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Congratulations 2025 Dakota Pastels Year-End Contest Finalists!

Congratulations to the 2025 Dakota Pastel Contest Winners! And a round of applause for all who participated. Our jurors understand the path well: the artistic journey is one of vulnerability, experimentation, and growth. It takes a great deal of courage to put yourself out there, and for each award, there are a tremendous number of paintings equally deserving of recognition. Consider yourself a pastel artist among peers!

This is our 6th year hosting this competition. This year, we noticed many artists sought out subjects that are familiar, warm, and calm - portraits of beloved friends and contemplative scenes. In a year that called us to be alert and adapt to turbulence around every corner, this is a comforting reminder that what matters most will almost always be right within reach.

A Big Thanks to our team of Jurors for the 2025 Contest: Margaret Dyer, Michael Freeman, Clarence A. Porter, and Lyn Asselta.  We recognize the time and effort it takes to view so many entries and the difficulty of making the final selections. Your thoughtfulness and professionalism in jurying each Quarter and the Final Winners is appreciated.

 

ESTABLISHED ARTIST WINNERS

 
FIRST PLACE
Christine Swann
Braid
SECOND PLACE
Darcie Roberts
Take My Breath Away
THIRD PLACE
Sarah Blumenschein
Still Life with a Red Scarf
FOURTH PLACE
Connie Reilly
Waiting
       
 
FIFTH PLACE
Christine Obers
Tudor
FIFTH PLACE
Daniel Keys
Roses, Carnations and Teacup
FIFTH PLACE
John DeSpain
Fire and Ice
 
       

ESTABLISHED 1st $2000
Braid: Christine Swann

ESTABLISHED 2nd $1200
Take My Breath Away: Darcie Roberts

ESTABLISHED 3rd $800
Still Life with a Red Scarf: Sarah Blumenschein

ESTABLISHED 4th $500
Waiting: Connie Reilly

ESTABLISHED 5th $250
Tudor: Christine Obers

ESTABLISHED 5th $250
Roses, Carnations and Teacup: Daniel Keys

ESTABLISHED 5th $250
Fire and Ice: John DeSpain

       

EMERGING ARTIST WINNERS

       
FIRST PLACE
Caryn Stromberg
Languor
SECOND PLACE
Teresa Mason
Good Boy!
THIRD PLACE
Kim Fortin
Venus
FOURTH PLACE
Joyce Shelton
Winter Springs Waterway
       
 
FIFTH PLACE
Lindy Blosser
The Deep End
FIFTH PLACE
Cindy Wojdyla
The Stream
FIFTH PLACE
Alan Chaney
Winter Reflection
 
       

EMERGING 1st $1000
Languor: Caryn Stromberg

EMERGING 2nd $600
Good Boy!: Teresa Mason

EMERGING 3rd $400
Venus: Kim Fortin

EMERGING 4th $300
Winter Springs Waterway: Joyce Shelton

EMERGING 5th $150
The Deep End: Lindy Blosser

EMERGING 5th $150
The Stream: Cindy Wojdyla

EMERGING 5th $150
Winter Reflection: Alan Chaney