Beginning in late March and running through June 2, the Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM) presents its 32nd annual Enchanted Colors exhibition at the historic Millicent Rogers Museum, located just outside of Taos in El Prado, New Mexico.
This year’s event received more than 250 submissions from which esteemed jurors Gwenneth Barth-White, Nancie King Mertz and Laura Pollak selected 65 works to be in the physical show. These pieces and at least another 40 of equal caliber that were submitted for the digital platform only, will be on view simultaneously online.
Marilyn Drake, Arrivederci, pastel, 16 x 12"
After evaluating the paintings on display in the museum, judge of awards Heidi Marshall will select the paintings she believes show exceptional artistic merit, and divvy up the $10,000-plus in cash and sponsorship awards accordingly. The winners will be announced during the opening day Gala Celebration and Award Ceremony on Saturday, March 30, from 3 to 5 p.m.
“The Pastel Society of New Mexico is excited to be holding our 2024 Enchanted Colors Exhibition,” says PSNM chairperson Nicholas Tesluk. “We invite pastel artists worldwide to participate. Our national exhibitions are always much anticipated and well received.”
The Pastel Society of New Mexico was formed in 1989 by a small group of artists seeking to promote the appreciation of the soft pastel medium and contribute to the growing arts community in New Mexico. The nonprofit’s membership has since grown to include artists from more than half the states in the nation and many other countries.
Nicholas Tesluk, Requiem, pastel, 16 x 16"
“The pastel medium is special because an artist is literally painting with pure high quality pigments,” says Tesluk. “With pastels,” he continues, “only enough gum tragacanth is added to the pigment to enable a firm dough which is formed into a small cylindrical tube and allowed to dry. Thus, the pigment that is applied to the paper…is literally pure color and there is no color change due to a drying or aging process. There are pastel paintings from the 17th century that still look as beautiful today as the day they were painted.”
Take this opportunity to be enchanted by the lasting beauty of pastels surrounded by the equally timeless beauty of the Southwest desert. —
Enchanted Colors
March 30-June 2, 2024
Millicent Rogers Museum
1504 Millicent Rogers Road, El Prado, NM 87529
(505) 908-6803, www.pastelsnm.org
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