Awards
$40,000 in cash and material awards.
Eligibility
- Open to all PSA members who have a current membership.
Apply for membership by April 13, 2026, to be eligible to submit paintings to the exhibition.
pastelsocietyofamerica.org/membership - We request that the PSA Annual be the first major exhibition for each artwork. Please do not submit paintings that have been accepted into any previous major pastel-only exhibition, sponsored exhibition, or published competition before the PSA opening on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
- Accepted artwork cannot be shown in virtual exhibitions at the same time.
- Artwork must be created with traditional soft pastels—no oil pastels.
- The final surface of the artwork must be at least 80% traditional soft pastel.
- Your work must be original and based on your own references, not copied from other artists or published materials.
- Any reference provided by an instructor is not eligible, including instructor-provided photos, still-life arrangements, or model setups.
- Work done in a classroom, workshop, or online group setting is not eligible.
- All artwork must be original and not created over any photographic or AI-generated image.
- There are no size restrictions for this exhibition.
- All subjects and styles, from traditional realism to modern abstraction, are welcome.
- Artwork sent to the show must match the submitted JPG image.
- Artwork must have been made within the past four years.
- Artwork must be for sale; no NFS or por.
- Failure to ship the artwork submitted and accepted into this show will result in the artist being banned from entering future PSA annual exhibitions for two years.
Please meet all eligibility requirements to avoid disqualification. PSA reserves the right to exclude any artwork it finds offensive or that violates US laws from the exhibition.
Foreign Entries
PSA requests that all artists submit their applications individually. Entries sent through an international or domestic art broker or by a third party will be disqualified and not processed.
Cash awards are only issued through PayPal. All payments will be sent directly to the artist's personal PayPal account; awards cannot be made to third-party accounts.
Material awards cannot be shipped internationally.
Cash awards are only issued through PayPal. All payments will be sent directly to the artist's personal PayPal account; awards cannot be made to third-party accounts.
Material awards cannot be shipped internationally.
Entry Fees
- PSA members: flat fee of $55 for 1, 2, or 3 entries.
- Entry fee is non-refundable.
You must pay your 2026 annual dues in full to enter as a PSA member. ShowSubmit does not process member dues at the time of entry. You need to complete the dues payment through the PSA website at pastelsocietyofamerica.org
Online Entry
Entry is available exclusively online. Follow the directions for entry. Payment can be made with a valid credit or debit card. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Notification
Participants may submit up to three entries. Once the judging is complete, all artists will get an email notification. Be sure to add [email protected] to your safe sender list so you don’t miss any emails.
Accepted Work
Artists of accepted work will receive an exhibition label via email. The title must be fully filled out and attached to the back of the painting in the upper right corner. Submitted images must match the accepted JPEG exactly. No substitutions are allowed.
Shipping Agent
Safe Art Transport, Inc. (SAT)
19-40 Hazen Street
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Phone: 718.392.8910
PSA is not responsible for any damage to the artwork during shipping, delivery, or return.
Liability
Neither the Pastel Society of America, Inc. nor The National Arts Club, their officers, or employees will be responsible for loss or damage to pastels, however caused.
Your submission to this exhibition also grants reproduction rights for the event and PSA promotional purposes.
Submitting your entry signifies agreement that the exhibition chair has the final say on all aspects of the exhibition, including eligibility.
Submitting your entry confirms your agreement to all conditions outlined in this prospectus, including those related to the artwork you submit.
Your submission to this exhibition also grants reproduction rights for the event and PSA promotional purposes.
Submitting your entry signifies agreement that the exhibition chair has the final say on all aspects of the exhibition, including eligibility.
Submitting your entry confirms your agreement to all conditions outlined in this prospectus, including those related to the artwork you submit.
Jurors and Judge
A panel of three jurors will select the entries to be accepted for the exhibition, and a distinguished award judge will choose the winners.
Judge of Awards
Robert Yahner
Curator/Registrar of The National Arts Club
Robert Yahner, Curator and Director of Collections and Archives at the National Arts Club, oversees a permanent collection of over 700 artworks, many of which were donated directly by artists in the early 20th century. These pieces, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and works on paper, reflect the rich history of the NAC's community and highlight American Impressionism, Tonalism, and contemporary American art.
Under his curatorial supervision, at least 20 exhibitions are mounted yearly in the Club's galleries. These have included Picasso: The Vollard Suite, Edvard Munch: The Printmaker, Goya's Los Caprichos, Selections from the Steve Martin Collection, The Bank of America - Warhol Portfolios, and Lois Dodd: The Medal of Honor Exhibition.
Curator/Registrar of The National Arts Club
Robert Yahner, Curator and Director of Collections and Archives at the National Arts Club, oversees a permanent collection of over 700 artworks, many of which were donated directly by artists in the early 20th century. These pieces, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, and works on paper, reflect the rich history of the NAC's community and highlight American Impressionism, Tonalism, and contemporary American art.
Under his curatorial supervision, at least 20 exhibitions are mounted yearly in the Club's galleries. These have included Picasso: The Vollard Suite, Edvard Munch: The Printmaker, Goya's Los Caprichos, Selections from the Steve Martin Collection, The Bank of America - Warhol Portfolios, and Lois Dodd: The Medal of Honor Exhibition.
Jurors of Selection
Marla Baggetta PSA
PaintinglessonswithMarla.com
Oregon artist Marla Baggetta has been a professional artist for over 40 years, starting her career as an illustrator before establishing herself as a fine artist and a sought-after workshop instructor. She is a Signature Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America and an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies. Her award-winning work has appeared in numerous publications, including Pastel Journal, PleinAir Magazine, The Artist’s Magazine, The Best of Pastel, Sketchbook Confidential ii, and AcrylicWorks 2. She is a regular columnist for The Artist’s Magazine, where she offers Creativity Challenges designed to inspire artists working in every medium, reflecting her strong belief in art’s power to transform lives. Marla is the founder and creator of the online teaching platform Painting Lessons with Marla. To see more of her work and learn more about her, visit PaintinglessonswithMarla.com.
Oregon artist Marla Baggetta has been a professional artist for over 40 years, starting her career as an illustrator before establishing herself as a fine artist and a sought-after workshop instructor. She is a Signature Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America and an Eminent Pastelist with the International Association of Pastel Societies. Her award-winning work has appeared in numerous publications, including Pastel Journal, PleinAir Magazine, The Artist’s Magazine, The Best of Pastel, Sketchbook Confidential ii, and AcrylicWorks 2. She is a regular columnist for The Artist’s Magazine, where she offers Creativity Challenges designed to inspire artists working in every medium, reflecting her strong belief in art’s power to transform lives. Marla is the founder and creator of the online teaching platform Painting Lessons with Marla. To see more of her work and learn more about her, visit PaintinglessonswithMarla.com.
Diane Rosen PSA-MP
Lead Juror and Curator
rosenart.net
instagram.com/dianerosenstudio
New York-based artist Diane Rosen studied in Paris at l’École des Beaux-Arts on a French Government painting fellowship, and in New York at the Art Students League. Known for her dynamic figurative work, Rosen’s multiple award-winning paintings have been widely exhibited, including at the historic National Arts Club in NYC, The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, and The Salmagundi Club in NYC. For her distinguished achievement in the pastel medium, she holds the title of Master Pastelist from the Pastel Society of America. She has written published articles on creativity theory and practice, and her paintings have appeared in numerous national and international publications such as Pastel Journal, American Artist Magazine, Pure Color: The Best of Pastel, The Best of Pastel 2, Manhattan Arts, and the Deutsche Pastell Gesellschaft 2025 Spring Newsletter. Rosen's work is part of collections in the US, France, England, and Germany.
rosenart.net
instagram.com/dianerosenstudio
New York-based artist Diane Rosen studied in Paris at l’École des Beaux-Arts on a French Government painting fellowship, and in New York at the Art Students League. Known for her dynamic figurative work, Rosen’s multiple award-winning paintings have been widely exhibited, including at the historic National Arts Club in NYC, The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, and The Salmagundi Club in NYC. For her distinguished achievement in the pastel medium, she holds the title of Master Pastelist from the Pastel Society of America. She has written published articles on creativity theory and practice, and her paintings have appeared in numerous national and international publications such as Pastel Journal, American Artist Magazine, Pure Color: The Best of Pastel, The Best of Pastel 2, Manhattan Arts, and the Deutsche Pastell Gesellschaft 2025 Spring Newsletter. Rosen's work is part of collections in the US, France, England, and Germany.
Peter Seltzer PSA-MP & HFH
instagram.com/peterseltzer
Peter Seltzer is the 2022 Hall of Fame Honoree of the Pastel Society of America. He has exhibited with the society since 1987, became a Signature member in 1990, and a Master Pastelist in 2001. In 2007, he was featured in a solo pastel exhibition at the Flora B. Giffuni Gallery for American Pastels at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.
Seltzer has attained Master Circle status with the International Association of Pastel Societies and holds a “by invitation only” membership with Allied Artists of America. With over 100 awards, he has received top honors at the Pastel Society of America’s annual exhibition, along with four Gold and five Silver Medals in national and international shows, as well as a Bronze Medal for his artwork.
His work is part of the permanent collections at the Butler Institute of American Art, the New Britain Museum of American Art, Harvard University, and the historic 100-year collection of the New Haven Paint & Clay Club.
Peter Seltzer is the 2022 Hall of Fame Honoree of the Pastel Society of America. He has exhibited with the society since 1987, became a Signature member in 1990, and a Master Pastelist in 2001. In 2007, he was featured in a solo pastel exhibition at the Flora B. Giffuni Gallery for American Pastels at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.
Seltzer has attained Master Circle status with the International Association of Pastel Societies and holds a “by invitation only” membership with Allied Artists of America. With over 100 awards, he has received top honors at the Pastel Society of America’s annual exhibition, along with four Gold and five Silver Medals in national and international shows, as well as a Bronze Medal for his artwork.
His work is part of the permanent collections at the Butler Institute of American Art, the New Britain Museum of American Art, Harvard University, and the historic 100-year collection of the New Haven Paint & Clay Club.
Exhibition Co-chairs
Susan M. Story PSA-MP, IAPS MC
Jimmy Wright PSA-MP, HFH and NA
Past PSA Award Jurors
2025 53rd Annual: Carey Mack Weber, Frank and Clara Meditz Executive Director, Fairfield University Art Museum, Fairfield University
2024 52nd Annual: Jeremiah William McCarthy, Chief Curator, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
2023 51st Annual: Diana Thompson, Director of Collections, National Academy of Design
2022 50th Annual: Dr. Louis A Zona, Executive Director & Chief Curator, Butler Institute of American Art
2021 49th Annual: Emily A. Beeny, Curator in Charge of European Paintings at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
2020 48th Annual: Marjorie Shelley, Sherman Fairchild Conservator in Charge, Paper Conservation, Metropolitan Museum of Art
2019 47th Annual: Marcus Burke, Senior Curator of Paintings, Drawings & Metalwork, The Hispanic Museum & Library, The Hispanic Society of America
2018 46th Annual: Calvin Brown, Associate Curator of Prints and Drawings, Princeton University Art Museum
2017 45th Annual: Charlotta Kotik, former Curator of Contemporary Art, the Brooklyn Museum
2016 44th Annual: Mark D Mitchell, Holcombe T. Green Curator of American Paintings & Sculpture, Yale University Art Gallery
2015 43rd Annual: Linda Downs, Executive Director & CEO, College Art Association
2014 42nd Annual: Marjorie Shelley, Sherman Fairchild Conservator in Charge, Paper Conservation, Metropolitan Museum of Art
2013 41st Annual: Lora Urbanelli, Director, Montclair Art Museum (NJ)
2012 40th Annual: Dr Louis A Zona, Executive Director & Chief Curator, Butler Institute of American Art
2024 52nd Annual: Jeremiah William McCarthy, Chief Curator, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
2023 51st Annual: Diana Thompson, Director of Collections, National Academy of Design
2022 50th Annual: Dr. Louis A Zona, Executive Director & Chief Curator, Butler Institute of American Art
2021 49th Annual: Emily A. Beeny, Curator in Charge of European Paintings at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
2020 48th Annual: Marjorie Shelley, Sherman Fairchild Conservator in Charge, Paper Conservation, Metropolitan Museum of Art
2019 47th Annual: Marcus Burke, Senior Curator of Paintings, Drawings & Metalwork, The Hispanic Museum & Library, The Hispanic Society of America
2018 46th Annual: Calvin Brown, Associate Curator of Prints and Drawings, Princeton University Art Museum
2017 45th Annual: Charlotta Kotik, former Curator of Contemporary Art, the Brooklyn Museum
2016 44th Annual: Mark D Mitchell, Holcombe T. Green Curator of American Paintings & Sculpture, Yale University Art Gallery
2015 43rd Annual: Linda Downs, Executive Director & CEO, College Art Association
2014 42nd Annual: Marjorie Shelley, Sherman Fairchild Conservator in Charge, Paper Conservation, Metropolitan Museum of Art
2013 41st Annual: Lora Urbanelli, Director, Montclair Art Museum (NJ)
2012 40th Annual: Dr Louis A Zona, Executive Director & Chief Curator, Butler Institute of American Art
Additional Notification Information
Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on July 6, 2026.
If you do not receive your email, login and view the notification in your account. We cannot respond to inquiries regarding the status of notifications.
Image and Filename Specifications
- File Format: Submit original, high-quality JPEG image files. Other formats (e.g., PNG, TIFF) are not accepted.
- Crop Your Image: Ensure only the artwork itself is visible in the image. Do not show any visible matting, frames, or background distractions.
- Orientation: Make sure your image is oriented correctly (right side up) so that the artwork appears in its intended viewing direction.
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- File Names: You do not need to rename your files before uploading them. The system will handle any file naming requirements.
- File Size: There is a 30mb maximum file size limit. Larger image files will take longer to upload and process.
Additional Entry Information
- You will pay for your entry by credit or debit card using our secure checkout system.
- After your entry is submitted and paid for, you may log back in to review your entry, edit artist and image information, and add or substitute images up until the entry deadline (June 1, 2026.)
- Entry fees are not refundable and must be submitted and paid by the entry deadline.
- Entries cannot be accepted or changed after the deadline. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Support
Questions about this exhibition?
Contact ([email protected]) for questions about the Prospectus, PSA, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, sales, etc.
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