Our Artists Continue to Enjoy Plein Air Events - View the Photos
Chanticleer Garden on June 10.
Drexel Lodge Park
There are a few more opportunities to join plein air events.
- August 5 at Maple Acres Farm in Plymouth Meeting, PA
- September 3 at Sugartown Strawberry Farm in Malvern
- The week leading up to October 8th at Newlin Grist Mill in Glen Mills.
Visit the EVENTS section for more information and to sign up!
Spring Meeting Paint‑Around Brings Creativity and Collaboration to the Studio
Our Spring Meeting on April 13 featured a lively and engaging paint‑around session showcasing four PPS Signature Members: Rebecca Denneny, Kathy Apfelbaum, Anne Whalon, and Donna Streisfeld. Each artist began a painting using their own reference photo before the canvases were rotated every 15 minutes to the next easel. As the artworks traveled around the room, each artist added their own vision and technique to a fellow member’s piece.
By the end of the session, the paintings returned to their original creators for final touches—resulting in a collection of unique, collaborative works. The event was filled with energy, laughter, and impressive artistry, and members have already requested more paint‑arounds in the future.
Plein Air Painting Season Begins at Springton Manor
The Philadelphia Pastel Society opened its 2026 plein air season with a beautiful spring outing at Springton Manor on April 22. Once part of a William Penn manor and in continuous agricultural use since the early 1700s, the historic farm offered artists an inspiring mix of barns, stone buildings, sheep and goat sheds, a roost, and grazing animals.
PPS members Kathleen Apfelbaum, Denise Vitollo, Blanche Levitt Torphy, Roe Murray, and Pat Riley spent the day capturing the charm of the landscape in pastel, producing a range of lively and atmospheric studies. The setting’s mix of history, architecture, and working farmland made it an ideal location to launch the Society’s plein air season.
The momentum continues with two upcoming outings: May 13 at Willowbrook Farm and June 10 at Chanticleer Garden.
Contact Kathy Apfelbaum with questions or to join the next outings.
