About Us

President:
Richard Rees

Vice President:
Simon Hodges

Treasurer:
GMP, LLP

Honorary Secretary:
Jenny Halstead

Trustee:
Moira Huntly

Membership Secretary:
Martin Goold

Publicity Secretary:
Melodie Cook

Education Secretary:
Richard Rees

Exhibitions Officer:
Jane Hodgson

Council:
Sarah Bee
Cheryl Culver
Sheila Goodman
Felicity House
Jayne Perkins
Susan Relph
Roy Wright

Archivist:
Felicity House

AGBI Steward:
Simon Klein

Website & MailChimp:
Cheryl Culver

Instagram:
Michele Ashby

Bluesky:
Janine Baldwin

Senior Members:
James Crittenden
Brian Dunce
Jeannette Hayes
Richard Marshall
Norman Smith
Claire Spencer
Susan Dakakni

Honorary Members:
Diana Armfield
Kenneth Draper
Anthony Eyton
Andrew Hemingway
William Packer

Honorary Retired Members:
June Arnold
James Longueville
Michael Norman
Robert Richardson
Eiko Yoshimoto

Companions of The Pastel Society:
Jack Clewer,
Ken Gofton,
Greg Ladd,
Anthony J Lester,
John Molony,
William Packer,
Patricia Patterson,
Alec Reed CBE

Members:

Angela A'Court
Tony Allain
Glenys Ambrus
Tanya Avchinikova
June Arnold
Michele Ashby
Janine Baldwin
Andrew Barrowman
Liz Balkwill
Caroline Bays
Sarah Bee
Keith Bennett
David Brammeld
Peter Brown
Fiona Carvell
Melodie Cook
Cheryl Culver
Roger Dellar
Louise Diggle
Stella Downing
Matthew Draper
Jaana Fowler
Margaret Glass
Sheila Goodman
Martin Goold
Valeriy Gridnev
Jenny Halstead
Jeannette Hayes
Simon Hodges
Jayne Hodgson
Curtis Holder
Benjamin Hope
Felicity House
Moira Huntly
Jill Jeffrey
Maria Kaleta
Simon Klein
Kevin Line
Barry Lowenhoff
Jayne Perkins
Susie Prangnell
Alexander Prowse
Ian Rawling
Richard Rees
Susan Relph
Dave Roberts
Keith Roper
Mark Rowbotham
Halla Shafey
Malcolm Taylor
John Tookey
Peter Vincent
Katrina Wallis-King
Christine Watson
Roy Wright
Tom Zaw 

History of the Pastel Society

The Pastel Society was founded in 1898, and the first exhibition was held in the Royal Institute in Piccadilly. Founder members and early exhibitors included Brangwyn, Degas, Rodin, Rothenstein, Whistler and G.F. Watts.

The Pastel Society - A Timeline

1870 The Société des Pastellists founded in Paris
1888 A Pastel Exhibition in London with British and French artists
1889 A Pastel Exhibition in London with British artists
1890 The Society of British Pastellists is formed
1890-91 Society ended
1898, Sept. The Pastel Society is formed. George Watts is elected President.
1898, Oct. George Watts declines Presidency but is made Hon. Member.
1899- Annual exhibitions held in Galleries of Royal Institute of Water Colour Painters
1926 Joint exhibition with The Pencil Society
1939-45 Annual exhibitions continued unlike many societies.
1970 The Society joined The Federation of British Artists at The Mall Galleries
1980’s-90’s Renaissance of Society through the enthusiasm and respected Presidents such as John Blockley and Tom Coates
1988 The Pastel Society amalgamated with the Pencil Society

The Present

At the heart of The Pastel today is that; “Membership of The Society will be granted through a strict assessment of technical skill, originality, innovation, enthusiasm and a willingness to promote the objectives and activities of The Society.”

We have added this final clause to emphasise to everyone that whilst the society must reflect and seek the highest values, this is not enough and by adding an equality statement, formalising the society as a charity that is open, friendly and yet professional.

To spread this message our website is developing, digital presence is growing and society membership is growing.

Prizes & Awards

The Tom Coates Memorial Prize

The Yoshimoto Prize

The President's Prize

The Bob Last Prize

The Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award

Caran d'Ache Award

Frank Herring Award

Henri Roche Award

Mamut Award

Schmincke Award

UART Award

Unison Member Award

Unison Non-member Award

Unison Young Artist Award

West Design Award

The Pastel Society Visitors' Choice Award

The Artist Magazine Award

The Pastel Society Catalogue Award: First Prize

The Pastel Society Catalogue Award: Second Prize


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