Malvern Artists' Society was founded on 29 April 1957 by a group of ten artists following a successful exhibition of their work at Malvern Town Hall.
April 29, 1957The first General Meeting was held on 16 July 1957 and an annual subscription was fixed at five shillings. The first President was Dr C.E.G. Beveridge.
July 16, 1957The first exhibition was held at the old Metro Picture Theatre in Malvern from 28 September until 12 October 1957.
28 September, 1957From 12 October 1957 to 1971, artworks were exhibited in the foyer of the Metro Theatre, including artists Kenneth Jack, Donald Campbell, Stanley Hammond, Bruce Fletcher (Government Vietnam War artist), Dr Beveridge, Anne Graham and Shirley Bourne.
12 October, 1957In 1960, the first Bargain Sale took place at the Metro Theatre. The Bargain Sale is still a special event at the Society each year.
December, 1960In February 1961, Life Classes were held at the home of Joan Henry in Armadale, and membership quickly rose to 40. Meetings and demonstrations were held in private homes and at the studio of Bruce Fletcher.
February, 1961In January 1962, the Society rented a large room and kitchen at 1268 High Street Malvern for five pounds a week.
January, 1962By 1966 membership had risen to over 100, and exhibitions were held in, amongst other places, the Royal Arcade in Melbourne.
1966In 1967, exhibitions in the Royal Arcade became an annual event and part of the Moomba celebrations.
1967In January 1970, the Society purchased a freestanding building on 1297 High Street Malvern, the present home of the Society.
January, 1970The building was extended in the mid '70s to provide a Studio for art classes. The Studio, now with wonderful facilities, continues to provide first class teachers and classes in a variety of visual media.
1975The Society celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary in 2007, a time for reflection, gratitude, planning, and cake.
2007In 2017, the Society celebrated its Sixtieth Anniversary. The strong position of the Society, built over many years, enabled it to successfully navigate the Covid-19 pandemic two years later.
2017
Don is a Melbourne born artist who has an abiding interest in Tonal Impressionism which he developed whilst being taught by Shirley Bourne and Alan Martin and studying the works of Max Meldrum. Don paints still lifes, portraits, landscapes and flower studies. He is a former teacher at MAS and Councillor of the Victorian Artists' Society.
A former President of Malvern Artists' Society, Joan was born in New South Wales and was a realist watercolour painter. She was a former Councillor of the Victorian Artists' Society, a past President of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, and a member of the Watercolour Society of Victoria. Joan was a much loved watercolour teacher at MAS for decades was made a Life Member in 2008.
Angela is a Melbourne-born artist and was a member of the 'Seven Painters' group in the 1970s. She is a former Councillor of the Victorian Artists' Society and a Committee member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors. Angela is a former winner of the Alice Bale Travelling Scholarship and in 1990, by invitation, joined the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society.
Born in Benalla, Margaret is a member of the Watercolour Society of Victoria and has won many major watercolour awards. Margaret has been a member of Malvern Artists' Society since 1979 and since then has exhibited at MAS regularly, including numerous solo exhibitions.
Carmel learnt to paint at MAS under Shirley Bourne and has exhibited widely in Melbourne and Victorian country areas. She has held several solo exhibitions, including at Malvern Artists' Society. Carmel recently retired from her popular tonal oil painting class at MAS, which she taught for decades. She is also a former Committee member of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors.
Born in England, Maggie describes herself as an expressionist painter who only commenced painting in watercolor later in life. Her use of vibrant colour and loose ,fresh work has earned her recognition and many commendations from judges. Her work has been acquired throughout Australia and overseas. She is also a member of the Victorian Artists' Society.
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