Illinois Prairie Pastel Society

01/01/2026

The latest IPPS Newsletter is available!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that you have exciting new paintings in mind for 2026. Thank you for submitting your updates on short notice and in the midst of a busy end to 2025. If you missed the call for artist news, please submit your updates to [email protected] for inclusio...

09/16/2025

Please join us this Sunday, September 21st from 3:00 to 5:00 PM for the opening reception of Pastel Play at the Athens Library!

Refreshments will be served and many of the artists will be in attendance to talk about their work with attendees.

Athens Library is located at 410 E. Hargrave St., Athens, Illinois. The show will be on display through October 8th.

09/04/2025

Mark your calendars for upcoming shows featuring IPPS Member Artists:

September 5th from 5:00 to 8:00 PM: Opening reception for Luminosity featuring IPPS members Catherine Flynn, Tracey Maras, and Mandy Roeing at the Peoria Art Guild (203 Harrison St. Peoria, Illinois). Show runs from September 5th through September 25th.

September 6th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM: Opening reception for Pleiades (Seven Sisters) featuring IPPS members Denise Church, Catherine Flynn, and Sheri Ramsey at the SAA Collective Underground (105 N. 5th St. Springfield, Illinois). Show runs from August 1st through September 25th.

September 21st from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Opening reception for Pastel Play featuring the IPPS at the Athens Public Library (410 E. Hargrave St. Athens, Illinois). Show runs from September 2nd through October 8th.

October 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM: Opening reception for the October National Art Competition featuring IPPS members Tracey Maras and Steve Stoerger at the Madden Art Center (125 N. Water St. Decatur, Illinois). Show runs from October 3rd through October 23rd.

October 4th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM: Opening reception for Natural Forces featuring IPPS member Tracey Maras at the Strawn Art Gallery (331 W. College Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois). Show runs from October 4th through October 26th.

November 8th from 5:30 to 11 PM: Art Synergy featuring IPPS members Tracey Maras and Sheri Ramsey at Paul's Paradise (12250 State Rt. 125, Pleasant Plains, Illinois).

08/17/2025

Not one..not two…but *THREE* IPPS members are featured in this exhibit at the SAA Collective Underground!

View the artwork of Denise Church, Catherine Flynn, and Sheri Ramsey until September 25th.

And stop by the special opening reception on September 6th from 2-4 PM!

08/15/2025

Art by IPPS’ own Tracey Maras

It's easy to long for the end of summer when the temperatures soar and the humidity feels heavy, but we will always miss the fireflies when summer turns to fall. Fireflies have consistently captured human fascination, and the pastel painting "When Fireflies Dance" by Tracey Maras is a perfect illustration of that enchantment.

08/12/2025

IPPS member Barbara Dove recently received the Preston Jackson Art Award from the Heart of Illinois Community Organization on August 6th.

Barbara has served as an Artist in Residence for Decatur schools, developed exhibit opportunities for school age students in the area, co-founded Gallery 510 and served as its Executive Director, helped create Arts in the Parks in Decatur, and was an officer for the Barn Colony.

Congratulations, Barbara, on your well-deserved honor!

08/10/2025

IPPS Member Steve Stoerger was recently featured in an article: https://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/regional-artists-shine-at-parklands-giertz-gallery/

The author says of Steven’s work:

Right on the opposite wall is a piece that I think will get to live rent-free in my mind for a while, though. After the Harvest by Steven Stoerger (featured image) isn’t just a purple dreamscape fashioned with oil paints but a moment that affixes you. With not a soul in sight and an open landscape, you’re left to wonder about much of the story behind the scenes. And yet, if you’re like me, it practically calls to you. “Come. Explore my land and find the secrets the harvest left behind.” It’s evocative in a manner that I don’t think my grasp of language can properly describe.

Congratulations, Steve!

The Around the Block V: Artists From Our Neighborhood exhibition opened last week at the Giertz Gallery at Parkland College. This exhibition features “regional artists, including artists aged 18 and older residing in Champaign County ...

07/18/2025

A great opportunity to take classes from a great pastel artist!

A workshop on the business side of art plus pastel painting classes - Now open for registration! - https://mailchi.mp/18e7f4b77d4d/3-pastel-open-studio-sessions-coming-up-12836300