ABOUT THE PASTEL SOCIETY OF PAKISTAN
Born in 2015 from the vision of Naveed Khan, the Pastel Society of Pakistan (PSP) ignites a passion for pastels within the Pakistani art scene. As the leading force for pastel appreciation and promotion, PSP illuminates the artistic possibilities of this vibrant medium.
The inaugural National Art Exhibition, titled “The Twelve Pastelists” held at Islamabad’s prestigious Nukta Studios, established itself as a beacon for pastel artists from Pakistan. PSP fosters artistic growth through a vibrant program of exhibitions, workshops, and prestigious awards bestowed during the society’s exhibitions.
Pastelists showing technical acumen and creative use of the pastel techniques are awarded prizes for their achievements. Members winning five cumulative awards are named PSP Master Pastelists.
Every Five years, one exceptional artist, whose dedication to the pastel medium has profoundly impacted the art world, is inducted into the prestigious PSP Hall of Fame. Here at PSP, we celebrate the artistry and potential of pastels, providing a platform for artistic exploration and fostering a thriving community of passionate creators.
MEMBERSHIP
The Pastel Society of Pakistan fosters a vibrant community of artists who work in the pastel medium. The society offers a tiered membership structure to recognize artistic development: Emerging, Associate, Signature, and Master Pastelist.
Membership Levels:
- Emerging: This level is open to new artists whose work is accepted into the annual exhibition (upon application for membership).
- Associate/Signature: The membership committee awards these statuses based on a review of submitted applications. Associate members in good standing can also achieve Signature status through the jurying process or by being accepted into five non-consecutive annual exhibitions.
- Master Pastelist: This is the highest honor bestowed upon signature members who accumulate five awards at the annual exhibition.
International Recognition through Juried Awards:
The Pastel Society of Pakistan takes pride in its rigorous jurying process. A distinguished panel selects award winners for the annual exhibition. This panel comprises esteemed pastel artists from various international pastel societies and respected national art professionals, such as curators and museum directors.
As a non-member accepted to the Annual for the first time, your acceptance counts toward your elevation to Emerging status, provided you apply for Emerging Membership.
THE PASTELISTS
The Pastel Society of Pakistan (PSP) is dedicated to showcasing the talents of Pakistan’s leading pastel artists and fostering artistic growth. We achieve this through a vibrant program of exhibitions, including:
- Annual Juried Exhibitions: Held both online and physically, these exhibitions provide a platform for established and emerging pastel artists to showcase their work on a regular basis (e.g., annually or biannually).
- The National Art Exhibition: The Pastelists! This prestigious event takes place every year in September at the National Art Gallery Islamabad. Mark your calendars for this year’s exhibition, happening from September [date] to September [date].