President’s Report October 2025

Denise Keele-bedford

A massive congratulations to all fifty-six members who participated in the 2025 Annual Exhibition. The presentation of the exhibition was a credit to you all.

Special congratulations to our Award recipients! You can view their achievements on the Exhibition page of our website.

All artworks remain available for purchase online until 31 October, so please continue to share the exhibition on your social media, including the link to the 2025 MSWPS Annual Exhibition page. 2025 MSWPS ANNUAL EXHIBITION

Members are also invited to vote for their favourite peers’ artworks until 31 October. Simply scan the QR code below to access the online voting form, or via your portal.

A heartfelt thank you to all volunteers, sitters, and committee members who gave their time and energy from installation day through to pick-up day, ensuring the exhibition’s success.

The Committee always welcomes feedback. Do you have any highlights or suggestions that might assist with future exhibitions? Please email your thoughts to info@mswps.com.au.

When you have time, visit the East Melbourne Library to view the beautiful display created by our archivist, Robyn Pridham, celebrating our society’s history and sculptors. The display runs until 31 October—check the library’s visiting hours via their website.  East Melbourne Library

MSWPS also extends heartfelt condolences to the McGrath family on the passing of Joyce, who died peacefully on 13 September. Joyce joined the Society in 1990 and was named an Honorary Member in 2021. She made a highly respected contribution to the arts in Australia and was awarded an OAM for her service. Our condolence message read:

The Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors wishes to acknowledge the passing of Joyce, who joined the Society in 1990. She was nominated as an Honorary Member in 2021. Joyce’s contribution to the arts in Australia is highly respected and deserving of her OAM. The Society extends its condolences to her family and celebrates her almost 100 years of life.

It continues to be a privilege to serve as President. In this role, I meet many people and enjoy getting to know our members more closely. The wealth of talent and knowledge across our Society is extraordinary.

I’ve also been reminded many times of the “six degrees of separation.” The more women I meet, the more I discover surprising and delightful connections between our members, other female artists, colleagues, and my broader network. Sometimes I’ve even introduced people who have known each other for years—much to my surprise!

Earlier in September, before our own exhibition, a group of us travelled to Geelong to see the Archibald Prize Exhibition. I went the night before and stayed with a relative, then joined a dozen or so members who had come by train from Southern Cross. The exhibition, true to Archibald tradition, was controversial. We were able to vote for our favourite artwork on the day. My highlight was seeing the winning piece by young female artist Julie Fragar. Earlier I saw another of her works at AGSA in August, when she served as one of the judges for the Ramsay Art Prize. Julie was the inaugural recipient of the Ramsay People’s Choice Prize in 2017.

On Tuesday 23 September, installation day, I stopped at Ola Cohn House to collect two of our 100th Anniversary catalogues to present to our judges, Kelly and Joanna, who so generously donated their time to select the awards and write comments. While there, I found a package addressed to me from Lindsay Cuming, who had kindly sent MSWPS a gift: Valda the Eclectic Artist. I had already purchased a copy at the book launch (as reported in September), but Lindsay’s gift will be displayed at the East Melbourne Library alongside one of Valda’s sculptures. On behalf of the Society, a thank-you card has been sent to Lindsay.

Finally, please remember to check the Events page on our website and create your own events to promote your activities. If submitted before 13 October, they will also be included in The Bulletin to reach all members.

Lastly, wishing all members celebrating this month – Happy October Birthday!

Voting QR Code

Image: Joana Bosse and Kelly Gellatly with the Annie Davison Oliver Award winning artwork, Study of Gulsen Ozer by Sue Jarvis.

MSWPS Members and friend at lunch after enjoying the Archibald Prize Exhibition.