Meet-Up and Plein Air Paint-Out at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts

401 Museum Dr. Hagerstown, MD 21740

Sunday, August 23, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm

If you have never visited the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagarstown, it's a real treasure!  

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts (WCMFA) has been recognized as one of the finest small museums in the United States. The Museum serves as a centerpiece in the beautiful historic City Park in Hagarstown, Maryland. There are plenty of lovely views to paint.  

If you don't want to paint outdoors, you are invited to come and tour the museum instead.  There are three current exhibitions that you will surely want to visit, to include artwork of the beloved Alphonse Mucha: Master of Art Nouveau.  

There is no rain date for this event. If the weather is not suitable for plein air painting, we invite you to come anyway to enjoy the museum. Note: You may NOT paint inside the museum, but if you wish to bring a small sketch pad and make sketches (pencil only please), that is ok.

There is plenty of parking and admission is free.

If you are new to plein air painting, limit your kit.  You need to comfortably carry all the supplies you need.  Be sure to clean up after yourself (leave no trace). Also, visitors to the park are likely to stop, observe, and ask questions.  That's part of the plein air experience.  Be gracious with your answers and enjoy the opportunity to share your love of pastels.

Here are some resources you may find useful:

MPS Checklist for Plein Air Painters 

Karen Margulis’ Blog article: Packing for Plein Air with Pastels

Pastel Today article: 11 Tips for Pastel Painting En Plein Air  by Lorenzo Chavez 

Richard McKinley’s tips for pastel painting en plein air

3rd Quarter

Signature Member Applications

Due August 29, 2026

Maryland Pastel Society members in good standing may submit work to be juried for signature member status.  Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis.

Signature member status represents the member's achieving excellence in the use of soft pastel and application of the principles of design.

Guidelines and Standards

Principles of Design are used when evaluating artwork submitted with applications for Signature status. Ensure that you understand all of the guidelines and that your work displays appropriate qualities as described in the MPS Principles of Design. Visit the Member Resources page to download the MPS Principles of Design.

When you are ready to submit your application packet, send it to signature@  marylandpastelsociety.org

Requirements for artwork:

By submitting your application for Signature membership, you attest that the artwork you submit meets all four of the following:

• Was executed primarily (80 % or more) in soft pastel;
• Is of your own original concept and execution, not derived from any published or created images to which you do not hold the copyright;
• Has not been executed in whole or in part in an instructor-led classroom or workshop setting and;
• Was completed within the past three years.

To complete this application, you will need: 

• a one-page resume.

• 5 Digital images of your paintings, their titles & sizes. Images should be of high quality, cropped neatly to show only the paintings. Do not include framing or any distracting background in the image. Size should be reported as Height x Width (H x W) in inches (e.g. 8x10)

Applications will be reviewed at the upcoming MPS Board Meeting. 

Please contact signature @ marylandpastelsociety.org if you have questions.

Key Dates: 

• Workshop: October 14-16 (3 days)
• 20 total registrants
• MPS Member Registration Begins: August 14, 2026
• Non-Member Registration Opens: September 14, 2026

Workshop Description:

Do you want to break free from the restraints of your reference photos and paint boldly and confidently?  

In this workshop we’ll explore the power of  value, color, and composition. Using a variety of techniques, we’ll learn to create vibrant, expressive landscapes with bold mark making - a key to keeping our paintings fresh and dynamic.  

There will be a focus on learning to see color and temperature to create mood in our work and free ourselves from the limits of our references.

Materials List

About the Artist Instructor: 

Kim's landscapes are inspired by the beautiful woods of Washington State where she lives. She plays with light filtering through trees, reflective ponds, and stunning skies. She also enjoys the occasional still life and wildlife painting.  

She is a Master Circle member of the International Association of Pastel Societies and a Signature member of the Northwest Pastel Society. She exhibits regularly around the globe and has won numerous awards. Her work is in private and public collections worldwide, including the Pastel Museum in Saint-Auyale, France.

https://www.kimeshelman.com/about

Details: 

• Cost: $450
• Dates: October 14-16, 2026
• Location: Howard County Arts Council, 8360 Court Ave Ellicott City, MD 21043
• Registration opens for Members 4 weeks before non-members. 

Registration:

• Class size is limited to 20 and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis with priority given to Maryland Pastel Society members.  
• Accommodations, meals, and supplies not included.
• Full payment is required at the time of registration. Multiple payment options are available: credit card or check.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: Completion of the registration form AND receipt of full payment of $450 will place you on the roster.  A confirmation email will be sent to you after your full payment is received.  

Fall General Meeting

Mark your calendars now. Check back later for details.

 Quarter

Signature Member Applications

Due November 28, 2026

Maryland Pastel Society members in good standing may submit work to be juried for signature member status.  Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis.

Signature member status represents the member's achieving excellence in the use of soft pastel and application of the principles of design.

Guidelines and Standards

Principles of Design are used when evaluating artwork submitted with applications for Signature status. Ensure that you understand all of the guidelines and that your work displays appropriate qualities as described in the MPS Principles of Design. Visit the Member Resources page to download the MPS Principles of Design.

When you are ready to submit your application packet, send it to signature@  marylandpastelsociety.org

Requirements for artwork:

By submitting your application for Signature membership, you attest that the artwork you submit meets all four of the following:

• Was executed primarily (80 % or more) in soft pastel;
• Is of your own original concept and execution, not derived from any published or created images to which you do not hold the copyright;
• Has not been executed in whole or in part in an instructor-led classroom or workshop setting and;
• Was completed within the past three years.

To complete this application, you will need: 

• a one-page resume.

• 5 Digital images of your paintings, their titles & sizes. Images should be of high quality, cropped neatly to show only the paintings. Do not include framing or any distracting background in the image. Size should be reported as Height x Width (H x W) in inches (e.g. 8x10)

Applications will be reviewed at the upcoming MPS Board Meeting. 

Please contact signature @ marylandpastelsociety.org if you have questions.