Exhibitions

Northern Indiana Pastel Society 20th Anniversary Exhibit
May 23–July 12, 2026
Crowley Community Gallery
South Bend Museum of Art

Reception with awards: First Friday, June 5, 5-8 p.m. (with “Around the Bend” exhibit)
Releasing from exhibit: Monday, July 13. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Museum hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday

120 South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., South Bend

The exhibit features 37 works by 34 pastel society members

Jurors: Bill Tourtillotte, art faculty at Indiana Univ. South Bend, and Julie Tourtillotte, art faculty at Saint Mary’s College

At the June 5 Exhibition Reception, awards were presented to

Upcoming Exhibitions

Call for Entries:

Northern Indiana Pastel Society 20^th Anniversary Exhibit, Chapter Two
August 4- 29, 2026
Heartland Art Center, Historic Firehouse Gallery
220 N. Center St., Plymouth, Ind.,
Deliver work: Sunday, August 2. 1–3 p.m.
Reception, awards and releasing of art: Saturday, August 29, 1-3 p.m.
Hospitality by Heartland. Members are invited to bring appetizers and desserts also.
Gallery hours: Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Click here for details and entry form.

Fernwood Botanical Gardens, Niles, Mich.
February 19 to May 2, 2027
Reception February 21.

MoonTree Studios, Donaldson, Ind.
September, October and November 2027

Roti Roti Art Center, Buchanan, Mich., 2028

Upcoming Events

Northern Indiana Pastel Society will participate again in the Nature in the Arts event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 at Lydick Bog. Members can work in pastel or paint, sketch, photograph or join art projects hosted by South Bend Museum of Art. Families and guests are welcome. Cathy McCormick will do a demonstration of landscape painting in pastel again. It is a chance to create connections between art and nature. Learn more at
https://heinzetrust.org/nature-in-the-arts/

Please let me know that you are planning to attend. Cathy McCormick, camccorm@aol.com

Recent Events

Northern Indiana Pastel Society Meeting
Saturday March 28, 2026

Brandon Davis Jennings told how studying Albert Handell’s paintings has helped him improve his own art. He focused on a few of Handell’s works that helped him to develop form and depth with shadows. Several of Brandon’s studies were included in the slide presentation.

He has found Handell’s book, Intuitive Light: An Emotional Approach to Capturing the Illusion of Value, Form, Color, and Space to be especially useful, and much of the language used to discuss shadows will be based on Handell’s statements in the book itself.

Brandon Davis Jennings PhD is an artist, author, and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from West Virginia. His art and writing often explores military themes.

He won a judge’s award in the recent NIPS exhibit at Colfax Cultural Center for his pastel of a service member. He won a juror’s award at the SBMA student/faculty show, and his painting “I’m Not Touching You” is on display at the ALOFT show in downtown South Bend.

Holiday Potluck Luncheon | December 12, 2025

A great chance for NIPs members to celebrate the season!

Over 30 members and guests enjoyed conversation, a delicious potluck meal and the opportunity to share our common enthusiasm for all things pastel! Members donated books for a book exchange and everyone received a gift of Great American pastel samples.

Thanks to all who worked hard to organize the event, especially Dee Thornton!

It was great to see recent artwork completed by members.

NIPS member Susie Piper created and donated a wreath adorned with pastel supplies, which was won in a drawing by Beth Hamilton.

Recent Exhibitions

Northern Indiana Pastel Society
Members’ Exhibit: Self Portraits and Other Personal Visions
Friday, September 12 – Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Colfax Cultural Center
914 Lincolnway West South Bend, IN 46616

29 works by 18 artists, on view in the Robert Seifert Gallery.
Award recipients include Dan Slattery, Mary Firtl, Brandon Davis Jennings, and Liz Kuntz.

Inspirations: Northern Indiana Pastel Society Members’ Exhibition

March 21 – June 1, 2025
Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, Michigan

Featuring 46 works by 26 members of the Northern Indiana Pastel SocietyPrize judge: Katie Neece, Curator of Education and Studio Programs, South Bend Museum of Art.

Award Winners:

Diann Nelson,” Rhythm of the Beach Path”

Recent NIPS Events

Several NIPS Members participated in this event on August 2, 2025

NIPS President Cathy McCormick offered a presentation on the art of pastel.

NIPS Member Mary Firtl capturing the scene

March 2025 NIPS Meeting

South Bend native, Elizabeth Kuntz, an intuitive fine artist working mainly in pastel, discussed her inspiration, her process and the journey behind it, and the healing power of art. Liz’s pastel, “Five Medicine Beings” won an award in our NIPS exhibit at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan, September-October 2024.

Events & Exhibitions