Northwest Pastel Society
40th Open International Exhibition
March 3 – 30, 2026
Cole Gallery
107 5th Ave S, Edmonds, WA 98020
Co-Jurors: Loriann Signori and Denise Cole
Awards Judge: Loriann Signori
$6250 in Cash and Merchandise Awards
Entries accepted:
Nov 1, 2025 – January 5, 2026
OnlineJuriedShows.com
Eligibility:
This is a live exhibition gallery show OPEN to Northwest Pastel Society (NPS) members and non-members. The following eligibility rules aim to foster positive relationships with our galleries, thereby ensuring that we can continue to host in-person exhibitions. Please read and follow all the eligibility rules outlined in this prospectus.
All artwork is to be executed in dry pastel (hard to soft pure pigment pastels, not oil pastels). Mixed media is permitted when the artwork’s final top surface is at least 80% traditional dry pastel.
Any photo reference used must have been taken by the artist themselves. If there is a question regarding the photo used, the artist will be required to submit the original, unmodified image.
All artwork must be original in concept and completed within the past two years—no collaborative, classroom, or instructor-assisted work is permitted. AI assistance is not allowed unless the source is the artist’s own photo or artwork.
Work exhibited in previous NPS shows is not eligible, nor are works that have won a top award (Best of Show, first, second, or third place) in any other international, national, or regional art show or exhibition.
Accepted paintings must be identical to the digital entry.
All entries must be for sale and realistically priced. Sale price must be aligned with the artist's online sales and/or website.
Maximum frame size (outside dimensions) is 35x35” or 1225 square inches.
Minimum frame size is 12x12” or 144 square inches—no minimum artwork size.
No late entries will be accepted.
All accepted artwork must be framed, surface protected by glass or high-quality clear (not matte or non-glare) acrylic - such as Tru Vue Optium Museum Acrylic, professional in appearance and ready to hang with strong wire and flat metal hangers. An acid-free mat, when used, must be proximal to the pastel painting’s surface and clear of any pastel dust. Float mount of the pastel painting on acid-free mat board is permitted. NPS or Cole Gallery may refuse to hang accepted work that does not meet professional framing standards.
Accepted artwork may not be exhibited concurrently in other shows or competitions, including virtual events. Cole Gallery will be entitled to a 50% commission on sales between show entry and up to 2 weeks after show closing.
If an entrant does not meet the eligibility requirements, their artwork will be disqualified.
Submission of Entries:
Enter online on OnlineJuriedShows. Log in and click Enter This Show above to begin your submissions.
For help with your submissions, contact onlinejuriedshows@gmail.com or 888-666-1351.
Artists may submit up to 3 paintings. At most, two artworks will be accepted.
Submitted images must NOT include mat or frame. Crop the photos to include only the artwork. Be sure that your images are right-side up. List image size to the nearest inch. For best results, make sure your image is at least 1920 pixels on the longest side @72 dpi. Images should be in JPEG format, under 4 mb, and sRGB color space.
The entry form must be filled out in its entirety and must include both the unframed and framed dimensions of your artwork (round up to the nearest inch).
No changes to entries will be allowed after the entry deadline. Please make sure that your artist information on OnlineJuriedShows.com is complete and up to date. The show Co-chairs and gallery owners use OJS contact information to communicate sales information, send out awards, and address questions when they arise.
Entry into this exhibition constitutes agreement with all conditions outlined in this prospectus and Entry Form and is your commitment to participate. Your entry form is a legal and binding contract. If an entrant chooses not to deliver the accepted artwork, they will be barred from entering an NPS show for a period of two years.
Fee:
Entry fee is $45 for 2026 NPS Members and $55 for Non-members for up to 3 images.
The entry fee is non-refundable and must be paid by the entry deadline.
Delivery of Accepted Artwork:
Personally deliver the accepted framed artwork directly to Cole Gallery on March 1, 2025, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. DO NOT SHIP ARTWORK to Cole Gallery.
If you cannot deliver your accepted artwork as noted above, there will be alternative shipping instructions in the Acceptance Letter.
NPS and NPS volunteers accept NO liability in delivering another member’s artwork.
The return shipment of unsold artworks is at the member artist's expense. Please include a return shipment label with delivery.
All accepted artwork must have a completed NPS label (provided with the acceptance letter) attached to the back of the painting – either taped to the upper left corner or affixed to the hanging wire. A “Certificate of Authenticity” is NOT sufficient.
Disclaimer:
All reasonable care will be taken with submissions. NPS, NPS officers, NPS volunteers, Cole Gallery, and OnlineJuriedShows shall not be held responsible for the loss and/or damage to paintings, shipping, or digital entries.
NPS suggests that participants carry separate insurance as provided under individual contracts with shippers and receiving agents.
Promotion:
Participating artists are asked to promote this exhibition personally. A digital postcard will be made available.
Participating artists grant permission to NPS, Cole Gallery, and show sponsors to reproduce work for publicity and promotional purposes, both in print and digital galleries. Copyright will be attributed to the artist.
Sales:
A 50% commission will be collected by Cole Gallery on all sales of accepted artwork from the start of the show until up to 2 weeks after the show closes.
Important Dates:
Entries accepted Nov 1, 2025 - Jan 5, 2025
Entry deadline: Midnight PDT on January 5, 2025
Acceptance notices available on www.OnlineJuriedShows.com on or before: Jan 18, 2026
Delivery window at Cole Gallery: Sunday, Mar 1, 10 am – 3 pm
Show Opens: Tuesday, Mar 3 at 10 am
Artist Awards Reception: Saturday, Mar 7 at 5 pm
Edmonds Art Walk: Thursday, Mar 19, 5 – 8 pm
Show Ends: Monday, Mar 30 at 5 pm
Pick-up unsold paintings: Tuesday, Mar 31, 10 am – 5 pm
Awards:
This show will be co-juried by Denise Cole and Loriann Signori, and judged by Loriann Signori.
Award Categories:
BEST OF SHOW ($2000)
FIRST PLACE ($1500)
SECOND PLACE ($1000)
THIRD PLACE ($500)
Pastel Society of America JUROR’S AWARD ($250)
Barbara Benedetti JUROR’S AWARD ($200)
5 Honorable Mention Awards
Workshop Opportunity:
Loriann Signori and NPS are offering a 4-day pastel workshop, “A New Kind of Seeing: Journey Through and Beyond Realism,” Mar 3 – 6, 2026. The workshop will be located at Art Works, 200 Dayton Street in Edmonds, WA, and is limited to 18 participants. See www.nwps.org/workshops for more details.
Show Chair-Persons:
Chair: Michael Medina, michaelsmedina01@gmail.com; cell: 206-799-2373
Co-Chair: Jan Graves, jcgraves@comcast.net: cell; 425-773-1712