THE Pastel Society of WA will hold its annual exhibition and sale in Sorrento this month.
Committee member Michele Scott said in the 19th Century, Edgar Degas and other Impressionist artists made pastels famous but they had been around much longer.
“Pastel works, in fact, appeared long before that in the 1700s and have found their way through art history and in recent times have become more popular both in Australia and internationally,” she said.
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READ NOW“Pastels are a pure pigment medium instantly spontaneous with the most beautiful range of colours.”
President Val Brooks, of Connolly, donated this year’s door prize – a framed dune painting.
Earlier this year, Brooks’ pastel work was highly commended at The West Australian Society exhibition.
She won the pastel category at the same exhibition last year, plus won both the best pastel and the best artwork prizes in the Dalwallinu Show.
As Australia’s longest-running pastel group, the Pastel Society of WA was founded in 1983 and each year holds a dedicated exhibition for pastel works by Perth and WA artists.
In the past year, the society has expanded from its weekly Monday meets at Mildenhall in Duncraig to hold Tuesday meets at Atwell Gallery as well.
It has more than 100 members, with all levels or artists welcome to join.
The free exhibition at Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club will be open from 9am to 5pm on August 20 and 21.