Pastel Society of Southern California
16th Annual Members’ Exhibition
2025 Official Prospectus
REQUIREMENTS & EXHIBITION INFO:
· To be eligible to participate in this show, you must be a current paid member of PSSC at the time of entering this exhibition.
· Each member in good standing is guaranteed at least one piece in the show, as anonymously selected by our Special Invited Juror, Aaron Schuerr. Aaron is an award winning artist from Montana. His breathtaking pastels and oils depict nature in its finest glory. Plein Air painting is Aaron’s specialty as he travels the country to invitational events. He is a Signature Member of Pastel Society of America, American Impressionist Society and Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. Visit his website for more info and to see his beautiful artworks - aaronschuerr.com
· Each member may submit unlimited images for an entry fee of $30 for the first 2. You may enter as many additional images as you like for an additional fee of $10 each. Entry fees are non-refundable. You must enter online on OnlineJuriedShows.
· Log in and click Enter This Show to begin your submissions.
· Participation requires gallery docents to sit in the show to keep the exhibition open. Sign-up time slots will be available via the “Sign Up Genius” website. (Out-of-area members more than 100-miles away from the exhibit venue are not obligated to fulfill this responsibility.)
DEADLINES and OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
· Sunday, March 9 -- Final day to submit digital images and pay jurying fee to OnlineJuriedShows
· Monday, March 17 -- (Tentative date) Notification of acceptance (results will be available in your OnlineJuriedShows artist profile)
· Saturday, April 26-- 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. – Take-In: Deliver your accepted and ready-to-hang painting(s) to Riviera United Methodist Church - 375 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA.
The galleries will be located in the two upper level ocean view rooms.
· *Note: Out-of-area members, please see Shipping Instructions, below.
· Thursday, May 1 – Show opens 11:00 a.m.
· Saturday, May 3 1-4 p.m. – Gala Reception and Awards
· Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily beginning Sat May 1.
· Saturday, May 10 - Noon – Show closes. Please pick up artwork after PSSC Meeting that day.
· Please make arrangements for pickup if this day does not work for you.
AWARDS:
· The accepted paintings will be judged in person by our Invited Distinguished Judge, Lisa Skelly. Lisa is a pastel artist who is deeply inspired by the beauty of nature. Through her paintings, she captures the essence of the natural world, with a particular focus on seascapes, landscapes, waves, skies and clouds. Lisa Skelly is a Signature member of Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and belongs to the Pastel Society of America, Pastel Society of the West Coast, California Art Club and several other art organizations. She recently won Best of Show at the SLO-Poke Western Art Show in 2024 and Best Plein Air Pastel in Plein Air Salon magazine January 2023 issue. For more info on Lisa Skelly, visit her website - lisaskellyfineart.com.
· Awards will be given at a gala awards reception for the following:
First Place, Second Place, Third Place and two Honorable Mentions in both the Gold and Silver categories; and First Place in The Novice category; and one Best in Show overall.
One People’s Choice Award also will be given at the reception, as voted on by the attendees.
Best in Show and People’s Choice are not categorized in Gold, Silver or Novice.
You may enter one category as defined below.
Gold Category:
This category is for all eligible PSSC members who are professional artists, art teachers, or painters with years of experience. The submitting artist will determine if their painting will be submitted into this category. Artists entering in this category are not eligible to enter the “Silver” or the “Novice” category.
Silver Category:
This category is for emerging artists who do not consider themselves established at a professional level. The submitting artist will determine if their painting will be submitted into this category. Artists entering in this category are not eligible to enter the “Gold” or “Novice” category. Past Silver Award winners are encouraged to enter Gold Category.
Novice Category:
This category is open to all eligible PSSC members who are beginning artists and/or student artists. The submitting artist will determine if their painting will be submitted into this category. Artists entering this category are not eligible to enter the “Gold” or “Silver” category. Previous Novice Award winners are no longer eligible for the Novice Category.
RULES:
· The artwork’s final layer must be (80%) soft pastel.
· Artwork DOES NOT have to be for sale.
· Artwork must be original and personally executed, not copied from other artists or from published or copyrighted materials or from someone else’s real life/still life set-up or photo. Artists working from reference photographs must use their own photo that they have personally taken. Paintings using photos taken by another photographer, even used with permission, will not be accepted.
· Artwork may not have been accomplished in a directed, step-by-step class or workshop.
· Artwork must have been completed in the last 2 years and may not have been exhibited in a PSSC show before.
· Artwork image size must be no longer than 36” in either direction (not including frame).
· Painting must be wired for hanging. Use D-rings or screw eyes only, placed 1/3 down from the top of the frame. Saw tooth hangers are unacceptable. Use braided wire that is sturdy enough to support the artwork. The peak of the hanging wire should be approximately 3 inches from the top of the center of the frame. Frames must be sturdy, neat, and simple. Mats, if used, are to be clean and well cut.
· Artwork may not be removed from the show until the exhibit closes. Artwork may not be moved from exhibit walls after placement by the Exhibition Director.
· All paintings shall be delivered with an attached label specifying: Artist Name, contact information, Painting Title, Painting Size (H” x W”), Sales price (If not for sale, please indicate NFS), and the category being entered, (Gold, Silver, or Novice).
· In addition, print the artist name on the back of the painting, stretcher bar or frame so that we can identify the painting in the event the label is inadvertently detached.
Image files must be jpg, under 4 mb, and in sRGB colorspace. For best results, image files should be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side @ 72 dpi.
For help with your submissions, contact onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com or 888-666-1351
REVENUE FROM SALES:
· PSSC receives 20% commission from any sales of artwork accepted into this show. The Artists will handle their own sales individually and send PSSC 20% commission. This fee helps with the cost of our future events.
LIABILITY:
· Artwork will be handled with the utmost care. PSSC and Riviera United Methodist Church will make every reasonable effort to keep artwork safe. Artists are responsible for ensuring their own pieces. PSSC and Riviera United Methodist Church and their representatives will not be responsible for loss, theft or damage of artworks while in the organization’s possession or in transit, including those artworks sold during the exhibition. A signed waiver form for accepted works at the take-in shall constitute agreement with ALL conditions set forth in this prospectus.
*SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:
• If artists cannot drop-off accepted artwork in person during the designated date and time, artwork must be shipped. SHIPPING INFO is as follows: Out-of-town shipments MUST arrive on one of the following days: Monday April 21, Tues April 22, Wed April 23, Thurs April 24.
• Artists will be responsible for the cost of crating, handling, and shipping artwork to and from the Exhibition. Include the return prepaid shipping label inside the box. Remember to allow up to 4 days delivery time for your artwork. Both UPS and FedEx Ground recommend a minimum of 3 inches padding around paintings to ensure safe delivery. AirFloat Artwork boxes are recommended.
• Please ship artwork to: Riviera United Methodist Church, 375 Palos Verdes Blvd, Redondo Beach, Ca 90277. Please note - ATTN: PSSC Lynn Attig
• Any unsold out-of-town artwork will be returned after May 11 via FedEx or UPS, depending on which carrier was used for the original delivery. Please make sure your pre-paid return slip is included in the packaging and that it has a bar-code for scanning. All paintings will be returned in the original package only, and we are not responsible for damage due to re-use of inadequate packaging material.
• Please notify Jolene Paige (949)436-1536 or ocjolene@gmail.com, if you need to schedule an alternate take-in or pickup date or time.
It is the Artist’s responsibility to pick up their artwork on the designated pick up days and times.
If that is not possible, the artist should make arrangements for someone else to pick it up. Failing the above procedure, the artwork will be shipped back to the artist after the artist pays PSSC a handling fee of $25 plus packaging and shipping costs.
PSSC thanks you for entering our 2025 Member Exhibition!