The Illinois Prairie Pastel Society (IPPS) will present an exhibition of paintings by members at the Springfield Art Association (SAA) March 1-30, with a public reception on Friday, March 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The show will be judged by Aline Ordman, a nationally known pastel artist from Vermont, who will also conduct a three-day workshop for artists in conjunction with her visit. Ribbons will be awarded at the March 15 reception. The exhibit at the Springfield Art Association, 700 N. Fourth St., Springfield, will be open to the public 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays during March.
Betsy Dollar, SAA executive director, says she is amazed by the number of pastelists in central Illinois. She attributes the large number of pastel artists to Sheri Ramsey who has been teaching pastel at the SAA for nearly 40 years.
The IPPS was founded in 2006 by six Springfield pastel artists. Now there are 52 members from throughout central Illinois. Members of the IPPS are eligible to participate in all the exhibit opportunities, which typically average four per year. In a 2013 interview with NPR Illinois, George King, one of the founding members, described what makes pastel painting unique. He explains that it involves painting with pure pigment, a dry medium that is forgiving because one can brush it out and start over. Pastel painting has its origins in the caves of France, where mud and charcoal were used to paint on the cave walls.
IPPS members are also devoted to giving back to the community and sharing their love of art with others. For more than 15 years, the IPPS has created an original work of art for every new family receiving a home built by Habitat for Humanity. Each year there are typically three or four new Habitat houses. The art is a special gift for the families, presented at the dedication ceremony for the new home. "Never have they owned an original piece of art – something that is beautiful and valuable," said Colleen Stone, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County. "Each family is asked what their color scheme is and the art work is made with that color scheme is mind."
King, who was the first IPPS president, started the partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Current IPPS president Rita Williams explains that each painting is created as a group effort with multiple artists contributing to the final painting. One member takes the lead and finds out the interests of the homeowner – a favorite color or scene – and then comes up with the general design. Groups of pastel artists paint together on a regular basis. At these gatherings, multiple individuals add to the painting so that it is a collaborative endeavor. Sheri Ramsey is the IPPS Habitat Coordinator. The IPPS also pays to have the paintings framed. The longstanding partnership is rewarding for both the new homeowners and the pastel artists.
The IPPS welcomes new members. Individuals interested in learning to paint with soft pastels have several options. Mandy Roeing (www.roeingarts.com) teaches at her studio in Bloomington. Tracey Maras ([email protected]) teaches at Tranquility Art Studio in Springfield. Sheri Ramsey teaches an intermediate class at the SAA (217-523-2631) where spring classes begin on March 25. For more information about the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society, go to ipps-il.org.
