Pastel winners

What: “Pastels on High” International Exhibition

Who: Sierra Pastel Society

Where: El Dorado Art Council ArtSpace Gallery, 459 Main St. in Placerville

When: Through Dec. 1

Cost: No charge

Information: SierraPastelSociety.net

 

The Sierra Pastel Society announced the award-winning paintings on display at its ninth “Pastels on High” International Exhibition.

The show is now hanging at the El Dorado Art Council ArtSpace Gallery, 459 Main St. in Placerville, and runs through Dec. 1.

The juried exhibit showcases 67 paintings by gifted pastel artists from around the nation. The winner of the Best of Show painting “Cliff at Point Lobos” by Placerville pastelist Frances Zurick Morgan, the 12 award recipients and the participating artists will be honored at the gala reception and awards presentation on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the gallery.

Terri Ford, one of the most distinguished pastelists in California, was judge of awards. Ford is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and a Master Circle member of the International Association of Pastel Societies.

Her pastel paintings have won numerous awards, most recently the grand prize in the 13th annual Pastel 100 Contest sponsored by the national art magazine, “Pastel Journal.”

A resident of the Bay Area, she currently travels throughout the U.S. and abroad teaching.

Award winners

Best of Show: Frances Zurick Morgan, Placerville, “Cliff at Pt. Lobos.”

Awards of Excellence: Matt Lister, El Dorado Hills, “Waltz;” William Schneider, Crystal Lake, Ill., “Steadfast;” Jim Tyler, San Luis Obispo, “Lily and Lace;” Carol Hodgson, Folsom, “Sunflower Tangle;” and Joyce Schoettgen, Murphys, “Apples in Mesh.”

Awards of Merit: Carolyn Lewis, Placerville, “Willow;” Joyce Lister, Timonium, Md., “Spirit Island;” Gloria Vernon, Placerville, “Winter Comes Early;” Jimmie Claire Grann, El Dorado Hills, “The Hills are Alive; and Eve Miller, St. Helena Island, S.C., “Lowtide.”

Thelma Davis Award: Carolyn Braun, Paso Robles, “Nine Koi.”

Visitors will see some of the most beautiful works of pastel art available in the Sacramento region at this show.

Over $5,000 in merchandise and scholarships will be given to the award winners.

Admission to the exhibit is free and all paintings are for sale.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Third Saturday Art Walk, Nov. 17th, when the gallery will remain open until 8 p.m.

The Sierra Pastel Society was founded in 1999. The objective of SPS is to provide members with learning opportunities and exhibitions, and to create a greater awareness of pastels with art collectors and the general public.

The organization’s motto “Bringing Brilliance to Art and Life” is demonstrated through the vivid colors and varied application techniques to achieve desired moods in these selected paintings.

SPS has more than 100 members — both professional and amateur painters. The Sierra Pastel Society is also a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies.

As described by the Pastel Society of America, pastels are powdered pigment, rolled into sticks and held together with a non-greasy binder. They can be blended or left with visible strokes and lines. Generally, the ground is toned paper, but sanded boards and canvas are also popular. If the ground is covered completely with pastel, the work is considered a pastel painting; a pastel sketch shows much of the ground. When protected by glass, pastel is the most permanent of all fine art painting media (including oils, acrylics and watercolors) — it never cracks, darkens or yellows.

For more information go to SierraPastelSociety.net.