About This Call
The PSA International Online Exhibition is a member only juried exhibition presented by the Pastel Society of America.
The exhibition was created to expand opportunities for PSA members to exhibit outstanding work, gain professional recognition, and advance within the Society. By removing the expense and logistical challenges of shipping artwork, it provides greater access for members while maintaining the high standards of excellence that have long distinguished PSA exhibitions.
Accepted artwork will be presented in the online exhibition gallery hosted by ShowSubmit and promoted through the PSA website, email communications, and social media.
Exhibition Structure
The PSA International Online Exhibition features two competitive divisions.
- Associate Division — Open to all Associate Members.
- Signature & Master Pastelist Division — Open to all Signature Members and Master Pastelists.
Artists compete only within their respective membership division.
Awards
Associate Division
- Best of Show — $1,000
- First Place — $750
- Second Place — $500
- Third Place — $250
- Honorable Mention (5) — $50
Signature & Master Pastelist Division
- Best of Show — $1,000
- First Place — $750
- Second Place — $500
- Third Place — $250
- Honorable Mention (5) — $50
Promotion Counts
Promotion counts are awarded only for Best of Show, First Place, Second Place, and Third Place. Associates receiving one of these awards earn one promotion count toward Signature Membership. Signature Members receiving one of these awards earn one promotion count toward Master Pastelist status. Master Pastelist members are eligible for awards but do not accrue additional promotion counts. Honorable Mentions do not earn promotion counts.
Eligibility
- Open to all PSA members who have a current membership.
- Apply for membership by January 11, 2027, to be eligible to submit paintings to the exhibition.
- You must pay your annual dues in full to enter as a PSA member. ShowSubmit does not process member dues at the time of entry.
- Artwork previously accepted into any PSA sponsored exhibition, including The Enduring Brilliance Annual Exhibition, is not eligible. Artwork previously exhibited in the PSA Showcase remains eligible.
- The Juror and Judge may consider an artwork's prior exhibition and award history when making acceptance and award decisions.
- Accepted artwork may not be exhibited in another virtual exhibition during the dates of the PSA International Online Exhibition. In-person exhibitions are permitted.
- Artwork must be created with traditional soft pastels. Oil pastels are not permitted.
- The final surface of the artwork must be at least 80% traditional soft pastel.
- Your work must be original and based on your own references, not copied from other artists or published materials.
- Any reference provided by an instructor is not eligible, including instructor provided photographs, still life arrangements, or model setups.
- Work completed in a classroom, workshop, or online group setting is not eligible.
- Artwork created over photographic transfers or AI generated imagery is not eligible.
- There are no size restrictions for this exhibition.
- All subjects and styles, from traditional realism to modern abstraction, are welcome.
- Artwork must have been completed within the past four years.
Foreign Entries
PSA requests that all artists submit their applications individually. Entries submitted through an international or domestic art broker or other third party will be disqualified and will not be processed.
Cash awards will be issued through PayPal. Artists are responsible for maintaining a valid PayPal account capable of receiving funds. If an award recipient is unable to accept payment through PayPal, the award amount will be considered a donation to the Pastel Society of America.
Sales
Artwork may be offered for sale or designated Not For Sale (NFS). The Pastel Society of America does not participate in the sale of artwork exhibited in the PSA International Online Exhibition. Any inquiries regarding the purchase of artwork will be directed to the artist, and all sales arrangements are solely between the artist and purchaser.
Entry Fees
- PSA members: $50 for one, two, or three entries.
- Artists may submit up to five entries.
- Each additional entry beyond the initial three is $15 per artwork.
- Only one artwork per selected artist will be accepted into the exhibition.
- Entry fees are nonrefundable.
Online Entry
- Entry is available exclusively online.
- Follow the directions for entry.
- Payment may be made using a valid credit or debit card.
- Incomplete entries will be disqualified.
Notification
- Participants may submit up to five entries.
- Once judging is complete, all artists will receive an email notification.
Accepted Work
Only one artwork per selected artist will be accepted into the exhibition. Accepted artwork will be displayed in the PSA International Online Exhibition gallery hosted by ShowSubmit.
Juror and Judge
Jimmy Wright, PSA-MP, HFH, NA
Jimmy Wright is President of the Pastel Society of America, a Master Pastelist, Hall of Fame Honoree, and National Academician. Recognized as one of America's foremost contemporary pastel artists, his work is represented in the permanent collections of major museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Hammer Museum. Throughout his distinguished career, Wright has been a passionate advocate for the pastel medium and has received numerous national and international honors.