100th Annual Juried Exhibition
February 28, 2025 to September 14, 2025
This exhibition is exclusively for PSA members.
Venue: Pasadena Museum of History 470 West Walnut Pasadena, CA
Artwork Take-in:
Blinn House Dining room, 160 North Oakland Avenue in Pasadena, CA 91101
The dining room entrance is off the free parking located behind the Blinn House off Madison Avenue.
Juror: Michael Obermeyer, see juror information below
This is a two part entry procedure using the Smartsheet entry form and a live in-person artwork take-in and jury process.
Artwork selection to take place at the Blinn House Dining Room
starting Friday, September 27.
Important Notice: You will need to provide a printed copy of the artist’s statement with the actual artwork when submitting to the live take-in. No statement may result in juror not selecting your artwork.
Exhibition Schedule:
Artwork Online Take-in: Sunday, September 8 to Sunday, September 15, 2024
In-Person take-in: Friday, September 27, 10am to 12 noon
Jury Process and Award Selection: Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28.
Artwork Photography: Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 9am to 1pm.
Artwork pick up: Sunday, September 29, 1:30pm to 4:30 pm
Exhibition Opens: February 28 or March 1, 2025 as determined by museum
Artwork Drop-off at museum: Saturday February 22, 2025 or Sunday, June 1 or later to be determined by museum
Artist’s Receptions: Multiple receptions to be determined
by museum and PSA
Exhibition Closes: Sunday, September 14, 2025
Artwork Pick-up: June 2 - 6, 2025 and September 15, 2025 or later date.
Artwork Take-in: This is a digital and live take-in using Smartsheet entry forms, one form for each entry. The take-in opens Sunday, September 8 and closes Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Awards: Three (3) Awards of Merit, Three (3) Honorable Mention Awards, the McBride Landscape Award, Additional awards to be determined by the PSA Board of Directors and/or the Pasadena Museum of History.
Entry Requirements: All media & subject matter, family friendly please, NO SIZE Restrictions Limit of four (4) pieces. All Exhibition Policies and Standards will be strictly enforced, 3D artists may need to provide their own display stands for gallery exhibition.
Please review the Exhibition Policies and Standards before preparing your artwork. This important document can be found on the PSA website under the “Members Only” drop down menu, the “Exhibitions-Members Only Info” heading, then Downloads “Exhibition Guidelines”.
Artist’s Statement directly related to each submitted artwork: 60 words minimum to 100 words maximum. Statements longer than 100 words or less than 60 words will be returned to artist for rewrite to fit required word counts. Statement word counts will be strictly enforced.
Digital Image Requirements:
One (1) digital image of each artwork. plain background requested. no frames on 2D art.
Accepted digital image file format: JPG
File Size: 2MB minimum
Image Resolution: 150 PPI or similar in pixel count
Images to be in focus, no reflections. Image of artwork should fill viewfinder/cell phone screen without distortion.
These image files are a visual reference for the exhibition committee only. As noted elsewhere, all selected artwork will be photographed by PSA for use in the catalog, online catalog, various social media sites and visual presentations by PSA and/or the museum.
When using a cell phone camera select the largest file size possible.
Questions about digital requirements? Please contact Larry Rodgers at Exhibitions@PasadenaSocietyofArtists.org or 626-802-7142 for more information.
Entry Procedure: Have these files and info available when you fill out the Smartsheet online entry form: artist’s statement, digital image(s), media, overall artwork size without frame, price, contact info and link to website. Follow instructions on the Smartsheet form to submit statements and images. It is strongly recommended that a larger screen be used like a tablet, laptop or desktop computer. The larger screen will make it much easier to complete the entry form properly.
To ensure the proper credit for the artist, please follow the requested image file naming convention.
Very important!!! Make a paper copy of each completed Smartsheet entry form. You will need this copy of the Smartsheet entry form for your records showing the exhibition history of the related artwork.
Check “Send me a copy of my responses” which will be emailed to you.
Finally, scroll to the very end of the form, and hit the “SUBMIT” button.
Submit your entries (up to 4). An email with the Smartsheet entry form link will be sent out prior to Friday, September 6, 2024.
Installation: Installation will be managed by joint cooperation between the museum and the PSA installation team
Gallery Artwork Pick-up: September 15, 2025 or later date determined by museum
Artist’s Receptions: To be determined by museum and PSA
Reception Hospitality: To be determined by the musem and PSA at later date.
Entry Fees: $20.00 for entry #1, $10.00 each for entries #2, #3, #4 (4 entries = $50.00) plus a donation of 10% (or more) of gross sales to PSA. Entry fees may be paid via PAYPAL on PSA website or cash or check when dropping off artwork at museum. Member dues must be paid to participate in this exhibition.
Pasadena Museum of History Commission: to be announced later
Volunteer Request: Volunteers are needed for every aspect of the exhibition.
Installation assistance at the gallery, 4-5 volunteers
Come join the Exhibition Committee and have fun helping out.
Juror Information: A native of Southern California, Michael Obermeyer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration at California State University, Long Beach. A twenty year career in illustration included works for Disney Studios, the Anaheim Angels, McDonnell Douglas, Coldwell Banker, and the United States Air Force. Because of his illustration background, he is equally comfortable with the landscape and the figure. Many of his paintings are in the U.S. Air Force Historical Art Collection in the Smithsonian Institute and the Pentagon.
Michael was awarded the “Best of Show Award” at the 25th Annual Laguna Beach Invitational Plein Air Competition in 2023 and was presented with the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2015. He recently won the "Collector's Choice,” “Artist’s Choice” and the “Director’s Choice” Awards at the Laguna Beach Invitational as well as the "Best of Show" at both the Kern County Plein Air Invitational and the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, the Gold Medal at the Carmel Art Festival and the “Irvine Museum Award” at the California Art Club’s 107th Gold Medal Exhibition. Collectors include the Marriott Hotels and Resorts, The Irvine Company, Hoag Hospital, Disney Resorts, California State Parks and many corporate as well as private commissions.
Michael is the President of the prestigious California Art Club, and is a Signature Member of the California Art Club and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.
Currently, his paintings are showing at galleries in Carmel, Pasadena, Balboa Island, Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach, where he is a regular exhibitor at the Festival of Arts.
Judging Criteria:
1 Compelling — An irresistible visual impact. It’s memorable. Often hard to put into words. You can watch people walk up to it. They are drawn to it like a magnet. You say, “I keep coming back to this. There is something about this piece.”
2 Craftsmanship — Drawing, values, skill of the medium, paint handling, presentation. You say, “This is really well done. It reads right. It’s painted beautifully.”
3 Composition — The unity of a painting. The whole impression. Design, balance, movement, rhythm. It’s thoughtful, not accidental. You say, “This works together as a whole. Everything is in the right place.”
4 Color — Not just bright color, but color harmony. Color relationships. Color balance. It can be subdued color or strong color. The effect of light permeating a piece. You say, “I like the color; it feels right.”
5 Creativity — Not common. A unique perspective or voice. Outstanding — stands out from other works. You say, “I haven’t seen this before.”
6 Capture — Truth is presented. Not photographic, but real. You feel something. Capturing the light. You say, “This really captured that moment. It’s like I’m there in the scene.”
7 Challenge — This piece takes on and overcomes the challenges of painting outside. Weather, fleeting light effects, simplifying dizzying chaos, and dealing with dubs, bystanders, and blustery wind. You say, “How did they paint this outside? I’d like to hear the story of this painting.”
Exhibition Chair: Lawrence D. Rodgers
Email: Exhibitions@PasadenaSocietyofArtists.org
Lawrence D. Rodgers Vice President Exhibitions
Pasadena Society of Artists
Tel: 626-802-7142 Email: LawrenceDRodgers@gmail.com
