News & Events
Next Member Program
May 11th, 2023
​6pm-9pm
(Registration required)
Get more information
Tony Allain Workshop
May 12,13,14, 2023
May 15-16, 2023
"Mood and Atmosphere, with Fresh Eyes"
Get more information
Glenmore Yoga & Wellness Center
Mar. 8 - May 10, 2023
"Serenity and Meditative Works"
Get more information

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
Glen Maxion - Virtual Demo
"Life's a  Beach: An Organic Approach to the Figure"
January 13, 2023
MAPS Members watched Glen Maxion via Zoom, from home or together at a local library, create the painting  above and explain his process.  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.
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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.
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.