ presence in the international pastel community goes beyond the exhibition hall. Two of our members now serve on the IAPS Board of Directors:
Shirley Anderson (APS/OPS), President of IAPS
Caprise Cooper (APS/OPS), newly elected Vice President of IAPS
Congratulations to Shirley and Caprise on these leadership roles. Having two Arkansas artists on the IAPS Board is a wonderful reflection of the strength and dedication of our local pastel community.
Congratulations to Our Members
Congratulations to everyone from the Arkansas Pastel Society and Ozark Pastel Society who attended, exhibited, and were recognized at this year’s PastelWorld Convention. We’re proud of the work our members put into their art and the way they represented Arkansas on the international stage.
The Arkansas Pastel Society hosted its 10th National Exhibition, Reflections in Pastel, at the Laman Library Gallery in North Little Rock. The exhibition opened on November 17 and remained on display through January 12, 2024.
Tom Christopher served as juror and judge for the exhibition and presented the awards during the opening reception.
Award Winners
Best of Show Looks Like Rain – Dennis McCann
First Place The Red Hat – Jean Lewis (Chicago)
Second Place Oak Room Experience – Georgia Chastain
Third Place Lady of the Field – Margi Tucker
Honorable Mention September Splendor – Marcie Ballowe (Montana)
Honorable Mention River of Dancing Waters – Roy Crawford
Honorable Mention Joshua – Terri deNatale (Texas)
Arkansas Artist Award Special Treats – Susan Hurst
Visitors to the reception gathered in the gallery to hear the award winners announced and celebrate the artists whose work was selected for the exhibition.
The Reflections in Pastel exhibition showcased a wide range of pastel artwork and brought together artists and art enthusiasts to celebrate the pastel medium.
Learn more about Arkansas Pastel Society membership.
We had a wonderful evening at the APS Juried Membership Show reception. It was at the Argenta Branch Library Gallery in North Little Rock. Charles Peer was the Juror of Selection and Awards. The show will be up through December 9. If you are unable to attend in person, you can view the show here. Below is a slideshow from the event.
Arkansas Pastel Society 