AGG Artists Shine at the 2026 IAPS Convention
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Often called "the biggest Pastel Party on the planet," the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Convention is the event every pastel artist circles on their calendar—and this year, Art Group Gallery was proud to be right in the middle of it.
“The biggest Pastel Party on the planet.”
Three of our talented partners—Shirley Anderson, Susan Hurst, and Clarence Cash—traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend the 2026 IAPS Convention, held June 16 to 21 at the historic Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. They returned home with stories, inspiration, and—as you'll read below—some truly remarkable honors.
A Global Gathering of Pastel Artists
IAPS is the world's leading organization devoted to the art of pastel, uniting dozens of pastel societies and thousands of artists under one shared passion. Its biennial convention is the centerpiece of the pastel world, and Albuquerque has become its spiritual home—the city has hosted more IAPS conventions than anywhere else, earning a reputation as a global center for the medium.
This year's gathering lived up to its billing. More than 650 artists registered for the event, traveling from across the United States and Canada as well as from Russia, France, Italy, Romania, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, the Philippines, and China. Few art events anywhere bring together such a truly international community under one roof.
Five Days of Art, Learning, and Celebration
The convention is as much a celebration as it is an education. Over five packed days, attendees immersed themselves in everything the pastel world has to offer:
- A juried Exhibition of 175 paintings, showcasing some of the finest pastel work being created today
- Workshops led by master artists, offering hands-on instruction and fresh techniques
- Live demonstrations—including popular "dueling demos" and gallery walk-throughs—where attendees could watch top artists work in real time
- Dinners, meet-ups, and an honors banquet that brought the entire community together to celebrate achievement and friendship
For our artists, it was a rare and energizing chance to learn from the best in the world, connect with peers across continents, and recharge their own creative practice.
A Proud Night for Art Group Gallery
This year's convention was especially meaningful for our gallery, thanks to two extraordinary honors.
We are thrilled to share that Shirley Anderson was installed as President of IAPS—a tremendous distinction and a testament to her leadership, dedication, and standing within the international pastel community. To lead an organization of this scope and global reach is a remarkable achievement, and we couldn't be prouder to call her one of our own.
Adding to the celebration, Susan Hurst received her Master Circle Medallion, one of IAPS's most prestigious recognitions. The Master Circle honor, established in 2004, recognizes artists whose work has been repeatedly accepted into IAPS's juried exhibitions. Each recipient is presented with a three-inch medallion—designed by IAPS founder Urania Christy Tarbet and featuring a rose alongside a pastel stick, symbolizing the renaissance of pastel as a celebrated medium. It is a true career milestone, earned only through sustained excellence.
And the recognition didn't stop there: both Shirley and Susan had paintings accepted into the juried Exhibition, placing their work alongside the world's leading pastel artists.
A Celebration to Remember
We couldn't be prouder of Shirley, Susan, and Clarence for representing Art Group Gallery on such a distinguished international stage. Their passion, talent, and commitment to their craft continue to inspire everyone around them—and their achievements this year reflect the spirit of creativity and excellence at the heart of our gallery.
Congratulations to our artists on a truly memorable week. We can't wait to see how this experience shapes the beautiful work still to come.
Want to see their work in person? Visit us at Art Group Gallery to experience the artistry of Shirley Anderson, Susan Hurst, Clarence Cash, and all of our talented members.
Meet the Artists
Get to know the three Art Group Gallery members who represented us in Albuquerque:
