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!

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

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. Jurors selected multiple fine art pieces in the pastel medium, including a wide range of subject matter such as landscape, figure, abstract, and still life.

Pastel Expressions Advertisement, reference from Tucson Lifestyle magazine, October 2026 Issue, page 31.

Exhibition Dates

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

Artist's Reception

The exhibition awards will be announced at the artist's reception on October 3, 2026, (2:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.). Refreshments will also be provided.

Admission

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

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to advocate for 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, showcasing various artistic styles and intriguing artwork. The Museum's artifacts feature 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

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

Gallery Hours

Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Afternoons, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, and any Major Holidays

Museum Hours

Wednesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday Afternoons, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Phone

520-202-3888

Web

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

The Event

Photos from the installation.

Installation

Artist and Artworks

Installation

Quick Sketch in Watercolor (Sep. 2026)

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

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.

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 color's expressive power. 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

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.

The Event

Received an award of merit from the exhibition juror, Fred Somers, for Luminous Landscape.

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 worldwide.

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

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 continually seeks 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 graphic design background and has taught 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 the University of San Francisco. Lordier’s art examines the patterns of nature and how light transforms the mood of an environment. Known for using 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.

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.

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.

Getting Acquainted with Watercolor (Jan. 2026)

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

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.

Open Studio Tour & Art Sale
(2025 Fall)

Will be participating in this event!

You're Invited!

Join us for an open house during the 2025 Open Studio Tour weekend, Nov. 14 -16! Come and see our new classroom, studio, and workspace.

Review by Tucson Pastel Society (TPS)
(Apr. 2025)

Christy Olsen was the guest speaker for last month's Tucson Pastel Society general meeting. She is a noted Tucson pastelist, our vice president, a teacher at the Art Verve Academy, and an engineer. She has a B.A. in Art History and Anthropology and a B.S. in Computer Science.

2025 April Program Review

Review by Ellen Cholski,
Published by Tucson Pastel Society,
Newsletter, April 2025. Vol. 4, p. 2.

Published Newsletter Article

Christy explained the different pastel painting types, which include blended and smooth, broken color techniques, and underpaintings created with alcohol and a brush. Using alcohol with a brush can create a look similar to oil paint.

The ink underpainting process begins with a brayer. You can create random marks on any color of paper, let the ink dry, and then set it aside for later use in planning a pastel painting.

Gel Plates and Botanicals

Ink can be applied over botanicals, household items, or stencils. By using a Gelli plate, with a softer and more yielding surface, you can achieve clearer and more defined images in your ink prints.

Demonstrating ink underpainting with expressive marks

Different brands of ink can provide either a shiny or matte finish when dry, and using various colors of ink adds interest to your work. Your imagination is the only limit, often leading to surprising results.

You can access information about inks and pastels on the Art Verve Education blog website at artverve.info. The Art Verve Academy website at artverve.org has information on classes taught by Christy and other teachers.

Thank you, Christy, for an informative, interesting, and fun program!

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.

Event Date & Time

April 16, 2025 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location

TPS Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

Admission

This event was open to the general public and TPS art guild members. Admission was free.

Guest Speaker & Demonstration
Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Apr. 2025)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

Sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), this event will be held in the TPS Art Center in Tucson, Arizona. I

It's all about the Underpainting!

Combine the spontaneity of drawing, painting, or printmaking using ink in your underpaintings. Underpaintings may be seen in the final piece or covered completely. Join us for an interactive demonstration where we'll use a gel plate, brayer, or brush to create your own unique aesthetics or mark-making, which does not require a lot of expensive materials.

This demonstration will have some materials available for the audience to experiment with throughout the demonstration.

Caught on a Limb.
Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On archival paper. 9x12.

About the Host

Date & Time

April 16, 2025 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location

Tucson Pastel Society Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

Admission

This event was open to the general public and TPS art guild members. Admission was free.

Tucson Desert Art Museum and Four Corners Gallery
(Juried Exhibition & Art Sale 2025)

Seeking New Pastures and Daisies Unite were juried into this museum art gallery exhibition!

Seeking New Pastures.
Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On toned paper. 18x24.

Daisies Unite.
Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On toned paper. 18x24.

Museum Juried Exhibition & Sale

For the spring 2025 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 March 19 and runs until April 26. Jurors selected sixty fine art pieces in the pastel medium, including a wide range of subject matter such as landscape, figure, abstract, and still life.

Website Announcement

Exhibition Dates

This juried art show and sale is open to the general public from Wednesday, March 19, through Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Admission

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

Artist's Reception

The exhibition awards, sponsored by Holbein and Uart, will be announced at the artist's reception on Saturday, March 22, 2025 (12:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.). Refreshments and live entertainment from Christopher Archer will also be provided.

Live Entertainment

Christopher Archer is a professional musician who plays the 4-string plectrum banjo. He prefers to play soft background music with familiar songs from the 1930s through the 1960s. His music career began at age 15, when he won 2nd place in the American Banjo Competition. Since then, he has played everything from Ragtime to Beethoven, headlining shows in Branson, Montana, and spending years as the starring act on Holland America cruises and in stints at Disney World.

About the Host

The Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to advocate afor nd 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

Tony Allain and Jen Evenhus are internationally recognized fine artists and master pastelists.

About the Gallery and Museum

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.

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

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

Gallery Hours

Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, and any Major Holidays

Museum Hours

Wednesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Phone

520-202-3888

Web

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

The Event

Photos from the installation.

Installation

Received first place award from the exhibition juror, Tony Allain, for Daisies Unite..

Installation

Review by Tucson Pastel Society (TPS)
(Dec. 2024)

2024 November Program Review

Written by Ellen Cholski,
Published by the Tucson Pastel Society,
December 2024. p. 2.

PanPastel Colors are a unique and innovative take on the traditional soft pastel medium, offering professional-grade pigments in a convenient pan format akin to a cake-like consistency. These high-quality pastel colors are designed to provide artists with a versatile and user-friendly tool for their creative pursuits.

Christy, an experienced artist and instructor, has shared valuable insights on the many ways these unique pastel pans can be utilized. From using stencils to build up complex backgrounds and layers to seamlessly integrating the PanPastels with traditional stick pastels, the possibilities for artistic expression are vast. The compact, stackable design of the PanPastel pans also makes them a practical choice for artists who need to transport their materials or maintain a well-organized studio space. Overall, the PanPastel Color system offers a fresh and innovative approach to the beloved medium of soft pastels, empowering artists to explore new creative avenues and push the boundaries of their artistic practice. Members were able to experience and play with the PanPastels and papers.

Thank you, Christy, for a great demonstration.

About the Host

Event Date & Time

November 20, 2024 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location

Tucson Pastel Society Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

Cloudscapes in Pastel (Jan. 2025)

Jan. 19, 26 & Feb. 2, Sunday Afternoon at B.Marie's Atelier & Gallery via the Art Verve Academy.

Are you eager to explore the delicate beauty of clouds? Whether you're looking to get started or deepen your understanding of the pastel medium, you'll learn the techniques needed to capture the ever-changing nature of the sky, from soft, wispy clouds to dramatic storm clouds, all in rich, vibrant colors.

Guest Speaker & Demonstration
Tucson Pastel Society (TPS) (Nov. 2024)

Invited to demonstrate and lecture!

This event, sponsored by the Tucson Pastel Society (TPS), will be held at the TPS Art Center in Tucson, Arizona.

PanPastel® Crash Course

Pastel is a medium, used for sketching, drawing, or painting since the Renaissance, not an aesthetic. PanPastel® is the world's first range of pastel colors that can be mixed and applied like paint. They are professional artists' quality soft pastel colors in a unique cake-like or pan format. They may be used by themselves or with the pastel medium.

This demonstration will have PanPastels® available for the audience to experiment with throughout the demonstration. We'll do some mark-making exercises focused on techniques specific to PanPastel® medium and then demonstrate how to use them with regular pastels.

Donatello. 5x7. Pastel and panpastel on paper by Christy Olsen.

About the Host

Event Date & Time

November 20, 2024 (2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location

Tucson Pastel Society Art Center
2447 N. Los Altos Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85705

Admission

This event is open to the general public and TPS art guild members. Admission is free.

Announcement

Getting Acquainted with Pastel (Sep. 2024)

Sep. 14, 21, & 28, Saturday Afternoons at TPS Art Center via the Art Verve Academy.

Pastel is a medium used for sketching, drawing, or painting since the Renaissance, not an aesthetic. It is unique in that you only need a piece of paper to get going. These classes are perfect for those who want to start working with pastels. We'll focus on using the materials to achieve a specific desired outcome or to enhance visual art effects.

Amerind Museum Art Gallery
(Juried Exhibition & Art Sale 2024)

Daisies Unite was juried into the museum art gallery exhibition!

Daisies Unite.
Pastel (dry medium) over ink. On archival paper. 18x24.

Museum Juried Exhibition & Sale

Thirty paintings will be exhibited in the Amerind Museum art gallery and priced for sale. Each fine art piece captures the artist's inspiration, creating an original using the traditional medium of pastels in our modern world. The collection of works will demonstrate the unique beauty of pastel painting, truly revealing "The Power of Pastels." Thirty juried pieces include a wide range of subjects, such as landscape, figure, abstract, and still life.

Dates

June 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024

Admission

This event is open to the general public. Museum admission is required for all dates and times.

Artist's Reception

Saturday, October 5, 2024 (1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m)
Light snacks and refreshments will be served.

Exhibition Invitation

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

Nancie King Mertz is a nationally recognized fine artist and master pastelist who will jury the fine art pastel pieces admitted to this exhibition.

Plein Air Activities

Members of the Tucson Pastel Society will paint from life around the museum grounds before lunch on the day of the reception, and they welcome anyone to watch. If you plan to stay all day, bring lunch. There are no restaurants close by.

About the Gallery and Museum

Explore Amerind, a museum of Native American art, history, culture, archaeology, and Western art. Amerind is an academic research center, museum, art gallery, historic property, scenic destination, and community gathering place where you can learn about Native American history and contemporary life. Indigenous communities share their traditional knowledge with all who visit.

Since 1937, they have been dedicated to preserving and illuminating the cultural objects and traditions of the Native Peoples of the Americas. What began as founder William Shirley Fulton's passion for archaeology grew into decades of research advancements and cross-cultural understanding. Find them online at Amerind.org.

Address

2100 N. Amerind Road,d PO Box 40,
Dragoon, Arizona 85609

Directions

Amerind is located in Cochise County, Arizona, one mile south of I-10, an hour east of Tucson, between Benson and Willcox.
Take Exit #318, Dragoon Road (I-10 to Exit 318)

The Amerind entrance is on the left (just past mile marker 1)
2100 N. Amerind Road, Dragoon, Arizona 85609

Gallery Hours

Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. for lunch each day
Closed: Mondays and any Major Holidays

August 11, 2026

Museum Juried Exhibition & Sale

About the Host

About the Gallery and Museum

The Event

July 1, 2026

Online Juried Exhibition & Art Sale

About the Host

The Event

March 10, 2026

Online Juried Exhibition & Art Sale

About the Host

March 7, 2026

November 27, 2025

September 29, 2025

You're Invited!

April 27, 2025

2025 April Program Review

About the Host

April 2, 2025

It's all about the Underpainting!

About the Host

February 22, 2025

Museum Juried Exhibition & Sale

About the Host

About the Gallery and Museum

The Event

December 7, 2024

2024 November Program Review

About the Host

November 27, 2024

October 23, 2024

PanPastel® Crash Course

About the Host

August 17, 2024

April 18, 2024

Museum Juried Exhibition & Sale

About the Host

About the Gallery and Museum

Exhibitions

Instruction

Publications