Renaissance in Pastel

Overview

The Renaissance in Pastel is the 33rd Annual National Exhibition open to all artists residing in the United States working in soft pastel medium. Submissions are through ShowSubmit.com only.

Key Dates

• Submissions Open: Monday, June 15, 2026
• Entry Deadline: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• Acceptance Notification: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
• Shipped Work Arrival Deadline: Friday, October 30, 2026
• Hand Delivery: Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8, 10am–5pm
• Judging: Thursday, November 12, 2026
• Show Opens to Public: Friday, November 13, 2026
• Opening Reception and Awards Presentation: Sunday, November 22, 2–4pm
• Last Day of Show: Friday, January 1, 2027
• Artwork Pick Up: Saturday & Sunday, January 2 & 3, 2027

Eligibility

Open to all artists residing in the United States working in soft pastel medium. Work must be at least 80% soft pastel, completed within the past three years, and original (not copied from works or photographs by others, nor done in classroom/workshop/under instructor supervision). No AI-generated work permitted. No work painted over AI-created or mechanical reproductions. No collage or cut pieces of pastel paper allowed.

Work Requirements

Work must be securely and professionally framed under glass or plexiglass, ready to hang with screw eyes and wire (no sawtooth hangers). Mats must be white or off-white only (no colored mats). Size limit is 28 inches in either direction, including frame. Work cannot use any varnish or finish except traditional pastel fixative. All work must be for sale; no POR or NFS allowed.

Ineligible Work

Work that won an award at IAPS, PSA, or any other national/international open juried Pastel Society Exhibit. Work accepted into a national/international open juried Pastel Society Exhibit running concurrently with Renaissance. Work exhibited in a former Connecticut Pastel Society Exhibit. Work that has won an award in a Pastel Society Member Exhibit or in an all-mediums exhibit (such as Allied Artists of America, Salmagundi, or AAPL) IS eligible.

Entry Fees

• Non-Members: $55 for up to 3 digital images
• Members: $45 for up to 3 digital images (2026 dues must be paid)
• Shipped work: additional $30.00 shipping & handling fee (check made out to LAA)
• Entry fees must be paid online by credit card at time of submission; non-refundable
• Up to 3 images may be submitted, but only one painting may be accepted

How to Submit

All entries must be submitted through ShowSubmit.com. Provide a high-quality, level, cropped image of the painting only. Save as jpg without enhancements. Incorrectly labeled or incorrectly sized work will be disqualified.

Delivery Instructions

Accepted artists will receive notification by Wednesday, September 23, 2026, along with an exhibition label and shipping instructions. The label must be affixed to the back center of the painting. Hand-delivered work must be dropped off Saturday or Sunday, November 7 & 8, 2026, between 10am and 5pm at Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371. Shipped work must arrive by Friday, October 30, 2026. The painting submitted must be identical to the accepted JPEG; no substitutions. Artists who do not pick up work may be charged a $10 per week storage fee starting 30 days after exhibition end.

Sales and Commission

All sales transactions are handled by Lyme Art Association. A 30% commission is taken on all sales; the artist receives 70% of the sale price. LAA collects and pays Connecticut sales tax on sales.

Contact

Connecticut Pastel Society / Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371. Phone: 860-434-7802. Email: [email protected]. Visit lymeartassociation.org for gallery hours.