Zoom Demonstration - PSA/PANZ: Dawn Emerson - Merging Worlds: Abstraction and Reality

BIG NEWS for PSA & PANZ Members!

Saturday 28 February 2026 10:30am- 12:30pm Brisbane Time (A.E.S.T) / 1.30pm - 3:30pm NZ Time

Dawn Emerson Zoom Demonstration and Painting Competition

We’re thrilled to announce a very special international collaboration — a joint Zoom demonstration with the incredible Dawn Emerson, renowned pastel artist and innovator!

Saturday 28 February 2026

1:30pm - 3:30pm NZ Time

10:30am - 12:30pm Brisbane Time (A.E.S.T)

Exclusive Members-Only Zoom Event + Painting Competition

Join us for “Merging Worlds: Abstraction and Reality”, where Dawn will show how she creates an abstract background with mixed media of water mixable oil, oil pastel, and wax crayon, then “pulls out” a realistic image by adding to and subtracting from that background with PanPastel and stick pastel.

This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading pastel artists — perfect for those who missed her workshops and a valuable refresher for those who attended.

What to Expect

• Approx. 2-hour Zoom session

• 1.5-hour demo by Dawn Emerson

• Optional Members’ Painting Competition with General section & Masters section

• Judging comments will be given only on a short-list of paintings chosen by Dawn, due to the large number expected.

• FREE for all 2026 PSA & PANZ members

• Enjoy the demo and gain some tips from the judging even if you're not entering a painting.

Painting Competition

• Free to enter, but numbers of entries may be capped at 40 General section and 20 Masters’ section,

  Masters section – all those accredited as MPPSA, APPSA, MPANZ, DPANZ.

  General section – other members including GM-PSA, GM-PANZ, A-PANZ.

• One winner in each section receives an art supplies voucher; General section $200 value, Masters’ section $100 value from softpastels.com.au

• Competition entries will open for uploading Wed 11 February to midnight Wed 25 February. 

• One Entry per person, any subject.

• One winner's prize voucher for each section

Important Notes

• PANZ 2026 annual subscription invoices were sent out 31 December — PANZ members please ensure you have renewed before entering the Zoom or competition.

• PSA members should be financial until 30 June 2026.

• A video recording of Dawn's demo will be available at a later date on the PANZ and PSA Members Only website pages.

• An email will be sent to members, with details on how to upload a painting and with a link to join the Zoom. You don’t need to have a Zoom account – the link takes you to the meeting demonstration online.

This exciting collaboration marks the beginning of a new shared initiative between our societies — strengthening connection, creativity, and community across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.We can’t wait to see you there!

👉 [Zoom link will be emailed to all PANZ and PSA members prior to the event.]