Pikes Peak Pastel Society
presents
Colorado Serenade
A Member’s Exhibit
We would like to invite all Pikes Peak Pastel Society (PPPS) members to submit their artwork to our Pikes Peak Pastel Society Exhibition: Colorado Serenade. The exhibit begins on March 6, 2026 and ends on March 30, 2026. The Commonwheel Artist Co-Op in Manitou Springs, CO will host the exhibit.
Eligibility
Open to PPPS members who paint using soft pastel. 80% of the top surface of the piece entered must be soft (dry) pastel; no oil pastels will be allowed.
All members may enter up to three pieces. Each member is guaranteed to have at least one piece hung in the show. PPPS jurors have the final decision on selection and hanging. Artists may not remove paintings during the exhibit. Works juried into the show and not delivered for the exhibit will prohibit the artist’s entry in future PPPS sponsored exhibits for two years.
We recommend that paintings be no larger than 25 inches wide by 36 inches high (including frame). However, note that most of the traffic in Commonwheel consists of tourists who are likely to purchase works that will fit into suitcases, so smaller works are encouraged. Very small works will be displayed on easels on tabletops in the gallery space. Paintings or prints for sale in a bin (not on the wall) located in the gallery must be submitted in a mat and enclosed in a tight-fitting bag (either plastic or glassine). Printed note cards may be entered for the table display. No nudes, giclée prints, or digital artwork will be accepted.
Artwork does not have to have mats. However, if the artwork is matted, all mats must be neutral colors; no colored mats allowed.
Artwork must be ready to hang, framed, pre-wired, and presented in a professional manner (no saw-tooth hangers).
Fees
Entry fees are $10 (plus paypal fee) per PPPS Member for up to 3 paintings. Each PPPS artist who enters paintings will be represented in the show with at least one piece.
Rules
All entries must be for sale. Payment will be made directly by the buyer to Commonwheel. Commonwheel will take a 40% commission from the sale and remit the remainder to the artist. Each artist will be required to sign an artist agreement with Commonwheel and sign and submit an IRS Form W-9 prior to having art displayed. The Gallery Agreement and W-9 must be submitted in hard copy to Commonwheel by January 20, 2026. DO NOT EMAIL THESE DOCUMENTS.
Download W-9 Form. Download Gallery Agreement.
Mail to: Commonwheel Artists Co-Op, 102 Canon Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829.
Artists may price their piece as they wish, however, Commonwheel reports that pieces priced at $600 or less sell better.
Artists may not enter any painting created under instruction such as in a workshop, either live or online, or in private lessons, or mentorship. Artists may not enter any painting that has been critiqued by a professional artist. (For purposes of this agreement, a “professional artist” is one who makes their living from selling art or one who shows their art in a commercial gallery.)
Artwork must be original – no work copied from published work, copyrighted images or photos taken by anyone other than the artist without permission. For this exhibition, artists may use any photograph as a reference for their painting as long as they have permission from the photographer to use such photo. Upon request by PPPS, the artist will show evidence of such approval.
Judge and Prizes
Our judge will be Kim Costello, owner of Academy Art and Frame. Only original, framed paintings will be eligible to be judged in the show; no prints or cards will be included in the judging of the show. The show will be judged in two categories: Emerging and Established artists. See Enter below for definitions.
The Judge will select at least a Best in Show, First and Second Place in each of the two categories. Prizes will be named later.
Enter
Enter your artwork by filling out the form below, selecting an image and uploading it. You must fill out the form for each image you are entering. You do not have to enter all three of your images at once. You can come back to this page at any time to fill out the form and upload your images, but you must fill out the form for each entry.
Emerging artists are defined as PPPS members who have never won a prize in a PPPS juried show. Established artists are defined as PPPS members who have won a prize at some time in the past in a PPPS show, including: Best in Show, First, Second or Third place, honorable mention, or a sponsor prize.
Do not include the frame in the uploaded image.
Dates to Remember:
Opening date for submitting work online: December 26, 2025
Deadline for submitting W-9s and Gallery Agreements: January 20, 2026
Closing date for submitting work: February 10, 2026
Deadline to submit artwork description onto Commonwheel’s data system: February 24, 2026
Delivery of artwork: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 2pm – 6pm. Deliver to Commonwheel Artists Co-Op, 102 Canon Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
All submitted entries must be securely labeled on the back (top) with: artist’s name, artwork title, price, phone, and size (including frame).
Artists’ Opening Reception: Friday March 6, 2026, 5-8 pm
Exhibition Opens: Friday, March 6, 2026
Exhibition Hours: Daily 10-6
Exhibition closes: Monday, March 30
Pick up art work: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 10:00 am – Noon
There will be a $10/ day storage fee for artwork not picked up at this time.
Disclaimer/Legal
Pikes Peak Pastel Society reserves the right to use images of entries for publicity with credits to the artist.
Great care is taken to protect the artwork, but please note that the artist assumes the risk of loss or damage to the artwork while the artwork is in the custody of the Pikes Peak Pastel Society or Commonwheel Artist Co-Op. The artist is responsible for making such insurance arrangements as the artist deems appropriate.