VAS RECOGNISED IN THE VICTORIA DAY AWARDS
The Victorian Artists Society has been awarded The Victoria Day Award for the Arts.
The Victorian Artists Society, the oldest Artists Society in Australia, which opened its historic building at 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne on 27th May 1892, today was recognised in The Victoria Day Awards at a special event at the Melbourne Town Hall.
The Victoria Day Awards are made annually by the Victoria Day Council on 1st July which is Victoria Day. The event is held annually on the day Victoria was founded to celebrate the anniversary of the Separation of Victoria and New South Wales which occurred on 1st July 1851.
Mark Bagally, President of the Victorian Artists Society said, the Victorian Artist Society has continued to play a major role for established artists, art lovers and emerging artists through its strong teaching and highly popular exhibition schedule.
'I’m thrilled to accept this award on behalf of the oldest art society in Victoria and our members.
This is a particularly pleasing award because it acknowledges that we are still as relevant today as we were on formation 154 years ago'.
The longevity of the Victoria Artist Society is due to the thousands of people who have contributed along the journey. From past leaders, councillors, staff and teachers through to members, volunteers, sponsors and donors, all have in no small way contributed to our success.
We are a contemporary society with a proud and celebrated history.
Our foundations are that of a painting and sculpting society, however we are now much more playing host to a broad range of events and exhibitions back to back throughout the year. Our celebrated art school operates from the original studio of the early impressionist painters (our forefathers) and is vibrant and popular.
I’d like to thank the organisers of the award. The trustees of the Victoria Day Council and the Selection Committee for the recognition of the Victorian Artists Society.'
Victorian Artists Society members at The Victoria Day Council presentation for The Victoria Day Award for the Arts at the Melbourne Town Hall.
Back row, from left: Ron Smith OAM HON VAS, VAS Councillor; Ray Wilson VAS FVAS; Paul McDonald Smith OAM VAS FVAS FRSA; Jennifer Fyfe VAS; Nathalie Anne Henningsen VAS Councillor; Lucy Taylor Schmitzer; Kari Lyon, VAS Manager.
Front row, from left: Mark Bagally VAS President; Hylton Mackley AM; Eileen Mackley AM FVAS and Meg Daveron Honey OAM VAS FVAS, VAS Councillor.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith OAM Hon FVAS, Victorian Artists Society - Mobile: 0417 329 201
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.