2026 Members Show

Location

Juror of Selection

Judge of Awards

Awards

Eligibility

• This is a live exhibition gallery show open to current 2026 Northwest Pastel Society (NPS) members. The following eligibility rules aim to foster positive relations with our galleries thus ensuring that we can continue to have in-person exhibitions. Please read and follow all eligibility rules laid out in this prospectus.
• Work exhibited in previous NPS shows is not eligible, nor are works that have won a top award (Best of Show, first, second, or third place) in any other international, national, or regional art show or exhibition.
• Accepted artwork may not be exhibited concurrently in other shows or competitions, including virtual events.
• All entries must be for sale and realistically priced. Sale price must be aligned with artist online sales and/or website.
• If an entrant does not follow the eligibility terms, the artwork will be disqualified.

Medium Requirements

• All artwork is to be executed in dry pastel (hard to soft pure pigment pastels, not oil pastels). Mixed media permitted when the artworks' final top surface is at least 80% traditional dry pastel.
• All artwork must be original in concept and completed within the past 3 years. No collaborative, classroom, paid-mentor critiqued, or instructor-assisted work. AI assistance is not permitted unless the source is the artist's own photo or artwork.
• Accepted painting must be identical to the digital entry.

Artwork Specifications

• All accepted artwork must be framed, surface protected by clear glass or high-quality clear acrylic (do not use matte or non-glare glass or acrylic). Larger works should use an anti-reflective glass or acrylic surface such as Tru Vue AR Glass, Museum Glass, or Optium Museum Acrylic.
• All accepted artwork must be professional in appearance and ready to hang with strong wire and flat metal hangers. NPS or Matzke Gallery may refuse to hang accepted work that does not meet professional framing standards.
• Maximum frame size (area to outer framed edge) is 1,300 square inches for SIGNATURE or DP members, and 210 square inches for REGULAR members. These limits are intended to help gallery layout and sales, while the gallery honors our member benefit of guaranteeing at least one painting is accepted from each artist.
• Mats: when mats are used in framing, Matzke Gallery prefers warm white or off-white; no colored mats; and please do not allot equal width to mat and frame (i.e. 1" mat with 1" frame is discouraged). Mats must be proximal to the pastel painting's surface and clear of any pastel dust. Float mount of the pastel painting on acid-free mat board is permitted.
• No minimum frame size. No minimum artwork size.

Submission of Entries

• Enter online at ShowSubmit.
• Members may submit up to 3 paintings with one painting guaranteed to be included, provided that it meets the eligibility criteria. Please note the different size limits imposed on Signature/DP vs. Regular Members.
• Submitted images must NOT include mat or frame. Crop the photos to include only the artwork. Be sure that your images are right side up. List image size to the nearest inch. For best results, make sure your image is at least 1920 pixels @72 dpi on the longest side. Images should be in JPG format, under 4 mb, and sRGB color space.
• Framed dimensions are now required by our galleries upon entry for planning purposes. Please enter frame dimensions estimated to the nearest inch.
• Entry forms must be filled out in their entirety. No changes to entries will be allowed after entry deadline. Please make sure that your artist information in ShowSubmit.com is complete and up to date. ShowSubmit contact information is used by show Chairs and gallery owners when questions arise, to communicate sales information, and to send out awards.
• Entry into this exhibition constitutes agreement with all conditions set forth in this prospectus and Entry Form and is your commitment to participate. Your entry form is a legal and binding contract. If an entrant chooses not to deliver accepted artwork, they will not be allowed to enter an NPS show for a period of two years.
• No late entries will be accepted.

Entry Fees

• $40 for up to 3 images.
• Entry fee is nonrefundable and must be paid by the entry deadline.

Delivery of Accepted Artwork

• Deliver accepted framed artwork directly to Matzke Gallery on May 24, 2026, between 11 am and 3 pm.
• Alternatively, NPS will announce regional drop-off locations to pool deliveries. This option is not available in all areas. NPS or NPS volunteers accept NO liability in delivering another member's artwork.
• Artists may choose to ship their artwork directly to Matzke Gallery at their own expense and liability. Return shipment of unsold artworks is at the expense of the member artist. Please include a return shipping label with delivery.
• All accepted artwork must have a completed NPS label (provided with the acceptance letter) attached to the painting's back and taped to the upper left corner or affixed to the hanging wire. A "Certificate of Authenticity" is NOT sufficient.

Liability and Agreement

• All reasonable care will be taken with submissions.
• NPS, NPS officers, NPS volunteers, Matzke Gallery, and ShowSubmit shall not be held responsible for the loss and/or damage to paintings, shipping, or digital entries.
• NPS suggests that participants carry separate insurance as provided under individual contracts with shippers and receiving agents.
• Submission constitutes agreement with all rules and conditions.

Promotion

• Participating artists are asked to personally promote this exhibition. A digital postcard will be made available.
• Participating artists grant permission to NPS, Matzke Gallery and show sponsors to reproduce work for publicity and promotional purposes, both in print and digital galleries. Copyright will be attributed to the artist.

Sales

• A 50% commission will be collected by Matzke Gallery on all sales of accepted artwork between show entry and up to two weeks after show closing.

Awards

• This show will be juried by Karla Matzke who will select works for the exhibition.
• This show will be judged by Teresa Saia who will determine award recipients.
• Awards will be presented at the Opening Reception on June 6, 2026.

• Best of Show ($1,000)
• President's Award ($750)
• Director's Award ($500)
• Best Small Work (Outer frame edge less than 210 square inches) ($250)
• NPS Memorial—Jayne Quig Award ($250)
• 5 Honorable Mention Awards

Show Chair

Additional Notification Information

Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on April 15, 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.
• 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 (March 30, 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 Michelyn Gjurasic ([email protected]) for questions about the Prospectus, NPS, eligibility, artwork requirements, drop-off, pick-up, 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.