The Pastel Painters of Maine are holding their 15th International Juried Exhibition through June 14 at the Saco Museum, 371 Main St.

The exhibit features work from 90 artists representing 14 states. Among them are Claudette Gamache and Christine Bodnar.

Gamache spent her career as a registered nurse, then later became a registered art therapist who spent years combining creative arts with modern medicine to help her clients and staff decrease stress, reduce pain and encourage wellness. Her paintings hang in private and corporate collections across the country. She teaches workshops in Maine and is a mentor for the MFA program at Heartwood College of Art in Kennebunk.

Bodnar is a Boston-based pastelist who does most of her painting on the southern shores of Massachusetts.

“Coastal landscapes always seem to present a new challenge with their constant change of chromatic schemes and seasonal personalities. There is always a different translation or version of these native offerings,” Bodnar says in her artist statement.

The exhibition “for pastels only” has been an annual event since 2000, with nationally known pastel artists serving as jurors, judging for awards, conducting workshops and presenting public demonstrations.

This year’s juror is Elizabeth Mowry, a master pastelist and Hall of Fame honoree of the Pastel Society of America. She will offer a demonstration on June 14 at the museum.

The mission of the PPOM is to promote art and art education for youth. For more information about the group or the exhibition, go to: pastelpaintersofmaine.com.


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