Women artists’ society brings 117th annual exhibition to East Melbourne

Australia’s oldest surviving women’s art society will celebrate more than 120 years of creativity, friendship and professional support when it presents its 117th annual exhibition in East Melbourne this October. 

The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors was founded in March 1902 by eight former students of the National Gallery School of Melbourne, who resolved to establish a club based on “mutual help and empathy” and the continuation of old friendships.

Society president Denise Keele-Bedford told Inner City News that spirit of connection remained central to the organisation’s purpose.

“They decided to come together and form a group really so that they could have camaraderie and be able to meet, talk, trial things and generally build friendships and support for each other,” she said.

At a time when women artists were often dismissed as hobbyists or expected to prioritise domestic responsibilities, the Society offered an important professional and social network.

Ms Keele-Bedford said those pressures had changed over time, but the need for support had not disappeared.

“Still today, women artists do need that support from each other,” she said.

That sense of community is reflected in the Society’s social gatherings, workshops, life-drawing sessions and annual exhibition program. Ms Keele-Bedford recently attended an outing to Heide Museum of Modern Art where a new member told the group she had joined specifically to meet other artists, discuss work and build friendships.

The Society has also maintained a strong connection to East Melbourne through the former home and studio of celebrated sculptor Ola Cohn at 43 Gipps St.

Cohn, a former Society president who studied in England under Henry Moore, is best known locally for creating the Fairies Tree in Fitzroy Gardens. She converted former stables in East Melbourne into her home and studio before leaving the property to the Centre for Adult Education on the condition that the Society could continue using it.

Now managed by Box Hill Institute, the building remains a base for monthly meetings, life drawing, workshops, open studio days and access to the Society’s small lending library.

Ms Keele-Bedford said the organisation’s continuing use of the building had also helped secure maintenance and improvements to its interior.

The Society’s long history includes former members such as Violet Teague, A.M.E. Bale, Ethel Carrick Fox, Sybil Craig and Valda Cumming OAM. Its contribution to Australian art from 1902 to 1993 is documented in Dr Juliet Peers’ book, More Than Just Gumtrees.

That legacy will continue through Changing Perspectives 2026, running from October 7 to 18 at the Victorian Artists Society Galleries in Albert St in East Melbourne.

The exhibition will feature new works created by members over the past two years, spanning painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, digital art, assemblage and small installations. Around 100 works are generally included, with each member able to submit up to two pieces.

Ms Keele-Bedford said the exhibition was not selected, allowing members at different stages of their careers to take part.

“For some artists, they’re not all that often putting their work out into the public realm, and so it’s an opportunity for them to learn just by having an exhibition and being in an exhibition,” she said.

Members also gain experience in hanging and presenting a show, while receiving feedback from established practitioners.

This year’s judges are artist, academic and curator Dr Catherine Bell and The Art Room founder Erika Gofton. Live demonstrations will also be presented by Dina Goebel on October 14 and Steph Wallace on October 17.

Ms Keele-Bedford said visitors could expect a broad mix of traditional and contemporary work, as well as opportunities to meet participating artists, who will staff the exhibition throughout its run.

“The public are seeing what is coming out today from women artists,” she said.

The official opening and awards presentation will be held on October 10 at 2pm across the Frater, McCubbin and Hammond galleries. Admission is free. •