It is a great honor to announce my election by the Board of Governors as president of Pastel Society of America. Rae Smith, PSA announced her retirement in January from the Board of Governors and the office of president. Also retiring from the Board of Governors is Brenda Tribush, PSA, who served on the board since 1996.

As treasurer of PSA since 2007, I worked closely with Rae concerning all aspects of the administrative and public duties of the president. An announcement about the appointment of the new treasurer will be forthcoming soon.

I am honored to be asked to carry on the traditions initiated by Flora Giffuni, my friend and mentor, who founded PSA forty-one years ago. It will be my pleasure to share my enthusiasm for pastel as a premier and historic medium not only with my fellow PSA members, but with all pastel artists, societies, educators, gallerists, museum professionals, patrons, members of the art writing and publishing world, as well as with the international manufacturers and retailers who provide pastelists around the world with the highest quality pigments.

If any PSA members — especially those who live in or near NYC — have energy left over after a day in the studio and have skill writing, editing, designing a Filemaker Pro database or Excel specialty doing spreadsheets, are a professional grade computer and web maven, or are willing to assist in hanging the Annual exhibition or stuffing envelopes, please drop me an email care of the PSA office. It’s going to take an army of workers to replace the energy and dedication to PSA expended by Rae and Brenda. I look forward to working with each and every one of you.