Over 30 artists will exhibit their different styles of painting with pastels as part of The Art at The Damariscotta River Grill series. Opening on Tuesday, March 13, this exhibition was open to members of the Pastel Painters of Maine. Monetary awards will be presented during the  opening reception on Wednesday, March 14, from 4-5:30 p.m.  All artwork is for sale and will be exhibited through May 1.

This year’s judge, Anne Heywood, has received numerous awards and honors, and is the author/illustrator of Pastel Made Easy, published by Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City.  Join us for a lively evening, complemented with delicious appetizers by Chef Rick Hirsch.

Pastel is powdered pigment rolled into round or square sticks and held together with methylcellulose, a non-greasy binder. It can be either blended with finger and stump or left with visible strokes and lines. Generally, the ground is toned paper, but sanded boards and canvas are also popular. If the ground is covered completely with pastel, the work is considered a pastel painting; a pastel sketch shows much of the ground. When protected by fixative and glass, pastel is the most permanent of all media because it never cracks, darkens, or yellows.

The Pastel Society of Maine, originally established in 1999 as the Pastel Painters of Maine, promotes public awareness of pastels and creates a network for local and regional pastel artists. It offers a scholarship each year to a worthy high school student interested in the arts. Other activities include paint-outs, paint-ins, retreats, workshops and exhibitions.

Damariscotta River Grill is located at 155 Main St., Damariscotta. For more information, contact Kim Traina at jumpstartcreative@gmail.com