THE ReMARK November 2026
“Drawn to Colour”
The Annual Pastel Society Exhibition 2027
Non-members submission date; 20 November at 12 noon.
Members submission date; 27 November at 12 noon.
Dear Reader,
You will be glad to read that my remarks are being streamlined! Whether this month or next, here are
the headlines and for those who wish to know more, the rest follows.
PS 2027 DRAWN to COLOUR now three weeks long!
We remember Louise Diggle, a member & friend.
A busy November; The Catalogue, The Studio & The Selection Process
We are delighted, honoured & excited to again be given three weeks for our annual exhibition, running from Wednesday 27 January to Saturday 13 February. In whatever capacity you get involved, get these dates in the diary and we will see you there.
This news was dampened last month by the news that our fellow member and friend, Louise Diggle, has succumbed to a long-term illness. We will celebrate her work and others we have also lost over the last twelve months at our exhibition but for those who may like to go, there is a memorial service for her in St. Luke’s Church, Chelsea SW3 6NH at 3pm on Saturday 21 November.
November is a busy month for us all, whether finishing and submitting those masterpieces, finalising the catalogue and ensuring we have a full programme of events in The Studio. Effective communication is essential for this and again I would say that in whatever capacity you are part of this, please come forward, ask questions and be ensure you get the most out of it. You may be a member; you may be a prospective member; you may be an artist who wants to get more involved or a friend, without a conversation to organise specific events or cater for specific groups we are left to do what we do. This is not a problem but working on ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get,’ please contact me and we can make
your experience even better.
And then for those affected by it, the most exciting, nerve-wracking process filled with highs and lows. Over one week, our selection committee will individually select non-members’ work, approximately 130 out of all that we received, based on narrative, composition, technical skill, tone, colour, and that X factor that is difficult to describe. Once tabulated, highest to lowest, we meet as a group to finalise the selection. With knowledge of the number of members’ works that we have, that final number usually comes down to ‘how much will the gallery accommodate without detracting from the exhibition.’ We take it very seriously because we have all been there, whether accepted or rejected. But I have
grudgingly accepted that with challenges, difficulty and failure comes a real sense of achievement and pride in what we all do. Feel unhappy for a time if you are not chosen, that is how it should be, but please do not give up. President Lincoln was defeated so many times and see where it got him!
Remember, both ourselves, The FBA and the Mall Galleries are run as charities. We ALL supply the support in a multitude of ways and that makes this possible. We all want an enjoyable and productive experience, especially in those early grey months of 2027.
Good painting
Simon B. Hodges PPS
info.thepastelsociety@gmail.com