Kristin Divers PSA-MP
Born and raised in southwest Pennsylvania, Kristin has spent most of her life with Pittsburgh as her home base. She studied studio art, psychology, education, and art therapy in both undergrad and graduate school.
Kristin has been working for several years as a professional pastel artist. She has been an award-recipient in international pastel exhibits, and has had several solo gallery shows. She has been designated a Master Pastelist by the Pastel Society of America. Her work has been exhibited at The Butler Institute of American Art, in Youngstown, Ohio. She is a past Executive Governor of the Pastel Society of America, based in Manhattan.
Artist Statement
My art is an exploration of people and the places they live, serve, work, or play; where they gather to build relationships, or retreat to for respite. I seek to connect viewers to similar environments and communities within their own life experiences, and to the emotions that correspond with these people and places. I also seek to show viewers a slice of other people's life experiences, in order to enrich their imagination or abilities to empathize.
My current body of work portrays American industry, specifically the steel industry. I have been escorted through, and able to photograph, the interiors of steel mills and steel workers across our country’s heartland. I hope to show not only the drama, but also the beauty, found within this American subculture.
I work in pastel. Pastel is very tactile. I love the feel of working directly with the colors, without even a brush in between. Working with a pastel stick gives you the feel of drawing, but with the added excitement of expressive colors, complex layers, and textures that can only come with painting.
—Kristin Divers
Representation
Mark Rengers Gallery - Sewickley, Pennsylvania
Harrison Center - Indianapolis, Indiana
Professional Affiliations
Governors Emeritus Advisory Board, Pastel Society of America
Pastel Society of America, designated Master Pastelist
Pittsburgh Society of Artists
Portrait Society of America
America Impressionists Society
Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League
Awards
2023 PanPastel Award Pastel Society of America’s 51st Annual Exhibition, “Enduring Brilliance!”
2021 Bill Creevy Award for Pastel Innovation Pastel Society of America’s 49th Annual Exhibition, “Enduring Brilliance!”
2019 Marge Levine Memorial Award for Creative Innovation - Pastel Society of America's 47th Annual Exhibition, "Enduring Brilliance;" National Arts Club, Gramercy Park, New York, NY
2016 Pastel Journal Award - Pastel Society of America's 44th Annual Exhibition, "Enduring Brilliance"; National Arts Club, Gramercy Park, New York, NY
2017 Honorable Mention Award - "Martinis With Monet" Group Exhibit; Cranberry Artsits Network; Cranberry, PA
2017 Merit Award - "Pure Pigment" ; Pittsburgh Pastel Artists League Members' Show; Artsmiths, Pittsburgh, PA
Selected Exhibitions
December, 2023 Small Works Exhibition Mark Rengers Gallery, Sewickley, PA
September/October, 2023 Allied Artists of America 110th Exhibition, The Butler Institute of American Art September 2023 - September 2024, Online - www.alliedartistsofamerica.org
September, 2023 Pastel Society of America 51st Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance! Online Exhibition
October, 2022 Pittsburgh Society of Artists 56th Annual Exhibition Third Street Gallery, Carnegie, PA
September, 2022 Pastel Society of America 50th Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance! National Arts Club; New York, NY
September, 2021 Pastel Society of America Online Exhibit, Enduring Brilliance! The Butler Institute of American Art - www.butlerart.com
September, 2021 Pastel Society of America’s 49th Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance! Online Exhibition
June/July, 2021 International Association of Pastel Societies 2021 Gallery Exhibit, Chicago! Zhou B Art Center; Chicago, IL
September, 2020 Solo Exhibition, Hot Metal Harrison Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
September, 2020 Pastel Society of America’s 48th Annual Exhibit, Enduring Brilliance! Online Exhibition
December, 2019 - February, 2020 Selections from the Pastel Society of America Exhibit The Butler Institute of American Art Youngstown, Ohio
September, 2019 Pastel Society of America's 47th Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance! National Arts Club, Gramercy Park; New York, NY
July, 2019 41st Annual Open Exhibition in Painting, Sculpture, & Graphics The Salmagundi Art Club, New York, NY
June, 2019 International Association of Pastel Societies' Biennial Exhibit, PastelWorld IAPS 2019 Convention, Albuquerque, NM
December, 2017 Solo Exhibition, From Dusk to Dawn City Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
October, 2016 Mother - Daughter Show with Autumn Ghubril, Marketplace - Where People Gather to Exchange Goods, Services, and Ideas Harrison Gallery; Indianapolis, IN
October, 2016 Chicago Pastel Painters’ Annual Exhibit, Strokin' VI Art and Company, Orland Park, IL
September, 2016 Pastel Society of America's 44th Annual Exhibition, Enduring Brilliance! National Arts Club, Gramercy Park; New York, NY
April/May, 2016 Visiting Artist Series Encore Sotheby's International Realty; Indianapolis, IN
May, 2015 Solo exhibition, What's Your Pleasure? City Gallery; Indianapolis, IN