Open call · Sebastopol, CA
Color in Hand: The Art of Soft Pastel
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
You should apply if you work in soft pastel, from anywhere in the world.
About
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, co-sponsoring with the Pastel Society of the West Coast, is jurying a group exhibition devoted to soft pastel, shown in its Sonoma County gallery from January 9 to February 14, 2027. Any subject or style is welcome, from realism to abstraction, but the final surface must be at least 80% soft pastel, with no oil pastel. Artists apply online through CaFÉ with up to three entries. Juror Dug Waggoner, a Pastel Laureate of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, gives a $400 top award, first through third place prizes of $300, $200 and $100, and two $50 coordinator awards. Notifications go out November 20, 2026; shipped work must arrive by December 31. Accepted work must be framed under glass and wired, and sales are split 60/40 in the artist's favor.
Eligibility
Open to artists worldwide. Work must be original, at least 80% soft pastel, made in the last four years, never shown at the SebArts gallery, framed under glass and no wider than four feet.
Applications happen on Sebastopol Center for the Arts's website. Seeke reviews and indexes the listing but does not accept applications.