Changing Perspectives 2026
MSWPS 117th Annual Exhibition
7 October - 18 October, 2026
430 Albert Street, East Melbourne
Sue Jarvis -Study of Gulsen Ozer
On the last weekend of May 1905 MSWPS artists held their first exhibition, coordinated by Tina Gowdie, Annie Gates, Daisy Stone and Heloise Trahair.
120 years later, the society celebrates the Anniversary of their progressive planning, that instigated female only exhibitions throughout the 20th century and beyond.
Changing Perspectives is the 116th Annual Exhibition featuring a broad range of medium, and subjects created by members during the past two years.
MSWPS is delighted that Kelly Gellatly, Chair of the Sheila Foundation, and Joanna Bosse, Curator at Bayside Gallery, will Judge and select award recipients.
Eileen Mackley AM will be interviewed by Ron Smith OAM about the restoration of the Victorian Artists Society Heritage Building on Wednesday 1 October.
In addition to the exhibition, visitors can attend live artist demonstrations on:
Saturday 10 October – Steffie Wallace
Sunday 18 October – Dina Goebel
We acknowledge our Sponsors and their generous support:
Ron Smith OAM, Senior Art Supplies & Victorian Artists Society
In conjunction with our Annual Exhibition at VAS, our archivist Robyn Pridham is curating a special display on MSWPS and its members at the East Melbourne Library, 122 George Street, East Melbourne, from 1 – 31 October.
Key dates
1 August: Entries open
6 September: Entries close
6 October: Deliver works for exhibition from 10am to midday
7 October: Judging
7 October: Open to public
10 October: Official opening at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries, 430 Albert St East Melbourne at 2 - 4pm
10 October: Demonstration Steffie Wallace
18 October: Demonstration Dina Goebel
19 October: Pick up works from 10am to 3pm
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Catherine Bell
Dr Catherine Bell is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, and Professor of Visual Art in the Faculty of Education and Arts at Australian Catholic University (ACU), where she is also Director of the ACU Melbourne Gallery. Her socially engaged practice explores how modes of care can be communicated through relational and situational forms of creativity. Bell curated the NETS-supported national touring exhibition Fem-affinity (2020–21), which examines inclusive practice as a feminist mode of production. She was awarded a Gertrude Contemporary studio (2020–23) and will present a mid-career survey exhibition, curated by Hamish Sawyer, at Linden New Art in late 2026. She is represented by Sutton Gallery, Melbourne.
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Erika Gofton
Erika Gofton is a Naarm-based multidisciplinary artist exploring what it is to be human. She earned her BFA from UTAS and continued her studies in London and New York. Her solo exhibitions span Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland, and she has participated in numerous group shows worldwide. Erika has been a finalist in various prestigious art prizes. A passionate educator, she has taught at VCA and other institutions and founded The Art Room, an independent art school in Melbourne, in 2009. In 2023, she co-founded Parallel Projects, a gallery, with her creative partner, Ilona Nelson.
VAS Heritage Building Restoration
Eileen Mackley AM interview with Ron Smith OAM
Wednesday 1 October 1:30
Followed by Devonshire Tea
Their interview follows a timeline of the restoration of the Victorian Artists Society heritage building. They will include a series of slides showing the decay and water damage the building had incurred over many years of neglect. The four years, $2.5M restoration was successfully completed in 2020 under the guidance of the then President, Eileen Mackley AM.
The 2025 winners
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![Sue Jarvis, Study of Gulsen Ozer]()
The Annie Davison Oliver Award
Sue Jarvis, Study of Gulsen Ozer
Annie Davison Oliver was a long serving Treasurer and benefactor of MSWPS for nearly seven decades. She lived to the age of 94 with creativity her driving force. MSWPS established this award in recognition of Annie’s dedication, talent and generosity.
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![Peta Tranquille, Misaligned]()
The Valda Cuming Sculpture Award
Peta Tranquille, Misaligned
Valda Cuming OAM was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to the arts in 2019. She served on the MSWPS committee for many of the 25 years she was a member. Valda was widely recognised for her sculptural talents in a range of materials including wood, ceramic and stone. MSWPS established the Valda Cuming Sculpture Award in 2020 in recognition of her inspirational career, her services to the Society and her impressive artistic achievements.
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![Jo Reitze, In Kamesburgh Gardens]()
The Jo Bennett Award for Work on Paper
Jo Reitze, In Kamesburgh Gardens
An esteemed Life Member, Jo Bennett joined the Society in 1975. She worked in various capacities on the committee throughout the 1980s and 1990s and was Life Drawing monitor until late in the next decade. She was committed to fostering innovation and inquiry.
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![Steffie Wallace, Morning Storm]()
The Judith Perrey Award for Oil/Acrylic
Steffie Wallace, Morning Storm
Judith was a stalwart of MSWPS since joining in 1961. She was an esteemed Life Member holding every office including president, treasurer and secretary. she edited The Bulletin for many years and contributed witty and insightful poems. She also prepared 'The Jood Quiz' for Winter and Christmas Luncheons and attended weekly Life Drawing sessions.
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The MSWPS Award
Anne Finkelde, On Any Day - Joint 2025 Winner
This award is chosen by the current Members of MSWPS. Each artwork entered for the 2025 Exhibition automatically receives One (1) voting point. Members choose Two (2) Artworks by their peers for added voting points.
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The MSWPS Award
Cynthia Boyle, And there was no Bird Song
Joint Winner of the award for 2025.
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![Beatrice, Magalotti, Let’s Dance]()
Highly Commended
Beatrice, Magalotti, Let’s Dance
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![Anna Mandoki, Childless cat Lady]()
Highly Commended
Anna Mandoki, Childless cat Lady
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![Kath McCann, Wind is stilled]()
Highly Commended
Kath McCann, Wind is stilled
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![Louise Foletta, Italian memories]()
Highly Commended
Louise Foletta, Italian Memories
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![Victoria Duggan, Cubby at Sunset]()
Ron Smith OAM Encouragement Award
Victoria Duggan, Cubby at Sunset
The Encouragement Award, acknowledges a younger MSWPS member who is actively creating within her practice and dedicated to pursuing her craft to maturity.
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![On Any Day, Anne Finkelde]()
Senior Art Supplies Door Prize and People's Choice
Anne Finkelde, On Any Day
The winner of the Door Prize is Terry Lee Edwards
The most selected artwork by visitors via the Door Prize entry goes to On Any Day by Anne Finkelde.
Artwork statement:
What gathers on our individual kitchen benches can range from the result of a neatness fetish, the outcome of a Marie Condo style revamp or the detritus of a too busy life. 'On any day' my kitchen bench is bathed in natural light and leans toward the latter. And 'on any day' you might find a florist shop of botanical array brought into our abode by a proud hubby who has just harvested the bounty. Its deposited there with its spreading branches, idiosyncratic forms or ker-plonk of harvested fruits or vegetables. All in need of the closest bowl or vase. On any day I love the assemblage of the produce, the native flowers or seasonal blooms. Each has their own peculiar growth and beauty. There are no style police looking at my kitchen bench, in fact in artistic terms it is an aberrant composition. I guess that's what this artwork is all about, abundance and aberrant composition. Because that's what I've got on any day. Blessed indeed.
Are you a full member? Enter our annual exhibition today.
Just log into your member portal and fill out the exhibition submission entry form.