The Pikes Peak Pastel Society has been invited to hold their annual members art show at the Commonwheel Artists Co-op in Manitou Springs, Colorado, beginning on June 2, 2023.

The Pikes Peak Pastel Society dates back to 1999 when a group of local Colorado Springs and Pueblo artists began seriously working in pastels under the mentorship and encouragement of Mariya Zvonkovich (a current member of Commonwheel Artists Co-op). PPPS was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit association in 2000 and celebrated 20 years in 2020.

The PPPS Mission is to promote, educate and encourage artistic excellence in soft pastel painting among its members within the community. Educational workshops, painting demonstrations and workshops, plein air paint-outs, field trips to art exhibits and museums are all part of member meetings and special events.

Patti Paiz-Jones' ceramic cacti will be complimenting the PPPS "Colorado Colors" member show with her sculpture show entitled "Belonging."

"Bloom where you are planted." ~ Author Unknown. Upon retiring from my lengthy career in art education, I journeyed across the state to a new environment that felt like a foreign land. The initial shock of such a drastic change left me feeling adrift and alone, yearning for a sense of belonging. Seeking a purpose and creative inspiration, I delved deep into the heart of my new surroundings, and to my amazement, stumbled upon the rugged and resilient beauty of cacti.

These magnificent plants, with their intricate patterns and unwavering strength, spoke to my soul in ways I could not have imagined. They instilled within me a sense of fortitude and tenacity and inspired me to embark on a creative journey of sculpting that would forever tie me to this new home. Every step of the way, the cacti were my guiding light, the driving force behind each and every piece that I brought to life.