News & Events
Next Member Program
Nov. 11, 2023 (Zoom)
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Jacob Aguiar Workshop
Oct. 7-9, 2023
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Crossroads Art Center
7th Annual Judged Members Exhibit
Sept 6 - Nov. 5, 2023
"Expressions in Pastels"
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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
"Having Fun with Pastel Painting Exercises"
March 11, 2023
MAPS members presented different painting exercises to members and then we had a go at doing them ourselves.  Linda Wolitz shared a complementary, local color and analogous painting of a subject. Judy Leasure demoed how to make a painting using 10, 20, and 30 strokes. Lorraine Momper showed how different colored paper can affect the mood and colors of your paintings. Regina Tune demoed a value study and the importance of doing one to get your values right. Diane Worthington demoed different kinds of mark making such as broken color, feathering, crosshatching, scumbling, and sgraffito. If you are a MAPS Member you can access the Demo following these tabs at the top of this webpage -  Membership link/For Members Only link /Go to Program Videos link
Member Meeting
Evening with Tony Allain 
Reception and Demo
May 11, 2023
Tony Allain charmed us with his wit and artistic skill for an amazing live MAPS program. After dining on heavy hors d'oeuvres from DeFazio's Catering, Tony painted two beautiful paintings for MAPS members and guests. Robin Ricketts won the member raffle in which the proceeds went to MAPS. Carolyn Ratcliffe won the drawing where the proceeds went to Tony. 
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Tony Allain Workshops
"Mood & Atmosphere with Fresh Eyes"
May 12 -14, 2023 (3 day Workshop)
May 15 & 16, 2023 (2 day Workshop)
Two groups of students, some in a 3 day workshop and some in a 2 day workshop, had the pleasure of learning and working with Tony Allain.
Tara Will
"Pastels: Immediacy and Color"
January 27-28, 2023
Sixteen of our members had an intense but satisfying three days. Tara covered a variety of topics both new and familiar.

Day One was spent simplifying the color of objects to the color as it sits in the light vs. the same object’s color in shadow. She also demonstrated the difference between a highly chromatic color vs. its value. The exercises that followed brought some surprising revelations about how intense chromas do not necessarily correlate with the perceived value of that color.

Day Two Tara discussed Johannes Itten’s interpretation of color concepts, including simultaneous contrast, extension, reflected light and contrast using color vs. value.

Day Three was spent mark making and Tara’s description of how these marks can contribute to the mood you are trying to create in a painting.