About Us
Sam Mateer, Founding Chair, serving 1988 - 2010
The Pastel Society of Ireland was formed in 1988 by a group of dedicated pastel painting artists, chaired by Founding Member Sam Mateer, who felt that there was need to provide a forum where pastelists could meet to discuss and promote the highly individual art of pastel painting.
The society aims to encourage and promote the art and practice of pastel painting throughout Ireland by bringing together artists with a wide range of approaches to this special medium, including other dry media - charcoal, graphite and coloured pencils, so that their skills and crafts may be shared and enjoyed.
The Annual Exhibition, open to all members of the Society is usually held in the Autumn - Our next smaller exhibition will be in spring 2025 at the Oriel Gallery, Antrim Castle Gardens - date to be confirmed. The Next Annual Exhibition will be in September 2025 at the Millenium Court in Portadown.
Our AGM takes place in spring. New members are invited to apply for selection through our secretary, Patricia Mooney. Artworks will be considered for inclusion into the society by the selection panel after the AGM and candidates will be notified of the decision soon there after.
Sorrel Wills - current Chair, elected April 2024.
Current Committee
Office bearers
Chairperson - Sorrel Wills
Secretary - Patricia Mooney
Treasurer - Patricia Burgess
Social Media - Julie Wilson
Other Committee Members
Catherine McKeever
Anthony Haughey
A word from our Chairperson….
Sorrel is delighted to have been invited to become Chairperson this spring.
“I am so looking forward to further promoting all art in pastel and dry media in the future of the Pastel Society of Ireland. There is such an amazing collection of talent in the Society, that I can’t wait to see what we show in our next exhibitions. Workshops will be coming soon, too.”