Victory Park
1201 N. Pershing Ave.
Stockton, CA  95203
(209) 940-6300   
info@hagginmuseum.org

Mercedes by Diana De Santis, Pastels USA 2008 Best of Show

The Pastel Society of the West Coast (PSWC) is one of the oldest and largest pastel societies in the U.S., with a high reputation among such groups. Its Annual International Open Exhibition attracts several hundred entries from all over the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia. It is entered by some of the most elite pastel painters in the country and, since only about 100 paintings are placed in the show, being accepted is considered a worthy accomplishment.

This year nearly 500 paintings were submitted by artists from across the United States, Europe and Canada. Those entries were juried by Pastel Laureate Marbo Barnard, watercolor specialist Dan Petersen and Sacramento native Steve Memering. This Jury of Selection accepted 99 paintings for display in the exhibition. A listing of all the works accepted and their pricing information is available here. Click here for more information about the Jurors of Selection.

Cottonwoods by Ann McMillan, 2008 Wakeham/Sutherland Award

Following their arrival at the museum, Juror of Awards Margot Schulzke selected 32 paintings for special recognition. The total value of all the awards is more than $10,000. Schulzke is a founder of the PSWC and was awarded Pastel Laureate status in 2006. Click here for more information about Juror of Awards Margot Schulzke.

The awards will be presented at the Awards Reception on May 31, 2-4 p.m.

ABOUT THE PASTEL SOCIETY OF THE WEST COAST
The Pastel Society of the West Coast was founded in 1985 by a handful of dedicated artists from Northern California who had a vision to promote the historic pastel medium.

Artists who work in pastel had long felt that the medium was misunderstood, neglected by art shows and organizations and unjustly relegated to a second-class status. That was the driving force behind forming a pastel-only society.

There were organizations dedicated to watercolor, oil and other media, but very few pastel-only societies at the time.

In the last few years, many other pastel societies have been founded across the country, but with a membership of approximately 400, the PSWC is still the second largest in the nation, after the Pastel Society of America, located in New York City.

A general meeting is held three or four times a year for the membership and the public, where a prominent artist demonstrates pastel technique.

For more information, visit the PSWC web site at www.pswc.ws.

WHAT IS PASTEL?
The very word “pastel” often gives an impression of something weak or insipid, so the Pastel Society of the West Coast is trying to educate the public about the medium’s true nature.

All paint begins in powder pigment form from the chemists and manufacturers. The binder is what determines the type of paint it becomes. If oil, such as linseed, is added, then it becomes oil paint. If acrylic resin is added, then it becomes acrylic and so forth. In the case of pastel, just enough binder is added to the pigment to hold it together when compressed into a stick. It could be argued that it is the purest form of pigment because it has no oils to yellow or crack over time.

Many associate pastel with chalk, but chalk is a cheap, impermanent substance largely made with limestone and dyes. Pastel, when applied to an acid-free paper, is as lasting and as permanent as oil or any other medium.

Lady Hawk by Tina Moore, 2008 Thelma Davis Memorial Award

PASTEL DRAWING DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, June 14, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Pastel artists Tina Moore, Beverly Fields and Maria Molina will demonstrate the art of pastel drawing on Saturday, June 14, 1:30-4 p.m.

Maria Molina has two entries on display and for sale in the Pastels USA exhibition. Tina Moore is the President of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, and one of her entries in this year's exhibition, Lady Hawk, won the Thelma Davis Memorial Award.

This demonstration is included with regular museum admission and no reservations are required. For more information, contact Curator of Education Lisa Cooperman at (209) 940-6315 or education@hagginmuseum.org.

MUSEUM INFORMATION
The Haggin Museum is located in Stockton's Victory Park, 1201 N. Pershing Ave., and is open Wednesday-Sunday, 1:30-5:00 p.m. and 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1:30-9:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults 18 and up; $2.50 for youth ages 10-17, students with a valid I.D., and seniors 65 and over; and free for museum members and children under 10 accompanied by an adult.

Free docent-led tours may be booked in advance by contacting Curator of Educator Lisa Cooperman at (209) 940-6332 or education@hagginmuseum.org. For disabled access, call ahead at (209) 940-6311 or 940-6317.