Arizona Pastel Artists Association
Phippen Museum of Western Art, Prescott, Arizona
10th Open International Exhibition
February 28 – April 19, 2026 |Phippen Museum of Western Art, Prescott, Arizona
Deadline is December 19th.
Open to Members and Non-Members.
Deadline is December 19th. Open to Members and Non-Members. To enter, visit:
showsubmit.com/show/apaa-10th-open-international-exhibition
showsubmit.com/show/apaa-10th-open-international-exhibition
Vibrant Harvest by Tatsiana Harbacheuskaya
Open Calls
Opens October 1, 2025.
Open for entry on October 1, 2025.
Deadline for entry: December 19, 2025
Karen's artistic passion began early with paint-by-number kits, evolving into a lifelong creative pursuit. Following a successful 38-year career in education, including roles as classroom teacher, superintendent, and national director, she fully embraced her art after retiring and relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Initially working in pastels under the mentorship of Richard McKinley, Karen established a solid foundation in realistic techniques and earned Signature recognition in various pastel societies and Master Circle in International Association of Pastel Societies. She was Signature Member and President of Arizona Pastel Artists Association from 2009 – 2012.
Her work often centers on everyday objects—like marbles or apples—posed in vibrant, meticulously lit settings, lending them a magical, almost tactile realism. She has noted her fascination with translucency, glass reflections, and the interplay of light and color, drawing inspiration from masters like Monet, Titian, and Sargent.
Karen’s paintings have been featured in juried and invitational exhibitions across the U.S., as well as in solo gallery shows. She is currently represented by Park Gallery (Carmel, CA), ArtQwest Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ), Lovetts Gallery (Tulsa, OK), and ArtQwest Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ).
Karen holds prestigious memberships and titles in leading art organizations:
Margaret Dyer, Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America, Masters Circle in IAPS "At a moment in 1970, when a model dropped her robe and stood naked in front of a class of wide-eyed eighteen year old art students, I found something in life I loved – the challenge to draw the living, breathing, continuously moving landscape of the human body. What started out as a challenge quickly became a passion. Ten years later, when I happened upon Kate Fetterolf's dynamic pastels at a local exhibition, I knew I had discovered my medium.”
I have lived in Atlanta, GA, since my family moved from Long Island, New York, in 1960. I attended the Atlanta College of Art at the High Museum and furthered my studies under painters Roman Chatov, Kate Fetterolf and Jim Richards. I have made my living for over 30 years selling my work and teaching.
Work must be suitably framed in a fine art gallery-quality frame, wired and ready for hanging. No metal frames, gallery wrap canvases or sawtooth hangers. Unsuitable framing will be disqualified. Repair or replacement of frame is the financial responsibility of the artist. APAA and the Phippen are not responsible for damage caused by works framed with glass.
Hand-Delivered or transported paintings must be in a portfolio with a handle and label. The portfolio must completely enclose the painting and be zipped shut.
Deadline for entry: December 19, 2025
Exhibition Details
Arizona Pastel Artists Association is thrilled to return to the Phippen Museum of Western Art in historic Prescott, Arizona for the 10th Open National Exhibition and Sale. The Phippen houses an outstanding permanent collection and is proud of its role of presentation, promotion, and preservation of art of the American West. The charming town of Prescott, once the territorial capital, is rich with history embodied in its world-famous Whiskey Row, oldest rodeo in the country, and historical landmarks.
Awards
The 10th Open International Exhibition will display 80 pastel paintings and will present approximately $10,000 in awards, including a $1,000 Best in Show Award, generous cash awards for First, Second, Third and Fourth Places and twenty-seven additional cash, gift certificates and merchandise prizes. All accepted artists will have their paintings displayed in the APAA show catalog, on the APAA website and in APAA’s social media outlets. There will be an awards reception and pastel demonstration at the Phippen Museum on Saturday, March 14 from 11 – 3 pm.
Judge of Awards
Karen Budan is an acclaimed contemporary still-life painter known for her photorealistic works that captivate with vivid color, luminous reflections, and extraordinary detail.
Karen's artistic passion began early with paint-by-number kits, evolving into a lifelong creative pursuit. Following a successful 38-year career in education, including roles as classroom teacher, superintendent, and national director, she fully embraced her art after retiring and relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona.
Initially working in pastels under the mentorship of Richard McKinley, Karen established a solid foundation in realistic techniques and earned Signature recognition in various pastel societies and Master Circle in International Association of Pastel Societies. She was Signature Member and President of Arizona Pastel Artists Association from 2009 – 2012.
Her work often centers on everyday objects—like marbles or apples—posed in vibrant, meticulously lit settings, lending them a magical, almost tactile realism. She has noted her fascination with translucency, glass reflections, and the interplay of light and color, drawing inspiration from masters like Monet, Titian, and Sargent.
Karen’s paintings have been featured in juried and invitational exhibitions across the U.S., as well as in solo gallery shows. She is currently represented by Park Gallery (Carmel, CA), ArtQwest Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ), Lovetts Gallery (Tulsa, OK), and ArtQwest Gallery (Scottsdale, AZ).
Karen holds prestigious memberships and titles in leading art organizations:
- Signature Member – Oil Painters of America
- Signature Member & Board Member – National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society
- Signature Member – Pastel Society of America
- Master Circle – International Association of Pastel Societies
- Distinguished Associate Member – American Women Artists
- Juried Member – International Guild of Realism.
Jurors of Selection
Stephie Clark
Stephie Clark is an accomplished artist renowned for her mastery of soft pastels, particularly in capturing the delicate beauty of florals and nature. With a deep passion for color, light, and texture, Stephie’s work is celebrated for its vibrant yet subtle approach, bringing life to her subjects with an ethereal quality. She is also a dedicated educator, sharing her techniques and artistic philosophy through workshops and demonstrations across the globe. Her teaching emphasizes creative decision making, simplifying complex subjects, and encouraging artists to explore their own unique voice. Stephie’s art has earned her recognition in exhibitions and pastel societies worldwide.
Margaret Dyer, Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America, Masters Circle in IAPS "At a moment in 1970, when a model dropped her robe and stood naked in front of a class of wide-eyed eighteen year old art students, I found something in life I loved – the challenge to draw the living, breathing, continuously moving landscape of the human body. What started out as a challenge quickly became a passion. Ten years later, when I happened upon Kate Fetterolf's dynamic pastels at a local exhibition, I knew I had discovered my medium.”
I have lived in Atlanta, GA, since my family moved from Long Island, New York, in 1960. I attended the Atlanta College of Art at the High Museum and furthered my studies under painters Roman Chatov, Kate Fetterolf and Jim Richards. I have made my living for over 30 years selling my work and teaching.
Eligibility
- Open to all pastel artists. If you want to become a member of APAA, visit apaa.wildapricot.org. Membership is $40.
- All work must be original pastel painting completed in the last two years (2023 – 2025) and not previously shown in an APAA exhibition or show. Work that was entered, but not accepted into a previous APAA show may be entered again, provided it meets prospectus requirements.
- Entries must be of original concept and design and if a photograph is used, it must be from a photograph you took. Work copied from images, paintings, or photographs, regardless of copyright issues, that have been published or appeared on the internet, DVD, or any publication or that are likely to be published in any format whatsoever shall not be eligible. If you use a photograph as a source, you must have taken the photograph yourself.
- The artist must provide the original source photograph if a question arises about the originality of the work. Any work that cannot be verified will be removed from the show.
- All artwork must be completed with 85% dry pastel as a final layer, underpainting as part of the process is acceptable, no oil pastels.
- Size limit: There is no size limit.
- Sales Commission: All paintings must be for sale. No NFS or POR. Artist 60%, APAA 10%, Phippen Museum 30%. Any painting withdrawn as an entry by the artist after the deadline date and time will be subject to a payment to APAA of 25% of the stated sales price. No price changes will be accepted after you have submitted your entry, so please double-check your entries for accuracy.
- Work done under supervision, mentorship, or in an instructed class, workshop, online instruction, published step by step instruction, DVD, or any other form of instruction is not eligible. Any work shown to be part of any instruction as defined above will be removed from the show.
- The artist retains copyright to their image(s), however permission to reproduce the artist's work for APAA and the Phippen for marketing and publicity purposes prior, during the show, and for future APAA event promotions is deemed given by the artist with the acceptance of their work.
- Accepted paintings must be identical to the image submitted for entry. No substitutions, copies, adjustments, repairs, or any other modification to the painting is allowed after the entry image is submitted.
- The prices on accepted paintings for the exhibit must match the price on the artists’ website, gallery and other platforms.
- All shipped paintings will be separately invoiced by apaa.wildapricot in the amount of $35 and you can pay by credit card or PayPal. Hand-Delivered paintings must be in a portfolio with a handle and label. The portfolio must completely enclose the painting and be zipped shut.
- By entering the exhibition, you agree that you have read and will abide by all rules outlined in this prospectus.
Entry Fees
- Members: 3 entries for $45
- Non-Members: 3 entries for $55
- Entry fee is non-refundable whether you are juried into the show or not.
- A maximum of one (1) painting per artist will be accepted into the exhibit.
Phippen Museum
The Phippen Museum of Western art is located at 4701 AZ-89, Prescott, AZ 8630, (928) 778-1385
Accepted Work
Upon acceptance, artists will receive shipping/delivery instructions and forms.
Work must be suitably framed in a fine art gallery-quality frame, wired and ready for hanging. No metal frames, gallery wrap canvases or sawtooth hangers. Unsuitable framing will be disqualified. Repair or replacement of frame is the financial responsibility of the artist. APAA and the Phippen are not responsible for damage caused by works framed with glass.
Hand-Delivered or transported paintings must be in a portfolio with a handle and label. The portfolio must completely enclose the painting and be zipped shut.
General Information
- JURORS AND JUDGE OF IMAGES: Two Jurors will select the entries to be accepted for the exhibition and a Judge of Awards, Karen Budan. Jurors of Images for 2026 are Stephie Clark and Margaret Dyer. Please visit their websites for more information.
- Sold artwork will be shipped to the buyer at the buyer’s expense after the show has ended. The Gallery will collect shipping information from the buyers at the time of sale and will provide sales information to the artist in a timely manner.
- SALES COMMISSION: All paintings must be for sale. Artist: 60%, Phippen: 30%, APAA: 10%. Sales will be handled by the Phippen Museum.
- INSURANCE: The artist will be responsible for insurance of artwork in transit to and from the show. The Phippen will be responsible for insurance on artwork only while it is in possession of the artwork. Buyer will be responsible for insuring work during delivery to Buyer.
- LIABILITY: APAA and/or the Phippen are not responsible for any loss or damage to artwork while in transit or at the Exhibition. All due care will be taken at all times, and if a painting arrives damaged, the artist will be contacted to determine what action should be taken.
- While we anticipate that this show will open, we realize that there is a possibility that the health and safety of our members may take precedence. If the show does not open because of pandemic issues, APAA will carry on with an online exhibition and sale and national advertising as planned.
- Artists are responsible for monitoring their emails and the website for postings and updates.
Additional Notification Information
Notifications will be emailed and posted in your ShowSubmit account by the end of the day on January 16, 2026.
You may view the notification in your ShowSubmit account by logging in and clicking tapping the Notifications at the top right of the screen, or in your Entry History.
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.
Note: Entries made prior to 2023 may not display the View Notification link.
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 (December 19, 2025.)
- 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
For questions about APAA or this Prospectus, please contact Nori ([email protected]).
For technical support or entry questions, first check our Help Center or Entry Guide. If you still need help, email ShowSubmit Support ([email protected]). We’ll respond between 9am and 6pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.