IAPS is committed to promoting pastel and honoring those who have achieved notable accomplishments in the pastel medium.

IAPS MASTER CIRCLE

The Master Circle was established in 2004 to honor those artists whose work has been accepted and/or given awards in specific IAPS Exhibitions. This includes annual Juried Exhibitions, and in the past has included IAPS Convention Catalogue Cover Contests, the 2009 Calendar competition and the 2011 Poster Competition (one point awarded to the winner of that competition). (See upcoming IAPS exhibitions for future entry possibilities.) Artists who receive the Master Circle designation may use the letters “IAPS MC” on websites, brochures, magazine articles and other media to indicate their membership in the Master Circle. click the link at right for full information about the Master Circle and a listing of current members.

IAPS EMINENT PASTELIST

In 2012, a new award level was created for artists who have already achieved the Master Circle status. The Eminent Pastelist designation (IAPS EP) requires considerably more points to be accrued through acceptance and/or awards in IAPS exhibitions.

GOLDEN MENTOR

The IAPS Golden Mentor Award is an honor presented to outstanding individuals who have contributed to the growth of artists and the medium of pastel. These individuals have given unselfishly of their time, created vast opportunities otherwise unobtainable, and have assisted artists in various ways to obtain their artistic goals.

THE IAPS CODE OF ETHICS

The IAPS Code of Ethics was adopted by the Board of Directors in 2012, as follows:

The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) honors those individuals who have achieved membership in its Master Circle and who have been awarded the distinction of Eminent Pastelist. Achievements such as these are to be respected, and the artists are recognized not only for their paintings but often serve as role models for other artists. The IAPS Masters Circle and Eminent Pastelist designations carry the expectation that those artists so honored will uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. Failure to adhere to this code of ethics by engaging in unfair practices, causing harm to IAPS or its member societies in words or deeds, or the theft of intellectual property, may result in denial or revocation of such membership, at the discretion of the IAPS Board of Directors. It is the goal of IAPS in establishing a code of ethics to continue to promote the medium of pastel by supporting the highest standards of professional conduct for its individual honorees.