Biography

Jo-Anne Pion is originally from Montreal and worked for many years in the community sector, primarily with individuals living with mental health challenges. She developed a deep interest in the many ways people express themselves and has always been attentive to welcoming and understanding emotions.

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Although she has always been fascinated by art in all its forms, it was not until 2016 that she began painting with soft pastels. She turned to this medium following the illness of her mother, who was herself a professional pastellist.

She studied with renowned Montreal pastellist Mélissa Breault and has continued her artistic development through workshops and mentorship with several master pastellists in the United States.

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In 2019, she became a Signatory Member of the Arizona Pastel Artists Association and, in 2022, a Signatory Member of the Pastel Society of Eastern Canada. Her work has been selected for numerous juried exhibitions and has received several awards. She is also a member of the Vermont Pastel Society and exhibits regularly in both Canada and the United States. Today, she shares her passion for soft pastel through classes, workshops, demonstrations, and community-based arts programs.