May 22 - June 12, 2010
Organized by The Pastel Painters of Maine (PPOM), this 11th international juried exhibition and sale displayed works of pastel artists from the United States and Canada. Winnowed from an initial 228 entries, with celebrated artist Frank Federico as the juror of selection, the show ultimately featured 59 stunning works by 52 artists representing 13 states and Canada. All the paintings were original soft pastels, no larger than 45” x 45” framed. According to Federico, “Selection was based on uniqueness and imaginative but cohesive design elements.” During the public opening reception and awards ceremony on May 22, juror of awards Bill Creevy presented more than $5,000 in prizes. Creevy is a Pastel Society of America Master Pastelist and author of The Pastel Book.
PPOM was established in 1999 by a group of southern Maine artists interested in soft pastels. The mission of PPOM is to promote the medium of soft pastel, to unite local and regional artists, and to heighten the public’s awareness of the medium. Since its founding, membership has grown to over 170 with members from throughout the United States and Canada.
PPOM extends a “thank you” to its sponsors, who contributed to the success of the 2010 exhibition through their dedication and generosity both to the medium of pastels and to PPOM: Air Float Systems; Armadillo Art & Craft; Blick Art Materials; Canson, Inc.; Colorfin, LLC; Connecticut Pastel Society; Dakota Art Pastels; Diane Townsend Artists’ Pastels; F+W Media; Hunter Editions; Jack Richeson & Co., Inc.; The Pastel Journal; Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod; Pastel Society of America; Pastel Society of New Hampshire; Pastel Society of the West Coast; Royal & Langnickel Brush Mfg., Inc.; Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution; Savoir-Faire; SpectraFix; Terry Ludwig Pastels; Uneeda Enterprizes, Inc.; and Winsor & Newton.