Membership Information and Application

Annual dues are payable in January of each year for all members.  A reminder is sent yearly by email and posted on the Homepage of the Society.
*If you are a new member and join in Oct/Nov/Dec, you will not need to renew in January of the next year.*

Please read the Application Process "before" paying your dues.
 

Application Process

Submit your name, address, phone # and category that you are applying for to
membership @oilpastelsociety.com. Please include your method of payment.
Applications can be made by snail mail, but all membership benefits are online. Newsletters are not mailed.

Associate Membership

All artists using oil pastels in their work are welcome to join the Society at this level. Associate membership is not a juried level.

Associate dues ($20) must be paid with your application. Dues can be paid by check in U.S. funds, U.S. Postal Money Order, International Money
Order, and thru PayPal (see link above). The mailing address for dues is Oil Pastel Society, PO Box 990D, Darien, GA 31305. Checks and money orders should be made out to: Oil Pastel Society and payable in U.S.funds.

Professional Membership

The Professional level of membership is to recognize artists who have achieved a high degree of professionalism in their work.  The images submitted for review should demonstrate a mature style and a consistency of vision in one’s approach.  Regardless of style or subject matter, the artist should show a confident handling of the oil pastel media with a strong command of composition, values and color.

You will need to pay dues after the panel has sent notification of their decision in the amount of $30 (U.S.funds). When the dues have been received, your gallery page will be added to the site. PayPal is available for international payments. If you are already an Associate member, you should provide five new images for the panel's review based on the above criteria. The balance of $10 for that year's membership level can be paid after the jury's decision is made.

Please note the submission guidelines for bio and images in the Associate Category above.

Signature Membership

Signature Membership, and the ability to add the O.P.S. initials after the artist signature, will be the achievement by an artist in reaching a level of excellence, both in their artistic creativity and in the use of oil pastels as a fine art medium.  Professional members whose dues are up-to-date are eligible to apply.  Jurying for Signature Membership will be by a panel selected from the current Signature members. A Professional member may apply for Signature membership at any time during the year. A high standard will be set for the Signature applicant - a shown level of professionalism with the oil pastel medium, current show or gallery participation, strong participation and support of the Oil Pastel Society, and a shown desire to further oil pastels as a fine art medium.

How to Apply for Signature Membership

• Submit five (5) images of most current work by email or on CD. Size of images should not exceed 700 pixels either in length or width.
  Images smaller than 700 pixels will not be accepted. Your image files should be titled with your last name and title of work. NO spaces, or characters should be used in your file names. You may use capital letters. For example - HardyLandscapeRemembered.jpg

• Image files must be in jpg format. Do not send images directly from your camera! Please resize them and remove all area except for the painting image. No framing or background will be allowed. Images that are not named correctly or that contain background will be returned.

• Images should be submitted by email to membership@oilpastelsociety.com with all information within the body of the email.

• No jury fee

• A payment of $10 will be due if the panel approves your application.  US Money Order or International Money Order or Bank Draft in U.S. funds. PayPal is also available for payment. This is your additional dues for Signature membership.

• Include a statement that the submitted images are your own original work. (see the criteria below)

• Mailing address and payment address for USPS and Paypal are listed above.

All manner of subjects and styles may be submitted.  All artwork submitted must be original and not copied from any other artist, published materials, or photographs which you do not have permission to use as reference. All artwork should be done completely by yourself, not in a workshop or the presence of a teacher. If using an underpainting, the surface must be predominantly oil pastel.

The quality of the artwork on all five images should be equal. Poor quality on one can effect the jury process for all of your images.

You will be notified of the panel's decision as soon as possible by email. The panel process can take several weeks depending on the schedules of the jurors.

When paying by PalPal, please include your name with the payment! An email address doesn't always let us know who is making the payment!

PayPal is available for all applicants. You will need to enter the $amount that you are paying and choose to pay with an existing account or choose to pay without an account. You do not have to set up a PayPal account to use PayPal. Please enter your name on the payment information so there is no difficulty knowing who the payment is for! If you have any questions, please contact membership @ oilpastelsociety.com.

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