Scholarships
PPSCC Stone Scholarship
Each year, the PPSCC Stone Scholarship provides funds for qualified PPSCC members to study with an award-winning pastel instructor in a hands-on workshop environment (which may be virtual). The program is available for paid PPSCC members with non-professional status (not yet won any national or international awards, not a signature member of any art society, and not represented by a gallery).
In 2026, we are offering one scholarship to one recipient in the form of one 2-day Masters pastel workshop. The other two recipients will be eligible for a Winter One-Day Workshop (WOW).
Email the completed application form and 5 jpgs of your work to stone.scholarship@ppscc.org by May 8, 2026.
I think the Stone Scholarship is a wonderful boost for emerging pastelists. I was very unsure about even entering when I applied last year. Receiving the scholarship gave me a big boost in confidence about my skills and progress. The workshops that I was able to attend as a result helped me overcome my trepidation about having experts look at my work and give me feedback. The pastelists in our community are very enthusiastic and encouraging and the scholarship helped expose me to more of the wonderful artists that are part of it.
Why apply for the Stone Scholarship? There’s something so inspiring about watching an experienced pastel artist lead you through a subject in their own way. Getting this scholarship introduced me to new materials and ways to see my subject creatively. The workshops are inspiring and a source of encouragement!
With sincere thanks, I am writing to you for awarding me a wonderful opportunity to attend the online workshop with Clint Howard. Clint provided me with additional skills, methods, as well as new ways to view the world around me. I am already inspired and excitedly trying out new skills and practicing! Again, thank you so much for this fantastic opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The workshop that I was awarded as a Stone scholarship from PPSCC was a real mid-winter doldrums pick-me-up for my pastel practice. It was so much fun to be with other pastelists (via zoom) to share experiences while experimenting with new techniques. The personal attention from the instructor was such a confidence booster as well. And to have the excuse and purpose to dedicate a whole day to pastels! What a gift! Thank you, Stone Scholarship.
With respect to the Lana Ballot WOW workshop I attended last spring with the assistance of the scholarship, I found it to be truly beneficial to my art practice.
I am a newer artist and I love pastels. The workshop was a wonderful way to be introduced to techniques I can use to paint ocean/beach scenes.
Lana was fascinating to watch and had a lot to teach us. It was also a way to join with other student artists in this learning process. It was great to see different styles and levels of skill with pastels.
I was very stressed about attending the workshop, but Lana really made the medium and the subject matter approachable no matter the level.
There is plenty to learn for sure about pastels and WOW was a great opportunity for me to grow as an artist.
Click the circles to see more testimonials…
The selection committee will review and select recipients based on potential and interest in participating in a PPSCC workshop.
Recipients will be announced at the “For Pastels Only” Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Questions about this award opportunity may be forwarded to Janet Schwartz, Stone Scholarship Chair,
How Do I Apply?
• Complete application form.
• Submit 5 examples of artwork via email. Work must have been done in the past 2 years, not done under the supervision of an instructor, and must be 80% soft pastel.
• Submit one-page applicant statement explaining why you are applying including your journey as an artist, your aspirations and how you will benefit from a workshop.
Email the completed application form and 5 jpgs of your work to stone.scholarship@ppscc.org with subject= “Stone Scholarship” by May 8, 2026.
Named after the late PPSCC former president and founding member Barbara Stone, this program honors the PPSCC’s interest in encouraging and promoting the development of skills in the pastel medium. The scholarship program was initiated and generously funded by Barbara Stone’s friends and family. Our hope is that this wonderful member benefit will continue for many years, creating an ongoing scholarship fund through future donations and fundraisers.
