IAPS is committed to promoting pastel and honoring those who have achieved notable accomplishments in the pastel medium. Every two years at the IAPS Biennial Convention an awards ceremony is held during the Saturday Night Banquet to honor those artists and volunteers who have achieved award status.
The Master Circle was established in 2004 to honor those artists whose work has been accepted and/or given awards in specific IAPS Exhibitions. Qualifying exhibitions are the annual juried online exhibition and the annual juried physical exhibition. Artists who receive the Master Circle designation may use “IAPS/MC” on websites, brochures, magazine articles and other media to indicate their membership in the Master Circle. For complete information about the Master Circle award, how to qualify and a listing of current members click the link below.
In 2013, a new award level was created for artists who have already achieved the Master Circle status. The Eminent Pastelist designation (IAPS/EP) requires considerably more points to be accrued through acceptance and/or awards in IAPS exhibitions. For complete information about the Eminent Pastelist award, how to qualify and a listing of current members click the link below.
The IAPS Code of Ethics was adopted by the Board of Directors in 2012, as follows:
The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) honors those individuals who have achieved membership in its Master Circle and who have been awarded the distinction of Eminent Pastelist. Achievements such as these are to be respected, and the artists are recognized not only for their paintings but often serve as role models for other artists. The IAPS Masters Circle and Eminent Pastelist designations carry the expectation that those artists so honored will uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. Failure to adhere to this code of ethics by engaging in unfair practices, causing harm to IAPS or its member societies in words or deeds, or the theft of intellectual property, may result in denial or revocation of such membership, at the discretion of the IAPS Board of Directors. It is the goal of IAPS in establishing a code of ethics to continue to promote the medium of pastel by supporting the highest standards of professional conduct for its individual honorees.
International Association of Pastel Societies is dedicated to fostering a global community of pastel artists and advocating for this unique art form.
We bring together pastel societies from around the world, creating a network of shared knowledge, resources, and opportunities.
We showcase the highest standards of pastel artistry through exhibitions and our biennial convention.
We work tirelessly to increase the visibility and recognition of pastel art in globally.
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The cornerstone of IAPS is our commitment to fostering connections and facilitating the exchange of ideas. We believe that by coming together, we can elevate the art of pastel and support each other in our artistic journeys.
Uniting Pastel Societies around the world in support of the fine art of pastel.