News & Events
Next Member Meeting
January 13, 2023
​12:30-2:30 pm
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Tara Will (Zoom) Workshop
Jan. 27-29, 2023
"Pastels: Immediacy and Color"
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Glenmore Yoga & Wellness Center
Mar. 8 - May 10, 2023
"Serenity and Meditative Works"
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Welcome to the MidAtlantic Pastel Society

The MidAtlantic Pastel Society (MAPS) is dedicated to the promotion and greater understanding of pastels as a fine art medium.  Open to adults from beginning student to professional, the society provides its members with fellowship, support and growth through bimonthly programs, by offering workshops, critiques and other educational training, and with opportunities to exhibit.  Our guiding principles of governance are to operate in a transparent, open manner, seeking ongoing discussion and input from our members.

Founded in mid-2015, MAPS has rapidly grown to include more than 100 members across the mid-Atlantic region.  Our membership spans all skill levels, from award-winning and nationally recognized pastellists to artists just getting started in our medium. 

​Click here for more information about MAPS.
Visit us on Facebook, Instagram or email if you have questions about the society!
Please visit our online Art Gallery
​for more beautiful pastel paintings!
Member Meeting
"Lyn Asselta Virtual Pastel Demo - Inviting Intention"
November 12, 2022
Lyn Asselta discussed thinking about the story you want to relay in your painting rather than just trying to paint a pretty scene. In her demo painting, Lyn wanted to relay a sense of mystery by asking the viewer to wonder what happens further along the path. She uses thumbnail sketches to work out the composition, format (square, rectangular, etc.), and values.
Member Meeting
"Underpainting Explorations and Show & Tell"
September 9, 2022
MAPS Members rotated between underpainting stations which included pastels and denatured alcohol, fluid acrylics, watercolor, gouache, calligraphy ink, intense ink sticks, and ArtGraf pressed pigment blocks.
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Nancie King Mertz Workshop
"Perspective and Plein Air"
October 21-23, 2022 
Students learned about perspective while painting in a different location in our 3-day plain air workshop with Nancie King Mertz.
Cuong Nguyen Workshop
"Pastel Portraits"
​Mar. 18-20, 2022
Students learned Cuong Nguyen's verdaccio technique for portraits with pastel pencils in a 3 day in-person workshop.