Excited to be selected as of the Nationally recognized artists at the Fine Arts League of Cary Invitational Exhibit: Master Artists at the Mayton exhibit 2-day event. Ticketed fundraiser on 2/27/25 followed by Meet the Artists during Final Friday in Cary, NC 2/28/25 from 5:30-7:30PM. Exhibit runs through June 23rd.
SPS Member News
Artistic Accomplishments by our Members
Master Artists at the Mayton
Statewide Juried Acceptance
Diana Coidan is excited and honored to announce two paintings, Mom’s Pitcher of Color and Mom’s Holiday Cookout were accepted into the 2024 North Carolina Statewide Pastel Exhibition by judge and juror Doug Dawson. Exhibit location is at the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough, NC from June 7-30th, 2024. Reception and award ceremony 6/7
First Place Award
“Mom’s Stew” won First Place in the 5th National Central Massachusetts Pastel Society, “Marks of Distinction National Show” in Harvard, Mass. 70 individual works chosen by two jurors from 236 pastel paintings submitted from 18 states and Canada. Thank you to jurors of selection and a special thanks to Judge of Awards, Mim Brooks Fawcett, for this honor. exhibit ends 9/30 Painting SOLD
Individual Artists Grant Award - Orit
Orit Reuben is the recipient of the United Arts of Central Florida Individual Artist Grant 2023. The grant is for the purchase of frames and for the promotion of the pastel medium. Orit will be holding three group/solo pastel exhibitions, including painting demonstrations, to promote pastel artists.
Diana Coidan Award
Diana is excited to announce her acceptance into the North Carolina Statewide Pastel Exhibition: On Common Ground From the Mountains to the Sea and is honored to receive an Exceptional Merit Award for her pastel, “Mom’s Stew”. The exhibition is through July 3rd at The Art Shop in Greensboro, NC. Diana sends her thanks to Juror/Judge Tony Allain for the recognition!
Member Publications
Anne Spivey Received an Honorable Mention in Pastel 100!
Anne Spivey’s painting, ‘Mystical Place’ was awarded an honorable mention and published in the Pastel Journal’s 24th Annual Pastel 100. Juror, Jeanne Rosier Smith, selected her painting as one of 25 winners in the “Landscape and Interiors’ category. Smith looked for ‘subject matter that’s treated with originality, conveys a clear mood or point of view with excellent technique.”
SPS Master Pastelist and Founder of SPS Connie Lynn Reilly Published in Plein Air Magazine
Connie Lynn Reilly, President and Founder of SPS, has been featured in Plein Air Magazine in the category: “Best of Figure and Portrait”. Painting featured: “Melody” 24 x 30
Marsha Hamby Savage featured in PleinAir Magazine's September 2021 Pastel Special Issue
It was very exciting to receive the September PleinAir Magazine with a special focus on pastels featuring “Pros’ views on using the medium en plein air!” In addition to the feature articles written by today’s pastel masters; the magazine did a showcase of pastel artists whose works “exemplifies the range and craftsmanship possible with this versatile medium.” Marsha Hamby Savage’s painting, “Rising to the Sun” 20×16 is included in the PASTEL SPOTLIGHT section of the magazine.
Nancy Nowak featured in Plein Air Magazine!
Plein Air Magazine has newly featured Nancy Nowak’s published article with their Plein Air audience through their website, Outdoor Painter. Check out the article via this Website Link for More Information!
