Artists working in pastel and contemporary dry media are invited to submit their work for the Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2027!
https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/open-calls/pastel-society
From pastel and pencil to charcoal, crayon, chalk and beyond, our 128th Annual Exhibition will celebrate one of the five essential components of contemporary painting and drawing: colour.
Artists are invited to explore how colour can unite us through a shared language of expression, celebrating the possibilities of pastel, dry, and mixed media.
We welcome works in pastel and other dry media, from black and white to every shade in between. Whether bold or subtle, light or dark, playful or contemplative, we encourage you to be confident in your mark-making. Draw, paint and discover your own language of colour!
The exhibition offers several prizes and awards, worth over £5,000! This includes The Caran d’Ache Prize of £1,000, and the Yoshimoto Prize of £1,000 awarded to an outstanding work submitted through the open call!
Prizes & Awards
The Pastel Society would like to thank the individuals and companies who generously support and award the following prizes:
Cash Prizes:
The Caran D’Ache Prize
£1000 for the best work in the exhibition as selected by Caran D’Ache
The Pastel Society Prize
£1000 for the best work by a member in the exhibition, selected by The Pastel Society and donated by Caran D’Ache
The Yoshimoto Prize
£1000 for outstanding work in any dry medium by a non-member
The President’s Prize
£500 for the best work by an artist aged 35 or under selected by The Society.
The Bob Last Prize
£400 for a work that celebrates the spirit of Bob Last PS who was known for his passion, innovation & drawing skills. Selected and Joanne Last and Jackie Jones.
The Anthony J. Lester Memorial Award
£100 for a work that reflects Anthony’s original character. Donated by The Pastel Society.
The PS Royal Drawing School Award
Sponsored by the Pastel Society for outstanding work submitted by The RDS
Product Prizes:
The Unison Member Award
The Unison Non-member Award
The Unison Young Artist Award
The Caran D’Ache Product Prize
Daler-Rowney Member Award
Art materials from Daler-Rowney and their associate companies.
Daler-Rowney Non-Member Award
Art materials from Daler-Rowney and their associate companies.
Frank Herring Award
Henri Roche Award
Mamut Award
Pith Sketchbook Award
UART Award
West Design Award
Publication Prizes
The Pastel Society Catalogue Awards
The two winning works illustrated in the exhibition catalogue
The Artist Magazine Award
Post Exhibition Prizes
The Visitors’ Choice Award
For a non-member’s work. A set of Caran D’Ache pastel pencils.
The Studio Award
A £100 Cass Art E-Gift Card for two works in pastel or dry media undertaken in The Studio. Selected and sponsored by Simon Hodges.
The Pastel Society – Member of the Federation of British Artists
For more information about the Federation of British Artists please view the promotional video.
View The Magic of Pastel
View In Conversation with Carole Hubscher CEO of Caran d’Ache
FBA Fundraiser – FBA Editions
Prints for a Cause
Limited Edition Prints from the Federation of British Artists
View the full range of prints available
Pastel Society Members Tanya Avchinnikova and Ian Rawling are featured.
