Pastel Society of Ireland Annual Exhibition (2023 deferred)

15 February – 15 March 2024

Island Arts Centre Lisburn

In 1988, a group of pastellists in Northern Ireland, frustrated by having to exhibit their works as part of the Ulster Watercolour Society, decided to form a Society which would let their work shine on its own, and like Degas, Renoir, Mary Cassatt, and even Picasso, show off the versatile pastel  medium as it should be seen. They were led by the late Sam Mateer (RUA) who envisaged an all embracing entity, and the Pastel Society of Ireland was born. Our members come from all corners of the island, and we try to hold events and exhibit in venues which mirror their regional diversity.

Covid put a two year hold on all of our normal activities, so we are delighted that once again  we can keep faith with our constant members, and have resumed workshops, and exhibiting in galleries again. Our major exhibition is always our Annual Exhibition, but this year – 2023, we have been unable to find a large enough gallery space. We have however, been fortunate to secure a space in our home from home, the Island Arts Centre, in February – March 2024, so we have decided to hold our deferred 2023 Annual Exhibition at the beginning of 2024 instead. Thank you very much for having us here and for all your help in making it possible.

Last year (2022) we simplified things by confining the exhibition to our members, both Full and Associate – we had no “Open” section, and no selection process bar the usual number of works allowed to each category of membership and any restriction imposed by the size of the venue.

This year we hope to get back to our normal open exhibition with usual selection procedure for Associate members and non-members submitting in the open section, allowing as many works as possible to be displayed.

Patricia Burgess, Chairman.

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm

For further details contact: patburgess129@gmail.com

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