We. Are. Pastelists.
The Pastel Society of the West Coast is proud to offer its members exemplary opportunities for education, competition and community.
Top News
Travel’s gone wild—so we’re taking the party online!
Dawn Emerson’s workshops will now be held online via Zoom, please note the reduced cost and updated dates.
PASTEL INNOVATIONS (ONLINE)
April 6th – 8th
9:00am – 4:00pm PT
3 Day Workshop: $350
This workshop turns PanPastels into your creative co‑conspirators as you mix them with inks, oils, crayons, and other unexpected media. With playful layering and surprising tools, you’ll discover fresh approaches to drawing inspired by Dawn’s Pastel Innovations 2017 book and expanded with brand‑new processes.
PASTEL INNOVATIONS PLUS (ONLINE)
April 10th – 11th
9:00am – 4:00pm PT
2 Day Workshop: $250
Designed for artists who have taken a Pastel Innovations session at some time, this workshop focuses on refining and reimagining a subject for greater expressive impact. Through daily explorations of design elements using mixed media and pastel, participants will be encouraged to challenge traditional expectations of the medium and approach their work with a spirit of inquiry and possibility.
Discover new ways to think about surfaces, layering, and inclusion of the pastel medium with mixed media.
No face painting required! 😊
~Dawn
March Guest Blog
This month, Laura Mocnik, dives into a provocative question: who holds the final say in a work of art’s meaning—the maker or the beholder?
Saturday, March 21st
12:00 Noon PT
Join us for an inspiring We Talk Art conversation as Bonnie engages with Pastel Laureate Kim Lordier, whose deep connection to nature and artistic community shines through her work.
2026 Regional Events
Connect Locally, Create Together
Thanks to our dedicated regional volunteers, PSWC members can enjoy a growing calendar of in-person events—from casual meetups to creative outings. While our community spans far and wide, these local gatherings offer a chance to share inspiration, build friendships, and experience art together.
We. Are. Active.
PSWC provides excellent opportunities for our members to be actively involved in the pastel art community. See a highlight of our activities on the membership benefits page.