May 18-July 7
Opening Reception: Friday, May 25th, 6-8 pm
Padnos Gallery

The popular Great Lakes Pastel Society Juried Exhibition returns to the Padnos Gallery this year opening on May 25th with a reception and awards from 6-8 pm. This national show displays the work of 57 top shelf pastelists from across the nation with Nancie King Mertz serving as juror.

Some history: In 1997, five pastel artists met in Grand Rapids with the idea of creating an organization to promote the pastel medium. After becoming a nonprofit and a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS), they hosted their first exhibit at the Grand Valley Artists gallery in November of 1997. Each member brought a painting to the show and Master Pastelist Larry Blovits critiqued each painting. From this start in 1997, the Great Lakes Pastel Society has grown to over 200 members in 12 states and host annual exhibitions around the region.

For more information on the Great Lakes Pastel society, visit them online at greatlakespastelsociety.org.