President’s Report October
Welcome to October and the pleasure of daylight getting longer each day. For me, this past winter has been a very long dark period. The sunshine and warmth are truly good for the soul.
A bus load of members and friends travelled to the Shepparton Art Museum where we enjoyed two excellent exhibitions, a friendly lunch, and loads of conversation.
We were able to choose our favourite finalist in the Archibald Prize, and there were some beauties. I was most impressed with the amount of small works this year. A double pass also allowed us to see the Degas to Picasso, from the Auckland Art Gallery, Toi O Tamaki. A female artist was represented in the exhibition: a lovely Barbara Hepworth bronze made in 1958.
Feedback was positive and many thanks to Vicki Birt for her organisation of the event.
Several Members received most helpful hints, suggestions and practical advice, when Dina Goebel presented Selling Your Artwork at an online event on 15th September.
The final Open Session for 2026 was held late September and the change to Tuesday was welcomed by those in attendance.
A few updates around Ola Cohn House have added to our comfort and ease of access:
We now have our own fridge in the Stable Studio, along with the microwave and coffee machine.
Access to the archive and storage cupboards has been made easier with a common key for new locks—a cost that the committee agreed would save much time and angst.
A working bee at OCH will be planned later this year/early 2027 to further clear unwanted items. Anything that is offered to members to take away is advertised in the Bulletin.
The Annual Exhibition is upon us with over one hundred artworks featured. Although entries opened on 1st August, submission time was extended until 11th September to assist as many members as possible to lodge their entries. Many thanks to Leigh Rees in creating a document to assist members with their online submissions.
For the past three annual exhibitions we have persevered with a system that can appear complicated. Consequently, we will be looking at an improved system for next year.
The exhibition program includes a door prize, opening day on Saturday 2:00-4:00 pm and artist demonstrations. We are pleased that all exhibiting artists will receive a free catalogue. The committee trialled a new way to manage delivery day and were pleased with its smooth operation, earning a few compliments from the VAS team. Peer voting in the galleries, and online, is open to all MSWPS members. The award will be presented at the Christmas Luncheon on 3rd December.
Please support the demonstrating artists by coming along to enjoy their presentations.
During October, you can visit the East Melbourne Library at 122 George Street, just a couple of blocks from Ola Cohn House. Archivist Robyn Pridham has collated an excellent display of MSWPS history. Three sculptures by Ola Cohn, Kate Howard and Tas Wansbrough are featured.
Wishing all October born members a Happy Birthday.
