2017 PSST officers & chairs
interview december 2016

Pastel, as a fine art medium, is in a renaissance period. With its beauty and longevity, artists use its wide range of colors and textures to create masterful works of art that will stand through generations. Collectors and galleries, however, still maintain a resistance to pastel.
  To this, the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas asked its 2017 incoming officers and committee chairs for their insight into promotion and marketing. They responded with positive and thought-provoking answers.

PSST Question No. 1:  It is the goal of PSST to make more people aware of PSST and pastel in general. What do you feel we could do to accomplish this?

Painting by Erme Waddell

Erme Waddell, Secretary
I think a small, regularly-appearing PSST ad in the pastel publications, and in perhaps one or two of the artist magazines that address all mediums would be desirable. Even certain area magazines (such as Houstonia) might be a venue to pick up new artists in the area.
   I also think that, because we are a generally localized organization, I would like to see us be able to to do artist pastel demos in more of the art leagues in and around southeast Texas (I am so impressed with the many talented pastelists in our group who are wonderful teachers, as well!). We all know there are "unaware pastelists" out there just waiting to be found! I know, personally, how exciting discovering the beauty of pastels is, when other mediums have lacked!
   I am very pleased at how PSST has grown in these last few years, and am excited about the society's future!

Solitary Fisherman, Pastel, Carolina Dalmas

Carolina Dalmas, Chair, Members Only Exhibition
I think, in order to make more people aware of PSST and pastel in general, we can offer demos at the different Art leagues or guilds. Also promote PSST and the beauty of pastels at the Lone Star Art Guild (LSAG) convention, maybe having a display there.
  Also reach out to high school art students and teachers, since those will be the artists of the future, maybe having a High School Students Only art competition.

I Wonder, Pastel, Carolyn Hancock

Carolyn Hancock, Chair, Website
A paint-around! What fun it was at IAPS to watch the artists paint over another's vision of a scene and then finish on their own, all timed, all bringing tremendous personality to the event. Using a paint-around as an entre to schools and business organizations, as well as to other art groups-- what a boost for pastel!

Painting by Kathie Skelton

Kathie Skelton, Chair Communication and Social Media
I think we need more public outreach such as demonstrations at museums, offer workshops from our members to certain  public venues where it is very economical for the participants, be a presence at certain art festivals (tables with information and art work on display and for sale from our members).  All these mean more member participation in these activities.

Painting by Kouida Putnam

Kouida Putnam, 1st VP/Membership
The PSST would benefit from branching out from one form of electronic media to multiple avenues. If we add an Instagram and a Twitter account, we can reach more artists and can create hashtags for people to follow.
  In order to grow our society, we need to have a range of ages, a range of experience with pastels, and a wider range of participants in all our offerings. Instagram and Twitter will help us showcase individual member's works, as well as publicize upcoming meetings and competitions, as well as workshops. Artists like Karen Margulis have an  Instagram account where she details her work in stages.

Lynda Hughes painting Santa

Lynda Hughes, Treasurer
I think we should get more involved with other art organizations and
get to know their artists.

Painting by Anne Maree Healey

Anne Maree Healey, President
Get out into local communities and demonstrate.  Go to libraries, make ourselves available to local art societies, make ourselves available to groups who invite speakers to attend, have an open studio in your area with other local artists, write an article for a local newspaper and (bonus) feature your own work of course!  Teach, run workshops, volunteer at a local retirement home to offer an introduction to pastels workshop or session.  Go plein air painting - that always attracts interest, especially if on a local street or in a local park.  Now I need to make time available!  But all I want to do is get in front of my easel an paint!

PSST Question No. 2:  Marketing and Branding are hot topics. How do you suggest we learn and promote this for our members?

Painting by Carolyn Hancock

Carolyn Hancock, Chair, Website

Mini-workshops for members on how to design and create your own website, an indispensable tool for artists. 
  A bring-your-lunch round table discussion after monthly meeting with specific topics, for example, what is branding? how do I create a logo? how can I best use social media, and which ones? etc.

Painting by Kathie Skelton

thie Skelton, Communication/Social Media

I believe we are doing an above average job with our website in promoting our members and our organization.  We are working on our new logo and redesigning our web page.  I think our members need to post their artwork on the website more frequently (a few members are doing this already).  As in any successful organization, participation is critical.  I urge our members to become active on the webpage, within our organization and support each others' endeavors.

Painting by Sunny McKinnon

 Sunny McKinnon, Chair, Newsletter

Marketing and branding are definitely essential for any artist who wants to sell artwork. However, both are difficult and time-consuming tasks, and also, not much fun. For me, it is helpful to learn what strategies are successful for other artists, so perhaps we could have a round table discussion at one of the meetings.  
  Another suggestion would be to recruit an advertising or marketing professional to speak at a meeting. Or even, we could host a separate meeting with a panel of three or four professionals speaking to the issue.

Painting by Anne Maree Healey

And December 2016 closes with an answer to the marketing question by Anne Maree Healey, 2017 President, that encapsulates everything:

There are so many ways to self-promote.  PSST can do more to help it's members post on facebook, create websites, enter local shows, create local paint outs or paint ins.   Lessons in writing press releases, bios and artist's statements.  Learn Pinterest, or another images posting site.  

Hmmm, why don't we run a workshop and invite a professional along and make it affordable for our members too!   Who's interested in that suggestion:  me, definitely me!