The Exhibition
Winter is not simply white.
It is the blue of twilight falling across a frozen field. The silver shimmer of ice beneath a pale morning sun. The deep green of an evergreen holding fast through the cold. The violet of distant mountains, the charcoal of bare branches, and the warm amber of a window glowing against the darkness. For those nearer the equator, winter is more about dry season than cold, giving winter color a different definition.
The Colors of Winter invites pastel artists from around the world to explore winter beyond the expected—to look closely at its atmosphere, light, contrasts, and emotional landscape.
Juror of Selection
Andrew McDermott IAPS/EP • IAPS/MC • SFCA • PSWC
Andrew McDermott is a past President and Senior Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Born in Bolton, England, he moved to Canada at a young age. After graduating from college in Graphic Design and Illustration, Andrew continued to study and refine his distinctive artistic style, earning top awards in both Canada and the United States.
Among his many honors, Andrew considers the Eminent Pastelist Medallion from the International Association of Pastel Societies one of his most meaningful achievements. The medallion will be presented in New Mexico in 2026.
Andrew's work and expertise have been widely published, including his selection for The Artist magazine's “25 Under 40.” He has also been featured in International Artist, The Artist UK, Pastel World, Magazin'art, and The Pastel Journal.
A popular workshop instructor, Andrew teaches demonstrations and lessons at educational facilities and art organizations. He is a life and figure drawing instructor for the Illustration Department at Capilano University, as well as for the Animation Departments at the Vancouver Film School and Think Tank.
Andrew McDermott is a past President and Senior Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. Born in Bolton, England, he moved to Canada at a young age. After graduating from college in Graphic Design and Illustration, Andrew continued to study and refine his distinctive artistic style, earning top awards in both Canada and the United States.
Among his many honors, Andrew considers the Eminent Pastelist Medallion from the International Association of Pastel Societies one of his most meaningful achievements. The medallion will be presented in New Mexico in 2026.
Andrew's work and expertise have been widely published, including his selection for The Artist magazine's “25 Under 40.” He has also been featured in International Artist, The Artist UK, Pastel World, Magazin'art, and The Pastel Journal.
A popular workshop instructor, Andrew teaches demonstrations and lessons at educational facilities and art organizations. He is a life and figure drawing instructor for the Illustration Department at Capilano University, as well as for the Animation Departments at the Vancouver Film School and Think Tank.
Judge of Awards
Clint Howard IAPS/MC • PSA
Clint Howard is an Arkansas-based artist who began painting with pastels in early 2023. He is an International Association of Pastel Societies Master Circle artist, a juried Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, and a juried Signature Artist in the American Tonalist Society.
Clint has a varied background, including a degree in biology, nearly eight years of service as a pastor, and more than fifteen years in the web and graphic design industry. His love of art, especially drawing, began in childhood and has remained a constant throughout his life.
His artistic focus is to evoke calm, nostalgia, and connection to nature. He is particularly drawn to traditional and contemporary Tonalism and Impressionism, while also enjoying other landscape painting styles.
Clint's work is represented by Cassen's Fine Art Gallery in Hamilton, Montana, and Ballard's Fine Art Gallery in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Clint Howard is an Arkansas-based artist who began painting with pastels in early 2023. He is an International Association of Pastel Societies Master Circle artist, a juried Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, and a juried Signature Artist in the American Tonalist Society.
Clint has a varied background, including a degree in biology, nearly eight years of service as a pastor, and more than fifteen years in the web and graphic design industry. His love of art, especially drawing, began in childhood and has remained a constant throughout his life.
His artistic focus is to evoke calm, nostalgia, and connection to nature. He is particularly drawn to traditional and contemporary Tonalism and Impressionism, while also enjoying other landscape painting styles.
Clint's work is represented by Cassen's Fine Art Gallery in Hamilton, Montana, and Ballard's Fine Art Gallery in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Call for Entries
The Pastel Society Alaska invites artists internationally to submit original pastel paintings for consideration in The Colors of Winter.
Representational, impressionistic, contemporary, abstract, and expressive approaches are welcome. There is no prescribed winter palette and no single definition of winter.
We are looking for paintings that make us feel the season as much as see it.
Eligibility & Entry Requirements
- This online exhibition is open to any artist anywhere in the world.
- All entries must be submitted through the ShowSubmit.com web portal. Artists do not need to resize their images; ShowSubmit.com will handle image resizing.
- The competition is for pastel paintings. At least 80% of the exposed surface must be dry pastel. Oil pastels are not eligible.
- There is no artwork size limitation.
- Artwork must be original. Copies of other artists' work or published work are not eligible. If a work has been significantly and unduly influenced by another artist's work, the juror may request proof of the reference used, or determine it ineligible.
- Artwork created on top of a photograph is not eligible. Altered photographs with pastel added are also not eligible.
- If a photographic reference is used and to confirm copyright, the photograph must have been taken by the artist. If the reference image is questioned, the artist may be asked to provide the original reference photograph to the jurors.
- Work completed in a workshop or under the guidance of an instructor is not eligible.
- All subjects and styles are eligible except nudes. PSAK reserves the right to refuse entries containing objectionable depictions or work that does not comply with these requirements.
- Works previously exhibited in PSAK shows that did not win awards are eligible.
- Artwork may be offered for sale or listed as NFS (Not For Sale). If a viewer is interested in a piece, they will be referred to the artist.
- PSAK reserves the right to refuse any painting that does not meet these standards.
Entry Fees
PSAK Members
- 1–3 paintings: $35 total.
- Each additional painting: $10 Maximum: 6 paintings
Non-Members
- 1–3 paintings: $50 total
- Each additional painting: $15 Maximum: 6 paintings
Artists may enter up to six (6) paintings.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
Awards
- Best of Show – $500
- First Place– $400
- Second Place – $300
- Third Place – $200
- Blaines Art Award of Excellence – $500 Gift Card to Blaines Art
- Terry Ludwig Pastels Award of Excellence – $180 Gift Certificate to Terry Ludwig
- Arizona Pastel Artists Association Award – $100
- J. Luda Pastels Award of Excellence
- Honorable Mentions (2) – $75 gift card from Dakota Pastels
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.
- Image Size: You do not need to resize your image files before uploading. The system will automatically resize them. Smaller images cannot be enlarged to meet the requirements, so ensure your images are high resolution before uploading.
- 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 (January 15, 2027.)
- 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.
Notifications Are Posted in Your Account
Results will be posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on January 28, 2027. You will also receive an email.
Log in and check your account. We are unable to answer individual inquiries about results.
Support
Questions about this exhibition?
Contact ([email protected]) for questions about the prospectus, PSAK, eligibility, artwork requirements, sales, etc.
Need help with ShowSubmit?
Visit our Help Center or Entry Guide for guidance on image uploads, payments, and managing your entry. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We respond Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm Eastern.