IAPS Convention News

Tenth Biennial in 2013

2012-02-23T13:59:00.001-08:00

Posted by Maggie

It already seems like a long time since the 2011 convention in June, but we're looking ahead now to 2013. The convention next year will be our Tenth Biennial, and we have plans for some very special events.

We've finished sorting through the applications for demonstrators for the 2013 convention, and the letters have gone out to the artists who will be teaching at the convention. As IAPS has grown over the years, the number of people who'd like to teach at the convention has also grown. Much as we might like to have them all, space won't allow it, as there are only so many rooms.

We also work hard to balance the subjects and styles of demonstrations and workshops. We reviewed all of the feedback forms people completed at the last convention, and have responded by broadening the subjects that will be taught in 2013. We hope you'll like the lineup! We'll be posting more information about who's doing what as soon as all the contracts come back.

Meanwhile, if you're feeling nostalgic and wishing you could revisit the 2011 convention, we have a deal for you. Our wonderful video expert volunteer, Phil Bates, filmed the Showcase Demonstrations at the convention, and has created DVDs of each of the demos by Albert Handell, Elizabeth Mowry and Richard McKinley. They're available now on the IAPS web site. So if you want to see one or all of the demonstrations again, or for the first time, check them out. (Proceeds to IAPS will be used for improvements at the next convention.) Click here to go to the order page.

As we work towards the opening of the registration for the next convention, we'll be posting updates to this blog on a more regular basis, so we hope you'll check back often for more news.

The Biggest Pastel Party on the Planet

2011-06-17T15:22:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

The Ninth Biennial Convention was a huge success, and generally acclaimed the best convention yet. I've attended every convention, and felt that each was better than the one before, but the Ninth will be hard to beat! (Of course, we'll try to do that!)

We'll be posting reviews, information, and photos soon, and then we'll begin planning the next one. But for now, here's a video with highlights from the 2011 convention, prepared by Phil Bates, who did an outstanding job of coordinating the video projection for the convention.

IAPS 2011 Highlight Reel 2.7 FINAL from Phil Bates on Vimeo.

Audio Visual Monitors Needed

2011-05-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

This year for the first time, in the larger demonstration sessions we will be projecting the image of the artist painting onto a screen, so that viewers can see in detail. We have an IAPS member volunteer who is coordinating this project for us, and he will set up a projector in each room before the class begins.

We need a person in each class to stand by the projector through the demonstration, pause it when the artist takes a break, and just watch to make sure there is no problem. If there should be a problem or malfunction, you will have a cell phone number to call for help. You do not have to move the projector, and you don't need experience in doing this, but you should be reasonably comfortable with technology. The person coordinating the equipment will give you instruction before the class starts.

We would like, if possible, to get the same person to take a morning and afternoon class in the same room on the same day day, so our coordinator only needs to give one set of instructions each morning.

The volunteers gets to watch the demonstration for free. If you have already paid for a class and wish to take on the volunteer position for that class, we will refund you the class price in cash at the convention.

Following are the classes where we need a volunteer; we will assign them in the order requests to volunteer are received.

FRIDAY - morning 10am-1pm
    101 Margaret Evans

SATURDAY - morning 9am-12noon, afternoon 1pm-4pm,
    Morning 201 Fred Somers
    Morning 202 Christine Debrosky
    Afternoon 208 Rae Smith

SUNDAY - morning 9am-12noon, afternoon 1pm-3pm
    Morning 301 Christine Debrosky
    Afternoon 307 Rae Smith

If you'd like to volunteer for one of these, please email.

IAPS Exhibitions: Master Circle and Juried

2011-05-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

On Wednesday, June 1, we hope you'll join us for the Opening Reception of the IAPS Exhibitions: the First Master Circle Exhibition and the 18th Juried Exhibition. The reception will be from 5:00-8:00 pm, and the awards will be announced at 6:00 pm. No information about awards will be given out prior to the reception.

For those of you who will have cars, you can download a map on the IAPS web site; follow the directions and watch for the IAPS banners and signs. The exhibition facility is 6 miles from the hotel; about ten minutes in normal traffic.

For those who do not have transportation but wish to attend, IAPS has arranged for a shuttle company to provide transportation to and from the reception. The cost will be $23 round trip per person (about half the round trip taxi fare); pay the driver as you get on the van and you will be given your return ticket. In order to secure a spot on the shuttle van, there will be a sign-up sheet at the hotel check-in desk at Hotel Albuquerque. Please put your name on the list, indicating which time you wish to depart and return. This will allow us to make sure the shuttle company sends enough vans. If you are not staying at Hotel Albuquerque, you'll need to drop in on Tuesday or early Wednesday and put your name on the list.

The exhibition is open 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 pm daily Thursday through Sunday, June 5. No transportation is arranged during those days. If you would like to volunteer to sit the show (a great way to have time to really look at all the paintings), please email me.

A slide show of work included in the exhibitions is on the IAPS web site.

New Workshop Openings

2011-05-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

A last-minute cancellation has resulted in an opening in the Thursday full-day workshop, "Snow Bound," with Kim Lordier. The class is described as follows:

"Ever wondered how to create the feeling of blinding light bouncing off the snow-laden landscape? Or how to create a moody, softly-lit scene of freshly fallen snow? We will begin with a morning demonstration and discussion on the importance of values in creating mood, composition, and edge control within the scope of a snow scene. Following the demo, each artist will set up and paint for the rest of the day. Kim will address questions, and will respectfully assist at your easel. Please bring photos of snow scenes if available, bright light or low light conditions. Kim will have a small selection to choose from as well."

On-line registration is closed but if you wish to sign up for this class, please send me an email right away.

We also have one space open on Alan Flattmann’s workshop #10 on Sunday, June 5, "Painting Buildings and Structures Outdoors":

"Paint along step-by-step with Alan Flattmann in the morning as he covers the challenges of painting on location within a time restriction and demonstrates his unique layering technique and use of fixative to create rich pastel surfaces. After lunch, the class will continue painting on location with individual help from Alan. Note: Just in case of bad weather, bring a few landscape or cityscape photos to work from indoors."

Please note there is also space in the Desmond O'Hagan pre-convention workshop; see the blog post for more information.

If you wish to book any of these, please send me an email.

Thursday Activities at the Convention

2011-05-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

The IAPS Registration and Information Desk will be open on Thursday, June 2 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and will re-open Friday morning at 7:00 am. Those who are pre-registered may pick up their envelopes of tickets and information—those who are not pre-registered may register at this time. Additional tickets for classes will also be on sale. Some classes are already sold out, but any cancellations will be returned to the desk, so if you are trying to get into a class, do check with us.

Please note: it is usually very busy at the registration desk when we first open as everyone is anxious to pick up their package or to register. To avoid unnecessary crushes, please read the information in your envelope before coming to the desk with questions, as many are answered in the Convention Program. Some people have refunds due to changes, and we have told you to pick this up at the registration desk, but please hold off on this until Friday if possible, to avoid long lines at the desk.

Also please understand that we have a great deal to organize to open at 1:00 pm, so please don’t ask questions of the volunteers who are setting up the registration desk prior to its opening time.

Thursday afternoon events include Canadian Artists Presentation and Meet the Pastel Society of America, both from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, and the Paint Around 4:30 pm-5:30 pm. Full details are in your registration package. No tickets are required for these events, just walk in.

The Welcome Buffet Dinner begins at 6:00 with the opening of the cash bar. The dinner admission is included in your registration fee. Tickets for entry will be in your registration package. Wear your badge and have your ticket ready for collection at the door. The registration desk will be open until 6:00 pm to pick up registration packages. If you get in late and haven’t been able to pick up your envelope, give your name to the IAPS staff at the door; they will have a list of pre-registered people and you will be able to enter.

If you have not pre-registered and arrive after the desk is closed, you may still purchase a basic registration which includes the Buffet Dinner ticket, and then check back on Friday morning to purchase tickets for classes. If you have a non-registered guest and want to take them to the buffet dinner, additional dinner tickets will be for sale at $60 at the IAPS registration desk.

Workshop Opening — Desmond O'Hagan

2011-05-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

We now have two open spots for Desmond O'Hagan's pre-convention workshop, Wednesday and Thursday, June 1 and 2. The workshop is described as follows:

"This workshop is designed to help you reach the next level in your pastel painting. Through daily demonstrations and discussions, Desmond will emphasize composition, developing technique through a more painterly approach, and the importance of values and contrasts. Along with frequent informal talks on a variety of painting topics, there will be hands-on, individual instruction and critiques. Students are encouraged to move out of their “comfort zone” and experiment with new ideas in technique and subject matter."

If you're interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please send me an email.

Advance Registration is Now Closed

2011-05-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

This means you can no longer pre-register online or by mail. You will be able to register at the convention starting at 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 2. All registration fees will be $5 higher on site than the advance registration fees.

For artists living in or near Albuquerque, if you don’t want to attend the whole convention, you can register for one day — Friday, Saturday or Sunday — at $55 per person per day. That entitles you to sign up for any paid classes on the day of your choice, and also to attend any free IAPS sessions offered on the same day.

Registration is not required to attend the Trade Show.

Also as of May 9, you may not make any changes to pre-existing registrations, and from now on, tickets previously purchased for classes are nonrefundable and cannot be changed.

If you have to cancel your attendance at the convention, please advise me by email. As of May 9 cancellation charges will be $50 per registration, and workshops and master classes are nonrefundable, unless we can resell the cancelled spot to another participant, in which case a $25 fee will be deducted from your refund.

Behind the Scenes in Preparation

2011-05-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

April and the first week of May have been very busy in preparation for the Ninth Biennial Convention.

The 36-page Souvenir Program has been completed, proofread many times, and is at the printer. We try to include everything we can think of that might be useful to convention attendees, and to answer as many questions as possible in the program. Each registration packet will include the Program, and we hope you’ll read it and find it helpful.

The Exhibition Catalog also went to the printer. It contains 28 pages of images, all the paintings in the First Master Circle Exhibition and the 18th Juried Exhibition. It’s amazing and wonderful how many ways there are to use pastels to create great art.

The winning image for the Poster Competition was selected and the poster is also at the printer. It’s a surprise—be at the Thursday night Welcome Buffet to find out the winner, and stop by the IAPS booth in the Trade Show to pick up a poster for yourself or for a gift.

Those were the biggest projects, but in addition, the lapel pin design was finalized and the pins ordered, the Golden Mentor plaques were ordered and received, the IAPS aprons were designed and ordered, and the mailing tubes for the posters were ordered and received. The Master Circle Medallions, ordered in early February, arrived and were inspected, and the easels, lights and extension cords for the classrooms were ordered and received.

And then there are endless lists: lists of things yet to do, to purchase, and to take to the convention or the exhibition space. At one point recently I seriously thought I might need to make a list of my lists, so I’d know where to find each one.

Every day, as the convention gets closer, the excitement builds. Our countdown above shows the official opening (June 2) is only 23 days away. Twenty days from today, we get possession of the building where the exhibitions will be held. Then the paintings arrive, the show goes up, and at the same time we check into the hotel, and start the final assembly of everything to be ready for the pre-convention workshops and the opening day. On the one hand, I can’t wait to see everyone; on the other hand, there is still so much to do!

We’ll be posting to this blog frequently now, as new information becomes available, so check back often. See you all very soon!

Only a Few Days Left to Pre-Register!

2011-05-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

Online pre-registration will close Monday, May 9 at 9pm EST, so you have just a few days remaining to register, add classes or banquet tickets or make changes in your class selection. If you miss the deadline, you will need to wait until you get to the convention — the registration desk will open on Thursday, June 2 at 1:00 pm, but we usually have a long line! All on-site registration fees will be $5 higher.

There will be a one day registration fee, available for purchase only at the convention. The fee is $55 per day, for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and will include any free IAPS programs on the day booked, and allows you to sign up for classes offered on the day you booked.

I will be keeping track of any cancellations for pre-convention workshops and master classes, and if a space opens up, I will contact people on the waitlist. So if you would like to be added to a waitlist, email me.

The convention is now less than a month away, so please keep checking this blog because we’ll be adding more important information as we get closer.

Opportunity is Knocking

2011-04-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

A few spaces have opened up on the following classes. To sign up, go onto the IAPS website to the convention pages to "Select Classes," and book it as you did your original registration—but don’t wait, the spots won’t be there for long!

Pre-Convention Workshop #3 with Desmond O’Hagan
Workshop #2 with Clark Mitchell
One-day Pre-Convention Workshop #5 with Doug Dawson
Hands On Demo #304 with Doug Dawson

Remember, I’m keeping waitlists on all workshops, master classes and hands on demonstrations (not on regular demonstrations though). Some waitlists are fairly long, but some classes have nobody on the waitlist at this point, so if you are trying to get into a class, send me an email and I’ll put you on the list. We usually get a few last-minute cancellations, so there’s still a chance you could get a space.

Advance registration closes May 7; if spaces open up after that, you'll be able to sign up when you arrive at the convention and the registration desk opens.

Online Registration Confirmation

2011-04-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

(Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director)

A number of the people who registered for the convention on the IAPS web site were new to registering or making purchases online.

If your online registration process was completed properly, the following should have occurred:
• An email receipt from PayPal confirming your payments

• An email from Susan Webster within a couple of weeks after registration confirming your registration

• The charge from PayPal appeared on your credit card billing

If you have any questions or concerns about whether your registration was completed, the simplest thing to do is to check your credit card billing. If you believe you registered but no charge from PayPal for the correct amount ever appeared on your credit card billing, please contact me right away.

If the charge appeared on your credit card, your registration was complete and there is no need to contact me.

Waiting List for Hotel Reservations

2011-03-31T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Hotel Albuquerque, where the convention is held, is currently fully booked, but they do keep a waiting list. If a cancellation comes in, they contact the people on the list.

As the convention gets closer, it's possible there will be a few cancellations, so if you really want to stay at the main hotel, give them a call and ask to be added to the waiting list.

Rooms are also still available at the Best Western Rio Grande Inn, which is just 2 blocks away, with free shuttle service to and from the convention. Phone numbers and other contact information for both hotels are on the IAPS website.

This Just In...

2011-03-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

Due to some cancellations, one or two spaces have opened up on the following workshops and classes. To book one, go onto the IAPS website to the convention pages to "Select Classes," and book it as you did your original registration—but do it quickly, the spots won’t be there for long!

Workshop #3 with Desmond O’Hagan
Workshop #5 with Doug Dawson
302 – Clark Mitchell demonstration
201 – Fred Somers demonstration

Also we have only a very few spots left in the following, so if you were thinking about adding one of these, don't delay too long, or you may be disappointed!

Workshop #2 with Clark Mitchell
Master Class #1 with Claudia Seymour
203 – Bill Hosner
204 – Hands-On Demonstration with Margaret Evans
208 – Rae Smith
211 – Lorenzo Chavez
Workshop #8 with Margaret Dyer
Workshop #10 with Alan Flattmann
Post-Convention Plein-Air workshop #11 with Margaret Evans

Who Done It?

2011-03-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

Posted by Liz Haywood-Sullivan, IAPS Vice-President

We have a new event called Pastel Pics that we'll introduce at the 2011 Convention. It will not only be a fundraiser for IAPS, but also inject some fun and intrigue into our 4 day conference.

This is how it works. We've invited our IAPS demonstrators and IAPS Master Circle artists to produce and bring a pastel painting, no larger than 8x10, unframed, and....unsigned. These donated paintings will be on display in the IAPS Booth at the Trade Show. Bidding will open when the trade show opens on Friday morning. Bids will start at $100 and will go up increments of $25. Participating artists’ names will be prominently displayed at the booth and also listed in the IAPS Program to allow bidders know who produced the artwork — just not which artist produced which piece.

This should make for a very lively “who done it” and also encourages bidders to bid on the artwork they like, not on an artist's name. At the end of the trade show on Saturday bidding will close and we will ask the artists to sign their work. Those who've bid on art can then find out who has won which painting. Artwork payment and pickup will be on Sunday—the paintings will be wrapped and ready for buyers to carry home. It should be a lot of fun!

Early Registration Reminder and Cancellation Information

2011-03-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan Webster, IAPS Executive Director

I'm the person who coordinates the registrations and classes, and I'm posting a couple of reminders.

Remember that pre-registration will close on Monday, May 9, 2011 both on-line and for mailed registrations. After that date, no registrations, additions or changes can be processed until you get to the convention. Cancellations will still be processed (see below).

So if you haven't yet registered, or if you are thinking about adding classes or buying banquet tickets, we recommend you do it before May 9. That way, you can avoid waiting in line to register at the convention, and fewer classes and demonstrations will be filled.

Once you arrive at the convention and the registration desk opens, you can register in person, but on-site registration fees will be $5 higher than they are before May 9. At the convention, you may also be able to purchase class tickets, based on availability. A limited number of banquet tickets will be available Thursday and Friday.

We certainly hope you won't have to cancel your registration, but if you do, just send me an email and I will process the cancellation. Your payments will be refunded by check, less cancellation fees as shown on the web site. Checks are mailed to you by our Treasurer very promptly. Cancellations will be processed at any time, even after the registration cut-off on May 9. For complete cancellation information, see the IAPS web site.

Round and Round and Round We Go

2011-03-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

One of the most popular events at the IAPS Conventions is the Paint-Around. It's fast-paced and fun, whether you're watching or participating. Painters are selected from among IAPS convention demonstrators and presenters.

This year's painters are, clockwise from top:
Urania Christy Tarbet, IAPS Founder and President Emeritus, moderator of the President's Panel session
Fred Somers, IAPS demonstrator and winner of the Prix de Pastel at the IAPS 2009 Exhibition
Liz Haywood-Sullivan, IAPS Vice-President and Judge of the 18th Juried Exhibition
Maggie Price, IAPS President, also demonstrating in convention classes
Jamie Markle, Publisher of The Pastel Journal and presenter of IAPS sessions and critique

For those attending their first convention, here's how the Paint-Around works. Each artist brings a photo or sketch to work from, and is stationed at an easel with supplies (donated by vendors from the Trade Show) at hand. The Paint-Around Timekeeper, Rich Harris, gives the signal to start, and the artists have ten minutes to start a painting. When the time is up, they put down their pastels and move to the next easel, where they find out what that painting subject is and decide what needs to be done next. After ten minutes, they rotate again, finally ending up on their own starting paintings for the last ten minutes.

All five artists sign all five paintings, and they are auctioned off at the Saturday Banquet. Proceeds go to the IAPS/UCT Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to artists allowing them to attend workshops. These unique paintings have a style that's a meld of the five artists' styles, and are valuable paintings as well as a memory of a great experience.

There will be a few improvements to the presentation this year. First, it will be held in the Franciscan Ballroom (just to the left as you come in the front entrance), which is a lovely, spacious, well-lit room. Second, the painters will be working on an elevated platform, allowing everyone to see over the heads of the crowd. And finally, we're adding a wheelchair and small seating area for those people who cannot stand for an hour.

It's going to be a lot of fun. Join us on Thursday, June 2, at 4:30 pm in the Franciscan Ballroom.

Food and Art

2011-03-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

Today I met with three people whose efforts are crucial to the success of the opening reception for the IAPS exhibitions which will hang during the IAPS convention (the 18th Juried Exhibition and the first Master Circle Exhibition). The reception will be held June 1, from 5-8:00 p.m. It's scheduled for the evening before the official opening of the convention, since we have other events on the following nights.

We have a great facility for the exhibition, the Hispanic Arts Building on the grounds of Expo NM (a/k/a the State Fairgrounds). It's a large, well-lit building, which can accommodate about 140 paintings without double-hanging. The Pastel Society of New Mexico holds its annual exhibition there, as do many other arts organizations in the area. It's just 6.5 miles from the convention hotel, about 12 minutes by car (according to Google maps). The exhibition will remain open through Sunday when the convention ends.

We're excited about the opening reception, and I was even more excited when I saw the menus presented today by Gina Yaker, our Reception Coordinator, and Linda West, who ably assists her with cooking and planning. Planning food for an estimated attendance of 300-500 people is no easy task, and I'm relieved it's in the hands of these pros, who are volunteering their time and energy to make it a great reception.

The third person whose assistance will make this show and reception go smoothly is Mack West, who will be our Facilities Manager. I didn't know we needed a facilities manager until Mack asked if we had one, then began describing the tasks involved. Ordering tables and chairs, climbing ladders to adjust lighting, working with the building owners (the state of New Mexico) to make sure everything is ordered and delivered on time, knowing where circuit breakers are, arranging for a lock box on the door—the list went on and on. I'm so grateful to have his expertise.

These three folks, along with the hanging committee, the check-in people, and the show sitters, all are members of the Pastel Society of New Mexico, who have stepped up to volunteer to help with our show on top of their annual efforts for PSNM.

Where would we be without such great volunteers? Well, we would not have the successful reception and exhibition we're anticipating in June. I'm thanking them here today, and will thank them again and again. When you meet them at the reception or the convention, I hope you'll add your thanks as well.

The 2011 Poster Competition

2011-03-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

The poster competition presented a huge challenge to the jurying committee—how to choose five finalists from all the entries received, when so many were so wonderful? But, there is a more difficult challenge to come, which is choosing one winner!

The finalists are above; left to right (in alphabetical order by artist's last name): Lisa in Pink, by Margaret Dyer; Sunset on the Seine, by Terri Ford; Blue Skies Ahead, by Karen Margulis; Constant Texting Addiction (CTA), by Nancie King Mertz; and Feel the Wind, by Cheri Saffro.

The winner will be revealed at the Welcome Buffet on Thursday evening, June 2, at the convention. Posters will be for sale at the IAPS booth in the Trade Show.

79 Days and Counting

2011-03-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

Posted by Maggie Price, IAPS President

Yes, that's right...only 79 days until the official opening of the Ninth Biennial Convention of the International Association of Pastel Societies. Of course, there's a lot happening before the convention's "official" opening.

People who attend the convention often say they wish it occurred every year, but in fact it takes two years' work to put it together. IAPS is staffed primarily by volunteers, and we all have other jobs (like being an artist!) as well. We start shortly after one convention ends by reading the questionnaires that participants complete at the convention, so that we can find out what worked, what didn't work, and what could be added or changed.

We work with the hotel to make sure everything will go smoothly; since we'll be back at Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town, Albuquerque, in 2011 as we were in 2009, that has been a process of revising and improving our plans.

At the same time, there are numerous ongoing planning projects, such as organizing demonstrators and schedules for the next convention, leading up to the opening of registration. For our 2011 convention, registration opened on September 1, 2010, with the new feature of online registration through our web site. That took months of preparation, but our feedback from users indicate a huge majority liked that process better than the old mail-in registration.

In between conventions, IAPS also sponsors exhibitions, and volunteers handle receiving entries and coordinating details. In 2011, we will have two exhibitions hanging in Albuquerque during the convention, so planning for that has occurred at the same time as the convention planning. (It's not too late to enter the 18th Juried Exhibition—entries are due March 31. Details here.)

While full details of the convention and registration are on the IAPS web site, this blog will serve as a place for announcements, updates, new information, and a behind-the-scenes peek at what's happening and what's going to happen. If you know people who plan to attend the convention, please tell them about this blog, and check back often to see what's new.