The Pastel Society of the West Coast (PSWC) is a thriving community of passionate pastel artists. Established in 1984 with the support of renowned pastelist Albert Handell, PSWC now holds the second-largest membership among pastel societies in the United States. Our mission is to promote the use of pastels through education and competition.

We offer a wide range of workshops, demonstrations, and regional paint-outs and paint-ins across the country. Additionally, we organize two major competitions annually, providing thousands of dollars in awards to exceptional artists. We are dedicated to supporting the next generation of talent by offering scholarships to art students and workshops for our members.

To keep our community informed, we publish a quarterly magazine featuring updates on the society, interviews with pastel artists, art techniques, and details about local, regional, and national pastel events. Join PSWC and become part of a vibrant network of pastelists who are passionate about their craft