Twenty Melbourne Painters Society Inc.
           Est. 1918
         
        the tradition continues...

    The TWENTY MELBOURNE PAINTERS SOCIETY is a unique organisation amongst art societies,
    as possibly the smallest (formally constituted), and one of the oldest art societies in Australia. It is
    also one of the most highly respected. Established in 1918 by a group of 20 artist / painters
    dedicated to the principles of “tonal” painting and the “Meldrum School” of painting. The Society
    was formed for the purpose of mounting annual exhibitions of members' works.

    The first exhibition was held in 1919 and in 2008 the society celebrated its 90th anniversary . The
    TMPS exhibitions continue today to attract a very large following and are currently held at the
    Glen Eira City Art Gallery, in Caulfield, Victoria.

    While few small art societies survive, the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society  has benefited
    from the support of dedicated members including many of Australia’s most illustrious artists, such
    as Sir John Longstaff, Rupert Bunny, Alice Bale, William Rowell, A.E. Newbury, Percy Leason,
    Clarice Beckett, Sybil Craig, Sir William Dargie CBE, and many others.

    Current members aim to maintain the spirit of the Society and are all widely known for their
    exemplary standards in painting, teaching, judging and exhibiting.

    Membership is by invitation as vacancies arise.

    Annual Exhibitions are currently held in August and are under the management of Jenny Pihan
    Fine Art - one of Melbourne's leading galleries and art dealers.


All rights reserved.
       Paul McDonald Smith
    ARTIST


       Bottlebrush Club

    A small philanthropic club of invited members who have demonstrated their
    dedication to the Victorian Artists Society over many years. The Bottlebrush Club was
    informally established under Laurie Scott Pendelbury’s Presidency of the VAS in 1963
    as a fund raising body for the Society. Initially proposed as a short-term idea, the club
    continues to be active. Its membership cheerfully donate to the VAS from their own
    pockets and have contributed much over the last few decades. There are
    approximately 14 members.




           Victorian Artists Society
                                   CHI VA PIANO VA SANO

                           430 Albert Street East Melbourne, Victoria 3002 Australia

                                                    Since 1870

    The VICTORIAN ARTISTS SOCIETY is understood to be the largest and oldest artists’ society in
    Australia being established in 1870 and is based at its historic and beautiful unique purpose
    built premises in East Melbourne. The Society's distinctive and distinguished home has been a
    Melbourne landmark since 1892 and is located in one of the city’s most attractive precincts.  

    The Society has served artists and the community with continuity since its inception and has
    involved many of the most significant artists responsible for shaping the development of art in
    Australia. Its Presidents have also included some of the most distinguished and legendary
    names associated with Australian art such as Frederick McCubbin, Walter Withers,  John
    Mather, Sir John Longstaff,  Arnold Shore, Max Meldrum and William (Jock) Frater.  

    Paul McDonald Smith was the 29th President to serve the Society in its 130 years and is also the
    youngest person to be elected to this office. Having given continuous service to the Society’s
    Council and various sub-committees since 1992, he was elected to the Presidency in 1998,
    retiring in 2003. The office of President is honorary. He also served as Chairman of the Society’s
    Council, Editor, Convenor of the Publications Committee, and the Cato Gallery Committee, and
    continues today as Chairman of the Society’s Distinguished Awards Committee.  

    A non-profit organisation, the Victorian Artists Society supports an annual exhibition programme
    for members in its lofty and historic galleries, various regular activities for member participation
    and an art school is located in the studio which dates to 1874. Membership of the Society is
    open  to artists and  non-artists alike and the galleries are available for hire to applicants
    approved by the Society’s Council.

                           Further Memberships       

    Founder, Moonee Valley Painting Group.
    Fellow, Royal Society of Arts. (London)
    Chairman, Herald Sun Camberwell Rotary Art Competition, Judging Panel 2002,
    (Mbr. 2001 &1990)
    Chairman, A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship and Art Awards Judging Panel, 2003-:
    Advisor to Trustees
    President 2003 –2004, Honorary Member, Glen Eira Cheltenham Art Group Inc.
    (Tutor 1977-:)
    Chairman, V.A.S. Distinguished Awards Committee 2004 –: (Member since 1998)
    Member, Bottlebrush Club.
    Member, Royal Art Society of New South Wales
    Member, The Order of International Fellowship. U.K.
    Member, The Order of Australia Association.
    Honorary Member, Hobson’s Bay Arts Society Inc.
    Honorary Member, Box Hill Art Group Inc.
    Associate, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

    Current TMPS Membership 2008
Angela Abbott, Greg Allen, June Barnett, Bill Caldwell, Margaret Cowling, Stephen Doyle, John Dudley,
Jacqueline Fowler, Amanda Hyatt, Herman Pekel, Lee Machelak, Barbara McCallum, Paul McDonald Smith,
Ross Paterson, Clive Sinclair, Peter Smales, David Taylor, Maxwell Wilks, Judith Wills & Joseph Zbukvic
    "The first duty of an art critic is to hold his tongue, at all
    times  and upon all subjects.”
                                                                   Oscar Wilde
"Carlton Corner"
"Pomonal - Victoria"
"Noosa"
    “The ultimate goal of art is to express that which is within you with
    sincerity and in the clearest and most perfect way.

    The artist should love life, and show that it is beautiful.
    Without him we might doubt it.”
                                                                                         Gabriel Fauré
    ***
    ***
Notes on Melbourne's major Art Societies with which I am affiliated.
    ***

    In the late 1880's a competition was held for the design of a suitable building for the Victorian
    Artists Society - to accommodate its galleries and studio. This was won by architect Richard
    Speight and his original rendering (above) shows his intention for the building's facade. This
    building was completed as the Society's permanent home in 1892, and the facade retains this
    original appearance to this day. The facade was completely restored to original specifications in
    1999 under the guidance of Architect Alan Willingham, with the generous assistance of the
    Heritage Council, Victoria.

    For some decades, the Society shared part of its home and facilities with the Melba
    Conservatorium of Music, as tenants of the VAS until 1970. Dame Nellie Melba herself was
    elected Honorary Life Member of the Victorian Artists Society in 1914.

                                                                                                                               ... in the interests of art.
"Hahndorf .S.A."
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION  ABOUT THE TMPS 92nd ANNUAL EXHIBITION

    AUGUST 2010