About the Artist
Through the pure pigment of soft pastels, Ted Fuka captures the vibrant color and authentic essence of the natural world with his representational paintings. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, he was always drawn to the varied scenery when his family would travel into the rural Midwest whether it was on summer vacations to northern Wisconsin, occasional trips to Michigan or just a drive out beyond traffic lights. It instilled in him a deep appreciation for the region's diverse landscapes, which he explores in his artwork.
He first discovered pastels in figure drawing classes while attending the American Academy of Art in Chicago and later found the spontaneous medium to be a good choice in creating color studies for finished illustrations in his graphic art business. However, his passion for these colorful sketches soon blossomed into a full-fledged artistic pursuit.
From a young age Ted always felt a deep connection to nature and expresses the feeling of being there in his paintings. The veritable beauty of nature and its enduring serenity is the impression Ted seeks to communicate to the observer while always striving to capture light and form. His work is held in many private collections and has earned numerous awards at prestigious regional, national, and international juried exhibitions.
SELECT JURIED EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS:
2026
113th Allied Artists of America, Online, New York, NY
11th Biennial Member Exhibition, Chicago Pastel Painters, Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago, IL
40th Pastels USA, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Visual Experience Fine Art Gallery, Torrance, CA
Richeson 75: Landscape, Seascape & Architecture, Online, Kimberly, WI
16th Master Circle, PastelWorld Exhibition, International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM
‘For Pastels Only’, Pastel Painters Society of Cap Cod, Cultural Center of Cap Cod, South Yarmouth, MA,
Pastel Society of New Jersey Award
16th Master Circle, ‘PastelWorld’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM
'Duality', Frankfort Arts Association, Studio C, Frankfort, IL
Richeson 75: Small Works 2026, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
10th Open National Exhibition, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, Phippen Museum of Art, Prescott, AZ,
Best Landscape Award
2025
10th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’ Exhibition, Chicago Pastel Painters, The Art Center, Highland Park, IL
Illiart 2025, Gallery Seven, Lockport, IL
32nd Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Arts Center East, Vernon, CT,
Pastel Society of the West Coast Award
39th Pastels USA, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Hilbert Museum of California Art, Orange, CA
Richeson 75: Landscape, Seascape & Architecture, Online, Kimberly, WI
‘For Pastels Only’, Pastel Painters Society of Cap Cod, Cultural Center of Cap Cod, South Yarmouth, MA
'Micro/Macro', Frankfort Arts Association, Studio C, Frankfort, IL,
Third Place Award
33rd Annual 'Enchanted Colors', Pastel Society of New Mexico, Millicent Rodgers Museum/Online, Taos, NM
9th Open National Exhibition, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, Phippen Museum of Art, Prescott, AZ
‘Sanctuary’, Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery, Park Forest, IL
2024
10th Biennial Member, ‘Strokin’ 10!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Tall Grass Gallery, Park Forest, IL
31st Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT,
Terry Ludwig Pastels Award of Excellence
111th Allied Artists of America, Online, New York, NY
Richeson 75: Landscape, Seascape & Architecture, Online, Kimberly, WI
'Destinations Unknown', Frankfort Arts Association, Studio C, Frankfort, IL,
Second Place Award
12th Master Circle, ‘PastelWorld’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM
‘For Pastels Only’, Pastel Painters Society of Cap Cod, Cultural Center of Cap Cod, South Yarmouth, MA
8th Open National Exhibition, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, Phippen Museum of Art, Prescott, AZ,
Christine Debrosky Award of Landscape Excellence
14th Biennial National Art Exhibition, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL
2023
30th Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Arts Center East, Vernon, CT
9th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’ Exhibition, Chicago Pastel Painters, Online, Chicago, IL
51st ‘Enduring Brilliance!’, Pastel Society of America, Online, New York, NY
110th Allied Artists of America, Online & Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH,
Pastel Art Promotion Association of Taiwan Award
‘For Pastels Only’, Pastel Painters Society of Cap Cod, Cultural Center of Cap Cod, South Yarmouth, MA,
Central Mass Pastel Society Award
37th Pastels USA, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Haggin Museum of Art, Stockton, CA
90th Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme Art Assocation, Old Lyme, CT
31st Annual 'Enchanted Colors', Pastel Society of New Mexico, Millicent Rodgers Museum/Online, Taos, NM
'The Power of Light', Frankfort Arts Association, Studio C, Frankfort, IL,
First Place Award
Richeson 75: Small Works 2023, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
7th Open National Exhibition, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, Phippen Museum of Art, Prescott, AZ
23rd Pastel 100 Competition, Pastel Journal Magazine, Cincinnati, OH,
Honorable Mention Award
2022
5th China Biennial International Pastel Exhibition, Ming Gallery of Art/Online, Suzhou, China
Illiart 2022, Gallery Seven, Lockport, IL,
First Place Award
6th Annual, ‘Pure Color 2022’, Pastel Society of North Carolina, Online, Greenboro, NC
9th Biennial Member, ‘Strokin’ 9!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts, Chicago, IL
30th Pastel Society of New Mexico, Millicent Rodgers Museum/Online, Taos, NM
22nd Pastel 100 Competition, Pastel Journal Magazine, Cincinnati, OH,
Honorable Mention Award
29th Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Lyme Art Assocation, Old Lyme, CT
89th Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme Art Assocation, Old Lyme, CT
2021
8th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’ Exhibition, Chicago Pastel Painters, McCord Gallery, Palos Park, IL,
Fourth Place Award
28th Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT
40th Pastel Society of the Southwest, Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, Grapevine, TX
108th Allied Artists of America, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
5th ‘Pure Color 2021’ Pastel Society of North Carolina, Online, Greenboro, NC,
Honorable Mention Award
35th Pastels USA, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Online, Auburn, CA,
PleinAir Magazine Award
6th Master Circle, Zhou Gallery, International Association of Pastel Societies, Chicago, IL
Annual Spring Show, Arizona Pastel Artists Association, Online, AZ,
Richeson Award of Merit, Best Landscape
88th Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme Art Assocation, Old Lyme, CT
29th Pastel Society of New Mexico, Millicent Rodgers Museum/Online, Taos, NM
2020
4th China Biennial International Pastel Exhibition, Ming Gallery of Art/Online, Suzhou, China
12th Biennial National Art Exhibition, Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL
8th Biennial Member, ‘Strokin’ VIII!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Online, Chicago, IL
87th Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme Art Assocation, Old Lyme, CT,
Ridgewood Art Institute Award
‘For Pastels Only’, Pastel Painters Society of Cap Cod, Online, South Yarmouth, MA
48th ‘Enduring Brilliance!’, Pastel Society of America, Online, New York, NY
107th Allied Artists of America, Online, New York, NY
2020 National, Great Lakes Pastel Society, Online, Grand Rapids, MI
34th Pastels USA, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Online, Auburn, CA
27th Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Online, Weatogue, CT
28th Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Online, Albuquerque, NM
2019
Pastel Society of America Exhibition, The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
7th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’ Exhibition, Chicago Pastel Painters, The Art Center, Highland Park, IL
35th ‘Web Show’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Kingston, MA
8th ‘Reflections in Pastel’, Arkansas Pastel Society, Butler Studies Institute Galleries, Little Rock, AR
26th Renaissance in Pastel, Connecticut Pastel Society, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT
‘Pure Color’, Online, Pastel Society of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
47th ‘Enduring Brilliance!’, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
‘For Pastels Only’, Pastel Painters Society of Cap Cod, Cultural Center of Cap Cod, South Yarmouth, MA,
Pastel Society of North Carolina Award
86th Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme Art Assoc., Old Lyme, CT
5th Master Circle, ‘PastelWorld’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM
27th Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM,
Sponsorship Award
2018
33rd ‘Web Show’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Kingston, MA
25th ‘Renaissance in Pastel’, Connecticut Pastel Society, UConn Stamford Art Gallery, Stamford, CT,
Allied Artists of America Award
3rd China Biennial International Pastel Exhibition, Ming Gallery of Art, Suzhou, China,
Excellence Award
Great Lakes Pastel Society, Holland Area Arts Council, Holland, MI,
Sponsorship Award
‘Heartland’, Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery, Park Forest, IL,
Third Place Award
26th Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Richeson 75: Small Works 2018, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI,
Honorable Mention
7th Biennial, ‘Strokin’ VII!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, Palos Park, IL,
Sponsorship Award
2017
4th Master Circle, ‘PastelWorld’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM
‘Arts In Harmony’ 22nd Annual, Elk River Area Arts Alliance, Blaine City Hall, Blaine, MN
84th Annual, Hudson Valley Art Association, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
32nd Annual Bosque Art Classic, Bosque Arts Center, Clifton, TX
45th Annual ‘Enduring Brilliance!’, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
24th Annual ‘Renaissance in Pastel’, Connecticut Pastel Society, Arts Center East, Vernon, CT
6th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook, IL,
Award of Excellence
3rd Annual ‘The Art of the Heartland’, Southwest Artists, Inc., Mena Art Gallery, Mena, AR
2016
25th Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM
2nd China Biennial International Pastel Exhibition, Ming Gallery of Art, Suzhou, China
23rd Annual ‘Renaissance in Pastel’, Connecticut Pastel Society, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT
14th Biennial, Pastel Society of North Florida, Galleries of Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL,
Pastel Society of America Exceptional Merit Award
31st Annual Bosque Art Classic, Bosque Arts Center, Clifton, TX
‘Arts In Harmony’ 21st Annual, Elk River Area Arts Alliance, Sherburne County Gov. Center, Elk River, MN,
Third Place Overall Award
83rd Annual, Hudson Valley Art Association, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
Pastel National 2016, Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS
Richeson 75: Small Works 2016, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
Great Lakes Pastel Society, Holland Area Arts Council, Holland, MI
6th Biennial Member,‘Strokin’ VI!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Art & Company, Orland Park, IL
28th Juried Exhibition, International Association of Pastel Societies, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
2015
16th Annual, Pastel 100 Competition, Pastel Journal Magazine, Blue Ash, OH,
Honorable Mention
27th Exhibition ‘Web Show’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Kingston, MA
24th Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM
22nd Annual ‘Renaissance in Pastel’, CT Pastel Society, UConn Stamford Art Gallery, Stamford, CT
5th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’, Chicago Pastel Painters, The Art Center, Highland Park, IL,
Sponsorship Award
Richeson 75: Animals, Birds & Wildlife, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
UART 2015 Online Pastel Competition, Spring Valley, NY
43rd Annual ‘Enduring Brilliance!, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
26th Exhibition, ‘PastelWorld’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM
Richeson 75: Small Works 2015, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
2014
Online Art Exhibition, Puget Sound Group Northwest Artists, Kirkland, WA
23rd Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM
13th Biennial, Pastel Society of North Florida, Galleries of Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL,
Third Place Award
Richeson 75: Figure / Portrait, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
21st Annual ‘Renaissance in Pastel’, Connecticut Pastel Society, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT,
Dianne B. Bernard Art Spirit Award
42nd Annual ‘Enduring Brilliance!’, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
82nd Annual, Hudson Valley Art Association, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY
Great Lakes Pastel Society, The Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City, MI
5th Biennial Member, ‘Strokin’ V!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL,
Sponsorship Award
Pastel National 2014, The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS,
Honorable Mention Award
2013
4th Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’ Exhibition, Chicago Pastel Painters, TAC, Highland Park, IL,
Sponsorship Award
22nd Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM,
Sponsorship Award
41st Annual ‘Enduring Brilliance’, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
81st Annual, Hudson Valley Art Association, Lyme Art Assoc., Old Lyme, CT,
Kenneth B. Spaulding Memorial Award
Richeson 75: Landscape, Seascape & Architectural, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
2012
21st Exhibition ‘Web Show’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Kingston, MA
21st Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM,
First Place Award
4th Biennial Member, ‘Strokin’ IV!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Palette & Chisel Academy, Chicago, IL,
Sponsorship Award
40th Annual ‘Enduring Brilliance’, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, New York, NY
Sixth Annual PaintAmerica Top 100, Paint America Association, Topeka, KS
Richeson 75: Pastels, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI,
Best in Show Award
Pastel National 2012, The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS
2011
19th Exhibition ‘Web Show’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Kingston, MA
20th Annual, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM
Oak Park Art League, Carriage House Gallery, Oak Park, IL
3rd Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook, IL,
Sponsorship Award
Richeson 75: Figure / Portrait, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
39th Annual ‘Pastels Only’, Pastel Society of America, The National Arts Club, Bernard Gallery, New York, NY,
Sponsorship Award
Richeson 75: Landscape, Seascape & Architectural, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
2010
17th Exhibition ‘Web Show’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Kingston, MA
39th Annual ‘Pastels Only’, Pastel Society of America, National Arts Club, Bernard Gallery, New York, NY
15th Exhibition ‘International Pastels’, International Association of Pastel Societies, Brea, CA
Pastel National 2010, The Wichita Center for the Arts, Wichita, KS
3rd Biennial Member, ‘Strokin’ III!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
Richeson 75: Pastels, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
2009
37th Annual ‘Pastels Only’, Pastel Society of America, National Arts Club, Bernard Gallery, New York, NY
2nd Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Koehnline Museum of Art, DesPlaines, IL,
Sponsorship Award
Richeson 75: Pastels, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
Fourth Annual PaintAmerica Top 100 and Top 50, PaintAmerica Association, Topeka, KS
Richeson 75: Landscape, Seascape and Architectural, Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Kimberly, WI
2008
2nd Biennial Member, ‘Strokin' Too!’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Old Town Art Center, Chicago, IL,
Sponsorship Award
2007
First Biennial ‘Pastels Chicago’, Chicago Pastel Painters, Palette & Chisel Academy, Chicago, IL,
Sponsorship Award
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Pastel Society of America - Signature member
Chicago Pastel Painters - Master member
International Association of Pastel Societies - Master Circle Honoree
Hudson Valley Arts Association - Elected member
Allied Artists of America - Elected member
Tall Grass Arts Association - Juried Artist
Frankfort Arts Association - Member
