Mosman Art Society

Two exhibitions

We have had an outstanding exhibiting year. Our two exhibitions, at the Moulton Galleries and at the Mosman Art Gallery were first class. Both in the heart of Mosman, they both helped to promote our Society as a group of innovative, creative and high quality artists. We are concerned that we maintain high standard in presentation of work at our exhibitions . These two significant events, this year, certainly assisted to enhance our reputation for high quality as well as diversity in our art work. The exhibitions also honoured our inclusive policy to show the work of the amateur beginners as well as the established professionals who make up our membership. Mr Tony Geddes, the Director of the Mosman Art Gallery has generously written to us in the following terms:

“On behalf of the Mosman Council,  I would like to thank the Mosman Art Society for participating in the 2007 Mosman Festival. The exhibition, “Mosman Moments” made an important contribution to the Festival program by showcasing the diverse talents of local and regional artists to the entire community. Please convey my sincere appreciation to the members of the Mosman Art Society for a commendable exhibition, which captured so many wonderful aspects of life in Mosman. May I also compliment the relevant members of the Society who provided their necessary organisational skills and commitment to ensure the exhibition was realised with a minimum of fuss. These members made life for the Gallery staff relatively easy and ensured a smooth and seamless operation.”

Tuesday Evenings

This year we have been privileged to have had high quality input from five  exceptionally talented speakers and demonstrators.

20 February Brian Agnew who wondrously painted in acrylic, a breathtaking snow landscape scene, usually regarded by most painters  as being a  difficult subject.

15 May Anthea Boesenberg demonstrated printmaking by use of a small press brought to the gallery for the occasion, and lucidly explained the various techniques used by printmakers by reference to her own work and others.

19 June Carlos Barrios led us in a participatory seminar on drawing freely and expressively. He talked about his own artistic career from his early childhood and was an inspiration to us all. This all took place sheltered from howling winds and rain that beat upon the Grand Hall of the Mosman Gallery. Only a few could brave the elements unleashed upon Mosman on that terrible night. We aim to invite Carlos again at a time when the weather is more clement.

4 September Ann Cape drew a large group eager to learn from an artist who has rightly earnt pre-eminence in the art world of Sydney and beyond. Ann commenced by introducing us to a human skull she was given some years ago. She drew our attention to the correct proportions of the human head which should always be factored into our portraiture drawing or painting. She then posed her husband, Bill who she painted for about an hour to produce a masterly sketch in charcoal.It was fascinating to watch the skilful accuracy and care employed to produce a masterly result.

23 October Dr Garry Darby spoke to a record attendance on the subject “Heidelberg at Curlew Camp”. Dr Darby’s photo presentation gave an overview of the “Bohemians in the Bush”, the Impressionist painters who dwelt and worked and played at Curlew Camp, Sirius Cove and Edwards Beach, with a flow of insightful comments about the paintings produced by Streeton, Roberts, Conder, Ashton, Buvelot and a host of others and anecdotes and tales as to their antics. This was the beginning of “en plein air”(or “outdoor”, if you prefer English) painting. Our Patron, Paul Delprat, from the floor, enriched our evening even more, with personal and amusing anecdotes relating to these interesting times.

Gratitude

It must be said that these exhibitions and events do not just happen. There is much planning, organisation, correspondence and many phone calls to get this programme into place in addition to the ongoing work of keeping financial and membership records in order, preparing publicity, promotion, information answering queries, attending meetings, managing exhibitions where needed,  printing material, planning and anticipating, getting press and other publicity, conceiving ideas and just talking. I wish to express my gratitude to members of the Committee who have, through the year, shared in the carrying out of these various tasks. Thankyou also to Ray Johnson for designing the Moulton invitation.  Thankyou Ernie Gerzabek for effectively maintaining our web site through the year.

I must particularly thank Shirley Perrett for her persistent and untiring work over the past two years to author and publish “Mosman Art Society the First Years”. It is a quality production lovingly and expertly prepared and has been already an effective instrument in reminding many of the residents of Mosman and beyond of the work of the Society within the cultural life of our community. Concerning Shirley’s work, Tony Geddes has also encouragingly written:

“I .. congratulate Shirley Perrett for her publication about the history of the Mosman Art Society. It is a valuable record of the Society’s operations and achievements, which demonstrates the important role it plays in the cultural life and development of Mosman.”

We are also grateful to the Perrett family members, who are professionally engaged in the publishing business, for the enormous contribution they have given to the project. At the launch of the book at the opening of the Mosman Spring Festival, thankyou also to our Patron Paul Delprat, for the kind words of encouragement. On that occasion, the Society presented Shirley with a cheque as a small contribution towards the substantial cost incurred in bringing the book to fruition. Thankyou, Shirley for your labour of love on behalf of the Society.

Members will already be aware that our Treasurer, Barbara Wade has indicated her intention to resign. Thankfully, she is prepared to remain on the committee as a member, but the present plan is that she will discontinue as Treasurer as from 30^th June 2008. We are pleased to say that one of our current members has agreed to step into Barbara’s shoes as from 1^st July. An announcement concerning this will be made at a later stage. In any event, this will be Barbara’s last Annual Meeting and the only one in the past 12 years which she has not been able to attend. She had other commitments which made it impossible for her to be at the meeting. Few of us may realise the enormous load she has taken upon her shoulders over the past 12 years. She has not only carried on the usual role of Treasurer, but also looked after new memberships, renewals as well as managing the mechanics of Tuesday meetings, Exhibition submissions, printing and mailouts of the newsletter and publications and a host of other incidental tasks that keep us running smoothly. That is why, she was addressed in one letter from a member, as “the Treasure, Mosman Art Society”. I never did find out who it was who wrote that envelope to us! Whoever it was, he or she was unerringly insightful.

Our priorities

Our primary task as a Society, is to provide for our members maximum opportunity to exhibit art work in a professional and appropriate manner. That is why we have two regular exhibitions each year. My aim is that we should expand our exhibition events. I also would like to improve our service to members in various ways and do some things which will add value to our membership and make it even more worthwhile to be a member of this Society. Our committee is asking itself over and over: What more can we do? What can we do to improve what we are doing? Are we doing it right? For example, this year, we have had some first class Tuesday nights but some members do not find it convenient or possible to attend meetings at night. Should we have some functions in daytime hours and, if so, when and where? We would like to hear from you, our members, on this.

Your committee

It is gratifying that our membership is steadily increasing at a healthy pace. However, it also has to be noted that, for various reasons, the numbers of people to keep us running seems to be presently decreasing. You will note that we have a vacancy on the committee. This is not a good sign.  As we grow in numbers, day to day management becomes more demanding upon our committee. It seems that we will need to augment our committee numbers soon, and, we would then be on the lookout for members who might be able to join us. We can only continue to do new or additional things if we have people on the committee who are able to carry on the work

A peaceful, creative and safe Christmas to you all.

Gerald Christmas 

What happened on the 25th November???

Yes, we did hear that Australia has elected a new Government. But, you may not have also heard that Mosman Art Society Inc has elected a “new” Committee. It is almost the same as the old committee which might indicate our stability and stamina as an organization. It was a fruitful and enjoyable meeting. A pre-prepared questionnaire was circulated and completed as a means of eliciting frank opinion as to how we are faring as an organization in pursuit of the objectives for which we were founded. The Committee is now collating the results. We will report later. The elected committee is as above. Regrettably, Julie Keech was not able to continue. Thankyou, Julie for all the good work.