Submitted photo “Till We Meet Again” by Vincent S. Chiaramonte is part of the “Enduring Brilliance” pastel exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art.

The Butler Institute of American Art will display works from the annual Pastel Society of America’s “Enduring Brilliance” exhibition.

Butler Director Emeritus Louis A. Zona selected 31 paintings for display in the museum’s Flora B. Giffuni Gallery of American Pastels.

According to Zona, “No matter the level of difficulty of the challenge, these pastel artists can apply the medium to meet the challenge of probably the most difficult media within the world of art. This pastel exhibition at the Butler hit a home run.”

The Pastel Society of America, founded in 1972 by Flora B. Giffuni, is the oldest pastel society in America. It is largely responsible for the current renaissance of pastels in American art. The society’s annual exhibition at The National Arts Club in New York is the premier event for pastel artists worldwide.

In 2004, the Flora B. Giffuni Gallery of American Pastels was established at the Butler thanks to the generosity of Giffuni. It is the only museum gallery in the U.S. devoted exclusively to works in the pastel medium, and its creation was a “lifelong dream come true” for her. The gallery offers exhibitions by accomplished pastel artists, group shows from the Pastel Society of America and displays of works from the Butler’s prestigious collection.

Works from “Enduring Brilliance” will be on display from Sunday through May 3 at the Butler, 524 Wick Ave., Youngstown. Admission is free.