faqs

 Board positions are elected for one term, by member vote at the April Membership Meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor prior to the vote, by the membership. The newly elected officers will assume their role in September. Meet our current board in the "Our Current Board" section below.

As a Section 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, we observe a set of bylaws by which our organization will conduct its affairs.   

CTPS is an arts organization and, as such, will occasionally engage businesses with which to partner or to obtain goods and services. For that reason CTPS observes a conflict of interest policy. 

On occasion, CTPS may be gifted goods and services. To follow consistent and ethical policies regarding acceptance or non-acceptance of those gifts, the organization has a "Gift Acceptance Policy". 

CTPS will experience changes in Board positions and any committees necessary to run the organization. Due to that constant change, there is a need for consistent policies on retention of documentation. 

Please view the most frequently asked questions regarding our organization in the  FAQs section above.

Jane Copeland
I have been involved in creative endeavors all my life including various crafts,  glass blowing and ceramics, and as a child, a most memorable Christmas present was a Jon Gnagy Learn To Draw set. But I didn't start painting until 2012, when a friend introduced me to pastels. I have delighted in demonstrations and workshops by favorite pastel artists, most notably Margaret Dyer, who awakened in me a fascination with the human figure. I love capturing gesture, and telling a story. 

Debbie Pridgeon

Since a young age, I have had a passion and fascination with faces whether on people or animals. I began drawing and painting in oils as a child then studied art in college and also received a math teaching degree.  After raising my family, I was fortunate to arrange private lessons with internationally known artist Augustine Ludovico and developed my love for pastel and watercolor.  Although I draw inspiration from my travels and living on a sailboat for 18 years, I believe my best work has been unposed portraits. I try to capture that brief special moment when we are having fun, loving life, and discovering the world.

Cynthia Bsaibes

I began my painting career at 50, when I entered a postcard painting contest.  My paintings didn’t win any awards, but two were sold.  Back then I was using watercolor.  A few years later I took a workshop with Frankie Johnson, a local artist in Lake Zurich, Illinois.  She demonstrated how to combine watercolor and pastel.  This experience got me hooked on pastels.  These days, I paint most often with pastels, but I do enjoy playing with mixed media. I paint what brings me joy.  Therefore, many of my paintings are of nature, flowers, and birds.

Jan Frazier
Art has been the driving force of my life since I was a child. I began my formal training at the University of Kentucky where I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Art Education. A short while later I moved to Austin, Texas, where I began pursuing art as a full-time professioin. Read more: http://www.janfrazierart.com

Julia Fletcher

 I can’t remember not drawing or painting in some manner. My debut was on my bed's headboard with a very sharp pencil. When I was in the third grade my Mom placed me in oil painting lessons. To fuel my passion she said. I graduated from the University of Texas-Austin with a BFA in Studio Art. Initially, I went the pottery direction. Life interrupts and I was an educator for 28  years. Upon retirement I tried, and loved, pastels. I love painting Texas; other States too, but always Texas.  

Therese McHugh

My artistic journey began with success: I won the "color the Space Needle on a paper bag" contest at Albertsons grocery and was awarded a book of Seattle World Fair tickets! When I began college, I always "squeezed in" art classes whenever I could, and had the very good fortune to study for three years with Tom Sherwood of Bellingham, Washington, in a classical life drawing setting. When I discovered pastels several years ago, I immediately loved the hands-on vibrant pigments. Participating in the Central Texas Pastel Society has been educational, inspiring and fun.