August 11, 2026

Tucson Desert Art Museum and Four Corners Gallery
(Juried Exhibition & Art Sale 2026)

Lilly of the Valley and Desert Mesquite were juried into this museum art gallery exhibition!

Original artwork by Christy Olsen

Lilly of the Valley.
Pastel (dry medium) over ink monotype. On acid-free cotton paper. 9x12.

Original artwork by Christy Olsen

Desert Mesquite.
Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On acid-free toned paper. 9x12.

Museum Juried Exhibition & Sale

For the spring 2026 season, the Four Corners Gallery will host a spectacular juried art show and sale, Pastel Expressions, in collaboration with the Tucson Pastel Society. The exhibition opens on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 and runs until Sunday, October 25, 2026. Jurors selected multiple fine art pieces in the pastel medium, which include a wide range of subject matter, such as landscape, figure, abstract, or still life.

Exhibition Dates

This juried art show and sale is open to the general public from Wednesday, September 30, 2026 through Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Admission

Admission to the gallery and the exhibition is free. Admission to enter the Museum is required.

Artist's Reception

The exhibition awards will be announced at the artist's reception on October 25, 2026, 2–4pm (12:00 PM—4:00 PM). Refreshments will also be provided.

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium, unite pastel artists, and organize professional development and artistic growth opportunities that increase the community's awareness of the versatility and value of pastel fine art. Find them online at tucsonpastelsociety.org.


Jurors

Christine DeBrosky is an internationally recognized fine artist and master pastelist. Christine is celebrated for her luminous landscapes inspired by the Southwest’s extraordinary light. Her discerning eye and deep artistic experience make her a wonderful choice for this year’s awards.

About the Gallery and Museum

The Tucson Desert Art Museum presents thought-provoking exhibitions that explore the Southwest's art, history, and cultures. Nowhere else in Tucson will you find such a variety of regional art drawn from many cultural traditions. Find them online at TucsonDArt.org.


The Museum hosts national exhibitions from the Smithsonian Institution, Women Artists of the West, and American Women Artists to display various artistic styles and intriguing artwork. The Museum artifacts features a world-class collection of Native American textiles, classic and contemporary paintings, photography, and digital media.

Tucson Desert Art Museum Complex Front Door,
located in Santa Fe Square, advertising the show.

The Museum rotates special exhibits annually, and the Four Corners Gallery offers original paintings and sculptures for purchase, as well as Native American jewelry and pottery.

Tucson Desert Art Museum Complex Courtyard,
located in Santa Fe Square.

Located at 7000 East Tanque Verde Road, just west of Udall Park, and surrounded by magnificent panoramic views of the Catalina and Rincon mountains, the Museum is becoming a center for art, culture, and education on Tucson's east side. Its motto is "Visualize history through art." It invites guests to immerse themselves in history through beautiful art!

Address

7000 E Tanque Verde Rd,
Tucson, Arizona 85715

Directions

Located in Santa Fe Square, the entrance faces Sabino Canyon Road on the east side of the complex, behind Chase Bank.

Parking

They offer our museum members free parking in the parking lot opposite the Museum. Other parking spaces are located within the complex off of Tanque Verde Road.

Gallery Hours

Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, and any Major Holidays

Museum Hours

Wednesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Phone

520-202-3888

Web

Museum: TucsonDArt.org
Four Corners Gallery: TucsonDArt.org/shop

Quick Sketch in Watercolor (Sep. 2026)

Sep. 6, 13 & 20, Sunday Afternoons at the Campbell Studio.

Art Verve Art Class

Watercolor is a medium that is perfect for travel sketching and on the go! Take it anywhere with some easy techniques for when you're traveling or short on time. We'll practice from life in the studio and in the garden, using a gesture style quick sketch. Learn to use some additional water-based media, such as ink and gouache, a fast-drying, opaque watercolor medium. They are all great for traveling or sketching on the go! An excellent approach for beginners.

July 1, 2026

TPS 2026 Chromatic Conversations
(Juried Web Exhibition & Art Sale)

"Luminous Landscape" was juried into the 2026 TPS online exhibition!

This online exhibition brings together pastel artists of all experience levels to celebrate the expressive power of color. Through diverse subjects and styles, the exhibition reveals how artists use hue, value, and temperature to create dialogue within their compositions and with their viewers. This exhibition honors the joy of learning, the courage of experimentation, and the mastery that grows over time.

Luminous Landscape, original painting by Christy Olsen
Luminous Landscape. Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On acid-free cotton paper. 12x16. by Christy Olsen.

Online Juried Exhibition & Art Sale

The "2026 Members Only TPS Exhibition" is sponsored by, the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS).

Click here to view the artwork displayed online.


Dates

July 1 - September 16, 2026
Awards Ceremony: September 16, 2026

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium, unite pastel artists, and organize professional development and artistic growth opportunities that increase the community's awareness of the versatility and value of pastel fine art. Find them online at tucsonpastelsociety.org.


Juror of Entries

Fred Somers (fredericksomers.com) will select paintings for the show and the awards.

Fred Somers is an award‑winning pastel artist whose work is celebrated for its luminous landscapes and contemplative sense of place. With a career spanning more than five decades, he has exhibited nationally and internationally, earning recognition from leading pastel societies and arts organizations. His paintings are held in private and public collections, and he is widely respected as both an accomplished artist and an insightful juror. Fred brings to our exhibition a deep commitment to artistic excellence and a discerning eye shaped by years of professional experience.

March 10, 2026

TPS 2026 Power of Pastel International
(Juried Web Exhibition & Art Sale)

"Sunrise" was juried into the 2026 international online exhibition!

This year’s call for entries drew an extraordinary range of submissions from pastel artists representing countries across the globe.

Three-Legged Pot with Grapes, original painting by Christy Olsen
Sunrise. Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On acid-free cotton paper. 12x16. by Christy Olsen.

Online Juried Exhibition & Art Sale

The "2026 International TPS Exhibition" is sponsored by, the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS).

Click here to view the artwork displayed online.


Dates

March 9 - July 1, 2026

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization established to advocate and promote the pastel medium, unite pastel artists, and organize professional development and artistic growth opportunities that increase the community's awareness of the versatility and value of pastel fine art. Find them online at tucsonpastelsociety.org.


Juror of Entries

Dawn Emerson (DawnEmerson.com) will select paintings for the show.

Dawn is an accomplished pastelist, mixed media painter, printer, juror, and teacher. Passionate about drawing and mark making, she is always in pursuit of innovative ways to express and teach interpretations of mood and energy. Her classes are focused on exploration rather than specific techniques, and her presentation of material makes learning fun, engaging, and powerful. Dawn comes from a background of graphic design and has been teaching for 25 years. She is a signature member in good standing of the Pastel Society of America and the West Coast Pastel Society. She is also a member and part-time instructor for Central Oregon Community College and the Atelier 6000 Printmaking studio in Bend, Oregon. Her studio is located in Terrebonne, Oregon.

Judge of Awards

Kim Lordier (KimFrancherLordier.com) will select all paintings nominated for awards.

Painter and California Native, Kim Lordier received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco and University of San Francisco. Lordier’ s art examines the patterns of nature, and how light transforms the mood of an environment. Known for utilizing rich colors and a tapestry-like effect in her mark making, Kim weaves her spiritual relationship with the outdoors into her work. After two decades of painting the Western landscape, from life and in the studio, Lordier brings her lifelong passion for the horse into her compositions. Fascinated with the strength and grace of the horse, she conveys their power and gentility by painting them in their surroundings. Whether portraying working stock, performance horses or wild mustangs, Lordier reflects on the kindred spirit of these beautiful creatures and their relationship to man. Kim is a Signature Member of the California Art Club, the Pastel Society of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and a Distinguished Pastelist of the Pastel Society of the West Coast. A coveted workshop instructor, Kim leads workshops across the country.

March 7, 2026

Watercolor with Ink (Mar. 2026)

Watercolor is a medium used for urban sketching or painting, making it perfect for travel. Using waterproof ink and watercolor, we'll focus on achieving a simple outcome that you can practice and take with you anywhere or scale into a larger format.

Art Verve Art Class

The ink allows control over your lines and values, so the watercolor may be used create expressive, vibrant, and energetic strokes. An excellent approach for beginners: you only need ink, your paints, and a waterbrush to get started.

Meets: Sunday Afternoons, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Dates: Mar. 1, 8 & 15,
Location: Art Verve Academy
Art Verve Studio is located at 2700 N. Campbell Ave. Suite 300 Tucson, Arizona 85719.

Instructor: Christy Olsen
Format: Demonstration, studio practice with one-on-one instruction.
Level: No experience necessary. All levels are welcome!

Medium: Watercolor
Technique: Use waterproof ink to add lines and build values with the loose feel of expressive watercolor washes or brushwork.
Materials: Bring some basic drawing materials to take notes. Bring any watercolor paints or supplies that you already own. We'll also provide pens, paints, and brushes, along with instructions on what to buy if you are just getting started and want to purchase supplies in the future.

Art Verve Academy

November 27, 2025

Getting Acquainted with Watercolor (Jan. 2026)

Jan. 11, 18 & 25, Sunday Afternoons at the Campbell Studio.

Art Verve Art Class

Watercolor is a medium used for urban sketching, or painting. It refers to both the medium and the and the resulting artwork. Watercolor is a great medium for beginners, you only need your paints, a brush and piece of paper to get going, water activates the paint. We'll focus on the basics to achieve a simple outcome in this medium and what types of supplies that are needed to help you succeed.

September 29, 2025