Pastel Expressions - Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art

About the Pastel Medium
echnically, pastel is a powdered
pigment rolled into round or
square sticks and held together with
methylcellulose, a non-greasy
binder. It can be either blended
with finger and stump 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 paste, the
work is considered a pastel painting; a pastel
sketch shows much of the ground. When
protected by glass and/or fixative, pastel is the
most permanent of all media because it never
cracks, darkens, or yellows.
Acknowledgment
Pastel Expressions
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art is proud to host the Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society and Pittsburgh Pastel
Artists League’s juried exhibition at the Ligonier Valley Museum. This partnership between these organizations and
SAMA represents a like-minded objective to evoke an interest in, an understanding of and an appreciation for art.
T
Pastels have a rich heritage dating back to the Renaissance. A number of noted artists including Degas, Hassam, Manet,
Renoir, Whistler and others made pastels their medium of choice. Mary Cassatt is credited with introducing pastels to the
arts community here in the United States.
Pastels offer a wide array of colors and are incredibly versatile. The medium provides for good detail and a wide range
of textures. Due to the powders used, pastels have a velvety quality to them. However, the technique can be challenging.
The artist works directly with the surface to mix and blend colors. There can be experimentation with other media but,
for the most part, this is not the case with pastels and errors are not easily masked. Pastels require a steady hand and a
mastery of the medium to produce good results.
Visitors will be impressed by the demonstrated skills, artistic ability and creative talent on display in this exhibition of
pastels. The pastelists featured in this exhibition are among the best Pennsylvania has to offer.
Kathleen Muffie-Witt, Arina, 2013
Historically, its origin can be traced
back to the sixteenth century, when
Guido Reni, Jacopo Bassano, and
Federigo Barocci were notable
practitioners. Rosalba Carriera (16751750), a Venetian female artist, was the
first to make consistent use of pastel.
Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin (16991779) did portraits with a hatching
stroke, while Maurice Quentin de la
Tour (1704-1788) preferred the
My sincere appreciation is extended to all of the individuals who worked to make Pastel Expressions a memorable program
for the participating artists and a noteworthy event for SAMA-Ligonier Valley. Site Coordinator Sommer Toffle deserves
special recognition for her efforts to bring this juried exhibition to the Museum. I truly appreciate the SAMA staff’s
dedication to task on this exhibition. I also recognize an active and involved community whose continued support is
critical to the Museum’s future. Finally, I thank the Director’s Circle, Museum Associates, Exhibition Patrons and other
donors who give generously to help make our work at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art possible.
G. Gary Moyer
Executive Director
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ($10,000)
Benzel’s Bretzel Bakery
Mr. and Mrs. William Benzel
The Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation
Franciscan Friars, T.O.R.
Mrs. Kashana Kopac
Mr. and Mrs. Harry McCreary
Mrs. Dorothea Nelson
Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Strueber
Mrs. Mary Weidlein
MUSEUM ASSOCIATES ($5,000)
Conemaugh Health System
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Devorris
Mr. and Mrs. J. Martin Kooman
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sullivan
EDUCATION SPONSORS ($2,500)
Dr. Magdi and Karen Azer
Benzel’s Bretzel Bakery
Dr. Joel E. and Mary Borkow
C & G Savings Bank
Mr. James Cayce and Mr. Thomas Dosh
Hon. and Mrs. Timothy Creany
Mr. and Mrs. John K. Duggan, Jr.
Dr. James and Chantel Garofalo
Harold & Betty Cottle Family Foundation
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Dr. Scott and Diane Little
Sheetz Inc.
Mrs. Shirley Pechter
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Wolf
Patricia McDannel, Serenity 2, 2014
blended, velvety finish. Thereafter, a galaxy of artists,
including Mengs, Nattier, Copley, Delacroix, Millet,
Manet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Redon, Vuillard,
Bonnard, Glackens, Whistler, Chase, and Hassam, just to
list the more familiar names, used pastel as finished work
rather than merely for preliminary sketches.
Degas was the most prolific user and champion of pastel,
raising it to the full brilliance of oil. His protégé, Mary
Cassatt, introduced pastel and the Impressionists to her
wealthy friends in Philadelphia and Washington, and
thus to the United States. Today, many of our most
renowned living artists distinguish themselves in pastels
and enrich the world with this glorious medium.
Editor:
Travis Mearns
Printer:
Laurel Valley Graphics
Catalogue Design:
Color Scan LLC
© 2015 Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art
This catalogue is published by the
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art
Post Office Box Nine
Loretto, PA 15940
(814) 472-3920
Hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekends: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Admission is free
Cover:
Diane Grguras, Gold Hill, 2013
Jan Pini, Shake It Off, 2014
www.sama-art.org
EXHIBITION SPONSORS ($1,500)
Atty. and Mrs. Gary Costlow
Dr. and Mrs. Owen K. Morgan
Mr. and Mrs. Edward O’Brien
Mrs. Nancy Sheetz
Mr. and Mrs. James Titelman
Mr. and Mrs. John Wandrisco
Dr. Paul Woolley
Shari Finney, The Next Pitch, 2015
Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley
May 1, 2015 - August 23, 2015
CATA L O G U E
The Jurying Process
Five selected members of the Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League
(PPAL) met on Saturday, January 17, 2015, in Natrona Heights to
jury the Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society (CPPS) entries. Seven
volunteer members of the CPPS met on Sunday, January 25, 2015,
in State College to jury the entries from the PPAL. The jurors
in both groups represented a wide set of skills and experiences
with pastels.
Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society
Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League
Prior to viewing the images, both groups reaffirmed that they were
looking for quality and reviewed an excellent list of judging criteria
put forth by a well-known pastelist.
Anne Kenyon, Maine – Late Summer,
2014
Both PPAL and CPPS, without deciding on a particular jurying
protocol, followed a similar format in each jurying session. Jurors
first viewed all of the images without comment and then went
through all of the entries again, each juror voting yes/no/maybe
on each piece. Results were tallied. Jurors then went back through
the entries discussing each work and the reason for their votes.
Further discussion was held for the pieces on which there was
disagreement, with a final vote then being taken on each piece.
THE PASTEL SOCIETIES OF PENNSYLVANIA
The Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society (CPPS) was formed in
November, 2004 in State College, with 11 founding members in
attendance. Since that time, the society has continued to grow to its
current level of 45 members. While most members are from central
Pennsylvania, members come from as far west as the Butler area,
north to Troutville and Bloomsburg, south to Williamsport and
Enola, and east to Moscow in the Scranton region. Members also
reside in other states, such as New Jersey, New Mexico, and Vermont.
The Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League (PPAL) was founded in 2002
in Pittsburgh by Dr. Pat Bianco. She was looking for other pastel
artists in the Pittsburgh area and placed an ad in the local paper
and was bombarded with responses from other pastelists in the area Rita K. Haldeman, Bert, 2014
with the same idea. They formed a loose group – no meetings,
mostly E-letters containing information on exhibits, supplies, artists’ accomplishments, websites
and other information. PPAL has since grown to 64 members, mostly from the greater
Pittsburgh area, although some members come from Maryland and Ohio.
CPPS and PPAL, the only pastel societies in Pennsylvania, are both dedicated to the following
goals: to promote fellowship among members, to raise public awareness of pastel as an artistic
medium, to enhance creative painting with pastels, and to offer educational activities that foster
growth among members. The rosters of current members reflect diverse levels of skill and
experience. Some are beginners while others are accomplished professionals; some work
exclusively with pastels while others work in mixed media, incorporating acrylic and
watercolors; and some work exclusively on their own while others attend regularly scheduled
classes and workshops. Periodically, all members meet to share their work, their techniques, and
to enjoy an afternoon of artistic fellowship.
Judy Leasure, Watermelon, 2014
Anne Kenyon (State College)
Maine – Late Summer, 2014
Pastel, 19” x 16”
Courtesy of the artist
Marianne Fyda, Toward the Great Shamokin Path, 2014
Gail Beem (Natrona Heights)
All that Jazz, 2014
Pastel, 21” x 27”
Courtesy of the artist
Diane Grguras (Glenshaw)
Aquinnah, 2014
Pastel, 14” x 11”
Courtesy of the artist
Summer into Fall, 2014
Pastel, 23” x 27”
Courtesy of the artist
Gold Hill, 2013
Pastel, 12” x 9”
Collection of the artist
William Ceriani (Pittsburgh)
Roman Amphitheater at Arles, 2014
Pastel on UArt sanded pastel paper,
24” x 30”
Collection of the artist
Rita K. Haldeman (Jeannette)
Bert, 2014
Pastel, 9” x 12”
Courtesy of the artist
Patricia Mae Young, Lucy Vincent Beach, 2013
Clare Klaum (Mechanicsburg)
Sipping on Sunshine, 2012
Pastel, 20 ½” x 16 ½”
Collection of the artist
How about Them…, 2015
Pastel, 6 ½” x 12”
Courtesy of the artist
Gail Beem (Natrona Heights)
At the Bend, 2015
Pastel on Wallis, 22” x 26”
Courtesy of the artist
Alice Kelsey (Warriors Mark)
Chester County Farm in Spring, 2012
Pastel, 18” x 25”
Courtesy of the artist
Judy Leasure (Smethport)
Watermelon, 2014
Pastel on pastel mat, 10” x 12”
Courtesy of the artist
Patricia Hilton (Cumberland, MD)
Carson Morning, 2014
Pastel, 16” x 20”
Courtesy of the artist
Autumn Glow, 2014
Pastel on Wallis, 22” x 26”
Courtesy of the artist
Tree Groves – Hot Mid-Day, 2012
Pastel, 17” x 23”
Courtesy of the artist
Patricia McDannel (DuBois)
Serenity 2, 2013
Pastel, 18” x 22”
Courtesy of the artist
Rosemary Hogan (Gibsonia)
Mons Pave’ du Nord, 2013
Pastel, 14” x 17”
Courtesy of the artist
Virginia Belser (State College)
Summer Lushness, 2014
Pastel, 14 ½” x 13 ½”
Courtesy of the artist
Spring Fever, 2013
Pastel, 15” x 18”
Courtesy of the artist
Diane Holland Murray (West Mifflin)
Barn with Approaching Storm, 2014
Pastel, 21” x 19”
Courtesy of the artist
Suzanne DeSarbo (Centre Hall)
Frozen Colyer Lake, 2014
Pastel, 17 ½” x 14 ½”
Courtesy of the artist
Jeanne McKinney (State College)
River Rebirth, 2014
Pastel, 16” x 21 ½”
Collection of the artist
Marianne Fyda (Troutville)
Iris 2, 2013
Pastel, 28” x 34”
Courtesy of the artist
Michelle Montes (Moscow)
The Stare, 2013
Pastel, 12” x 16”
Courtesy of the artist
Toward the Great Shamokin Path, 2014
Pastel, 22” x 28”
Courtesy of the artist
Kathleen Muffie-Witt (State College)
Arina, 2013
Pastel, 28” x 22”
Collection of the artist
Susan Nicholas Gephart (Bellefonte)
Sunset and Clouds over Hameau Farm,
Plein Air, 2014
Pastel, 20” x 24”
Courtesy of the artist
Joanne Turner (Colmar)
Lean on Me, 2015
Pastel, 19” x 25”
Courtesy of the artist
Jessica Heath (Williamsport)
Plum Island Storm, 2015
Pastel on paper, 16” x 20”
Collection of the artist
Judith Ann Wilson (Bellefonte)
The Path through Red Rock Park, 2014
Pastel on textured hardboard, 28” x 34”
Courtesy of the artist
Clare Klaum, Sipping on Sunshine, 2012
Gail Beem, All that Jazz, 2014
Stephany Myers (Washington)
Promise, 2014
Pastel, 20” x 24”
Courtesy of the artist
Connie Clutter (Washington)
Philadelphia 1825, 2013
Pastel, 18” x 26”
Courtesy of the artist
Jan Pini (Venetia)
Shake It Off, 2014
Pastel, 13 ½” x 14 ½”
Courtesy of the artist
Karen Ferrick (Pittsburgh)
Conversations Pending, 2013
Pastel, 19” x 23”
Courtesy of the artist
Wrapped Up in Love, 2014
Pastel, 12 ½” x 10 ½”
Courtesy of the artist
Savoring the View, 2015
Pastel, 23” x 19”
Courtesy of the artist
Marian Sallade (Pittsburgh)
Light, 2014
Pastel, 16” x 20”
Courtesy of the artist
Shari Finney (Valencia)
Graceful Petals, 2014
Pastel, 16 ½” x 13 ½”
Courtesy of the artist
The Next Pitch, 2015
Pastel, 11” x 15”
Courtesy of the artist
Karen Ferrick, Conversations Pending, 2013
Patricia Mae Young (Pittsburgh)
Lucy Vincent Beach, 2013
Pastel, 25” x 31”
Courtesy of the artist