About The Art

The Pastel Society of America’s (PSA) 53rd Annual Exhibition will showcase a remarkable selection of its worldwide membership’s most accomplished works in the pastel medium.

The Butler Institute of American Art will once again feature works from the annual Pastel Society of America’s “Enduring Brilliance” exhibition, held annually at the National Arts Club in New York City. This year’s exhibit in Youngstown will feature 31 paintings selected by the Butler Director Emeritus, Dr. Louis A. Zona, for display in the Museum’s Flora B. Giffuni Gallery of American Pastels from March 8 to May 3, 2026. Among the works included is Splish Splash by esteemed artist Vic Mastis.

Dr. Zona chose the works in this exhibition from the larger exhibition shown in New York. These are the best of the best. Dr. Zona said: “No matter the level of difficulty of the challenge, these pastel artists can apply the medium to meet the challenge of probably the most difficult media within the world of art. This pastel exhibition at the Butler hit a home run.”

The Pastel Society of America (PSA), founded in 1972 by Flora B. Giffuni, is the oldest pastel society in America. It is largely responsible for the current renaissance of pastels in American art. The society’s annual exhibition at The National Arts Club in New York is the premier event for pastel artists worldwide.

In 2004, the Flora B. Giffuni Gallery of American Pastels was established at the Butler thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Giffuni. It is the only museum gallery in the U.S. devoted exclusively to works in the pastel medium, and its creation was a “lifelong dream come true” for her. The gallery offers exhibitions by accomplished pastel artists, group shows from the Pastel Society of America and displays of works from the Butler’s prestigious collection.

Learn more here: www.pastelsocietyofamerica.org

CATEGORIES: Exhibition

DATE: March 8, 2026 - May 3, 2026

LOCATION: Giffuni Gallery