Arkansas Pastel Society 11th National Exhibition
Nov. 21, 2025 - Dec. 12, 2025
North Little Rock Argenta Public Library
420 Main St.
North Little Rock, AR 72114
Colette Odya Smith, Juror
A lifelong Wisconsin native, Ms. Smith is a painter of contemporary landscapes that often blur the distinctions between realism and abstraction. She earned her degree in Fine Art, Humanities, and Education at Macalester College in St. Paul and then taught public school art. A pastel class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design set her on her career path. Ms. Smith works from her home and studio in Wauwatosa, WI, not far from where she was raised. While her extensive travels nationally and internationally have expanded her vision and insights, she remains at heart a midwestern girl in love with the richness of the landscape she is grounded in.
Her paintings have received over 70 regional, national, and international awards. Ms. Smith has written articles and juried for the Pastel Journal and The Artists Magazine. She has been honored as a Maître Pastelliste by the Societe des Pastellistes de France, Master Pastelist and Advisory Board Member by the Pastel Society of America, Eminent Pastelist and Masters’ Circle member by the International Association of Pastel Societies, and Distinguished Pastelist by the Pastel Society of New Mexico.
2025 Calendar
· Sept. 6 – Digital entries deadline. Entries must be entered on OnlineJuriedShows by midnight on this date.
· Sept. 20 – Acceptance notifications sent out. Results will be available in your OnlineJuriedShows artist profile
· Nov. 11 - Deadline for receipt of shipped entries
· Nov. 14 –Receipt of hand delivered entries
· Nov 21- Opening Reception and Award Ceremony (Over $3000 in prizes, including $1000 for best of show)
· Nov. 21 – Show opens
· Dec. 12 – Show closes
· Dec. 12 - Pick up hand delivered entries
· Dec. 13 – Shipped entries returned
Sales
There is no commission taken by the library.
Eligibility
• Open to all artists 18 years old or older.
• Entries must be original, unpublished and executed within the last three years. Paintings that have won an award at a national level exhibition are not eligible. Best of Show winner from 2023 is not eligible this year.
• Entries must be at least 80% soft or oil pastel.
• Works produced in a class, workshop or under another artist’s supervision are not eligible. Images from the Internet or copyrighted materials may not be used as source. AI is not allowed to be used as a reference for the photos or the paintings.
• Accepted works may be refused if digital image does not accurately represent work.
• APS reserves the right to refuse any work submitted.
• Entries must be suitably framed under glass or plexiglass and ready to hang with wire (sawtooth hangers are not allowed).
• All accepted works must remain hanging for the duration of the exhibit.
Entry
• Artist may submit one entry for $35 (APS Members) or $40 (non-APS Members). • Additional entries may be submitted for $10 each (for APS Members) and $15 each (for non-APS Members) up to a total of 3 entries per artist. Only 1 entry per artist may be accepted. Entry fee is non-refundable.
• To enter, log in and click Enter This Show. Images must be jpg, under 4 mb, and in sRGB colorspace. For best results, images 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.
Accepted paintings must be shown during the entire show. All accepted paintings must be available for exhibition. Failure to do so will result in a two-year ban from APS shows,
If you would like to join the Arkansas Pastel Society, our membership form can be found at http://www.arkansaspastelsociety.org and membership forms sent to:
Ann Bleed, Membership Chairperson
18 Cove Creek Pt. Little Rock, AR 72211
Checks payable to Arkansas Pastel Society.
Delivery and return of accepted entries
• Shipped entries must be received between Nov. 1, 2025 and Nov. 11, 2025. Other entries must be dropped off on Nov. 14, 2025
• Shipping instructions, including handling fees and return shipping information, will be sent upon notification of acceptance.
• Pick up hand-delivered entries Dec. 12. 2025.
• Shipped entries will be packaged and returned no later than Dec. 13, 2025
Limitations of liability
Artwork will be handled with all possible care. However, neither the Arkansas Pastel Society, The North Little Rock Public Library, nor any member of APS will be held responsible for any loss or damage. APS recommends that plexiglass be used, especially for works that will be shipped. Glass is used at artist’s risk. Artists will be responsible for repairs to artwork damaged in shipping (Ex.: broken glass, scratched plexiglass, excessive pastel dust or dirty mat). When the painting is received, the artist will be contacted with the price of repairs. If the artist does not wish to repair the painting, it may be withdrawn from the show. Entry fee will not be returned. Entering this exhibition shall constitute understanding and agreement on the part of the artist with the conditions stated. APS suggests that artists carry separate insurance. Permission to reproduce artist’s work for publicity purposes is assumed with acceptance. Our website is www.arkansaspastelsociety.com. The prospectus may be downloaded from the APS website. For questions, contact Cornelia Beck at cckellybeck@gmail.com