The brushstrokes of history linking two of the most important historical sites on Albert Street, East Melbourne has been the catalyst for a unique art exhibition and art prize by the Victorian Artists' Society and Mirvac.  

Eileen Mackley AM, President of the Victorian Artists' Society said The Eastbourne Art Prize is a first in the Society's 149-year history where members were invited to create works for a major residential project - The Eastbourne.

"This created a major opportunity for many of our artists with 25 artworks selected for The Eastbourne Art Prize.

"The winning artworks in The Eastbourne Art Prize will be acquired by Mirvac to adorn the walls of The Eastbourne in public spaces."

Ms Mackley thanked Mirvac for the encouragement of the artists and the opportunity for the Victorian Artists' Society to promote the valuable part the arts can play in engaging the community and creating a special sense of place and quality within buildings.

The brushstrokes of history paint a rich canvas of famous Australians and a story of how the two buildings, the Victorian Artists' Society and The Eastbourne are close to each other in Albert Street, East Melbourne.

Mirvac, with Freemasons Victoria, are developing The Eastbourne on the former site of the Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) and Dallas Brooks Hall overlooking the Fitzroy Gardens.    

Walter Withers, one of Australia's famous artists, in 1904-5 was elected as President of the Victorian Artists' Society. He was also the Art Master at the Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) which originally occupied the site of The Eastbourne.

Presbyterian Ladies' College was founded in 1875 in East Melbourne and among the girls in the first intake of 60 was a young lady Helen Mitchell, who later became one of the most famous women in the world - Opera singer Dame Nellie Melba. The Melba Music Conservatorium was housed in the building of the Victorian Artists' Society in Albert Street, East Melbourne from 1915- 1975.

Staging The Eastbourne Art Exhibition and The Eastbourne Art Prize coincides with both sites undergoing major building works. The Victorian Artists' Society is undergoing a major heritage restoration to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2020.

The Eastbourne, a new building has totally transformed the former Dallas Brooks Hall site into one of the most prestigious addresses in Melbourne overlooking the historic Fitzroy Gardens, the site of many an artist picnic and paint out over the past 149 years.

Entries for The Eastbourne Art Prize will be displayed in the Frater, Hammond and McCubbin Galleries from Friday 15 March - Tuesday 19 March 2019, with all works, apart from the winning paintings, being for sale.