western slope meetings

We have two groups of artists that meet regularly, one on the Front Range (Denver) and one on the Western Slope (Grand Junction). Both share friendships, information on pastel supplies, demos, and methods to promote sales.

Upcoming Meetings in Grand Junction, CO

The West Slope Pastelists meet the months of September through May. Meetings are not held during the summer months of June, July and September.
The meetings are typically held on the third Saturday of the month except in December when we hold a holiday party earlier in the month. A short business meeting begins at 1:00pm, followed by a demo or educational activity, and concludes around 3pm. We meet at the Bray Education Center at 640 Belford Avenue in Grand Junction. 

For additional information please contact Claudia Crowell at Crowell.claudia@gmail.com. We hope to see you at our meetings!

March 2026 Western Slope Meeting

DATE: Saturday, March 21, 2026

TIME: 1:00 PM

LOCATION: Bray Education Center at 640 Belford Avenue in Grand Junction

Carole Katchen Demo “ For the Birds” 

Denver artist, Carole Katchen began her art career in Colorado in the 1970s. At that time it was a bastion of realistic painting, but even there, her work was unique. She avoided nostalgic depiction of cowboys and the old west. She wanted to focus instead on emotional reality of people living their lives. Her compositions are precisely organized for maximum balance and eye movement. She has received the Master Pastelist designation from Pastel Society of America. Her two books on pastel painting are considered classic. She has written a total of 15 art instruction books on a wide range of subjects, published in French, German, Dutch, Chinese and English. She has lectured on art in universities from California to Shanghai. 

March 21, 2026
April 2026 Western Slope Meeting

DATE: Saturday, April 18, 2026

TIME: 1:00 PM

LOCATION: The Art Center in Grand Junction, 1803 North 7th Street

DEMO ARTIST: Matt Jones, Curator of the Art Center

At the April meeting, Western Slope pastelists will enjoy a lecture entitled “Impressionism is Not French,” by Matt Jones, curator at the Art Center of Western Colorado.

Please note the change in location for this event: Art Center, 1803 North 7th Street, Grand Junction. (We will not meet at the Bray Education Center this month.)
This lecture will focus on the formal and intellectual artistic movements that inspired some of the most iconic paintings from the period of 1872-1890. The Impressionist style can be explained through an examination of Dutch and Japanese aesthetics that form its visual appeal.

Matt Jones was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and grew up working in the sign industry. Matt’s found his love for ceramics when he met Grand Junction artist and sculptor Damian Radice. After a three-year apprenticeship with Damian, Matt enrolled in Colorado Mesa University’s bachelor of fine arts program, where he was mentored by Jake Allee and KyoungHwa Oh.
Matt is currently the curator at the Art Center of Western Colorado and also teaches commercial typography at Colorado Mesa University in the Graphic Design program. He and his wife, Ashtonn Means, opened By All Means Art pottery studio in Fruita, Colorado, at the new Fruita Arts Recreation Marketplace (FARM) in 2022.
Any questions on the meeting can be directed to Claudia Crowell at Crowell.claudia@gmail.com or 970.201.0336. Please join us!

April 18, 2026
    May 2026 Western Slope Meeting

    WEST SLOPE PASTELISTS … PLEASE NOTE THIS MEETING DATE CHANGE!

    The May meeting of the West Slope Pastelists has been changed from May 16 to May 9. Please note this change! The previously scheduled plein air paint-out and picnic will be held on May 9 at Miracle Rock Park on Glade Park as well as a plein air demo by Barbara Churchley. Details will follow as the date approaches.

    DATE: Saturday, May 9, 2026

    TIME: TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER

    LOCATION: Miracle Rock Park on Glade Park

    ACTIVITY: Plein Air Painting and Picnic

    May 9, 2026

      2026 PSC Board Meetings

      Finance Committee (2nd Wednesday of the month)
      7:00pm; 1/14, 3/11, 5/13, 9/9, 11/11.

      Board Meeting (Wednesday following Finance Committee Meetings)
      7:00pm; 1/21, 3/18, 5/20, 9/16, 11/18.


      Zoom link for all 2026 Board Meetings:
      https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7028846325?pwd=dlVBZlJTTUtNbTV4dVNqaG1VcjA4dz09&omn=82694580919