MSWPS: Changing Perspectives 2025
24 Sep 2025 – 5 Oct 2025
Opening Event Thursday 25 September from 7pm - 9pm
Location: Frater, McCubbin, & Hammond Galleries
Feature Image: Walk in the Wetlands, Janine Good
Temptation, Carole Milton
In 2025 the Melbourne Society of Women Painters & Sculptors celebrates 120 years since the first group exhibition in 1905.
Founded in 1902 by former students of the National Gallery of Victoria Art School, MSWPS continues to support women artists through community, exhibitions, and advocacy. Notable past members include Violet Teague, A.M.E. Bale, Ethel Carrick Fox, Sybil Craig, Valda Cumming OAM, and Dr. Juliette Peers, whose book More Than Just Gumtrees documents the society’s contributions to the Australian art landscape from 1902 to 1993.
A special Tribute Section of this year’s exhibition will honour the life and work of Susan O’Brien (1947–2025), a talented painter and cherished member of MSWPS since 2005.
Artworks may be purchased at the exhibition or online at www.mswps.com.au until 31 October. Artist’s profiles/ biographies may also be viewed on the website.
About the Judge
We are honoured to announce that Kelly Gellatly, Chair of the Sheila Foundation, will serve as one of the judges for this year’s exhibition.
“Kelly is passionate about facilitating and encouraging the broadest possible access to the arts, particularly contemporary practice, and supporting the leadership potential of women in the arts.”
Kelly will be joined by Joanna Bosse, Curator, Bayside Gallery, bringing a distinguished panel of experts to assess this year’s award-winning works. “Joanna Bosse has been Curator of Bayside Gallery since 2016. She has held curatorial roles at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne, and Queensland Art Gallery.”
Official Opening
The official opening night will take place on Thursday 25 September from 7–9 PM, across the Frater, McCubbin, and Hammond Galleries in the National Trust and heritage-listed Victorian Artists Society building. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists, engage in conversation, and celebrate women’s artistic achievement in a warm and inclusive environment.
Untitled, Sarah Anthony
Special Talk
The 2025 Key Speaker is Eileen Mackley AM, who will be interviewed by Ron Smith OAM. 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.
This is a free event on Wednesday October 1 at 1:30, followed by Devonshire Tea.
Artist Demonstrations
In addition to the exhibition, visitors can attend live artist demonstrations on Sunday 28 September with Kate Howard and Saturday 4 October, with Jan Martin. Both demonstrations start at 1:30pm.
Wine Vessel 5, Kate Howard
Deconstructed, Angeline Bartholomeusz
Servicing A Hudson Bomber 1942, Jarvis Sue
Acknowledgment of traditional owners.
We would like to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land on which our building stands, their leaders, past, present and emerging.