Artists Society of Canberra
| Main Focus: | Painting |
| State: | Australian Capital Territory |
| Region: | Canberra Region |
| President: | Alan J. Jones |
| Number of Members: | Approximately 300 |
| Established: | 1927 |
| Exhibitions: | Yes |
| Art Shows: | Yes |
| Tuition: | Yes |
| Workshops: | Yes |
| Art Prizes: | Yes |
| New Members | Welcome |
| Membership Fee: | $66 per annum |
Group Information
The Society currently has approximately 300 members. Members have been meeting to share their ideas, enthusiasm and inspiration in art now for almost 90 years.
The Society’s objectives are to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the visual arts, to maintain a supportive and vibrant community among members, and to provide disseminate information about all art events and activities.
The Society organises art activities in supportive group settings (regular Workgroups and Workshops), and exhibitions to display members’ artwork, the latter further supporting and promoting the visual arts in the ACT and region.
ASOC offers two major exhibitions each year comprising the “ACT and Region Catchment Groups Art Exhibition and Competition’, which is an event OPEN to allcomers; and the Annual “Member’s Spring Exhibition”, which is strictly for members. We also organise an annual “Summer Art Experience” involving art tutors recruited Australia wide open to all interested. Numerous impromptu exhibitions are also held annually by individual members and groups
Some members of ASOC are professional artists who also offer classes and workshops to share their skills and knowledge.
The Society’s studio housed in the M16 ArtSpace, Canberra has excellent natural lighting, air conditioning, sink, refrigerator, supplies of chilled and hot water, a sound system and slide/video projector. High quality easels are made available to members, along with variously sized tables, and seating for up to 60 people. Member’s art work can be displayed in the studio using a variety of hanging systems.
For more information see our Web and Facebook pages, eg: http://www.asoc.net.au/
Committee Members
President
Alan J. Jones
Treasurer
Dian Jones
Secretary
Kathleen Mills
Committee Members
Public Officer: Susan Reynolds
Committee Member: Maureen Lawrentin
Committee Member: Ian Lester
Committee Member: Mike Lester
Committee Member: Sue Cook
Committee Member: Tracy Ann Collins
Membership Information
The group meet on a monthly basis to organize their various activities. They are a friendly society who are always ready to welcome new members. They offer local and distant membership for those too far away to attend regular meetings and events.
Members receive discounts at art materials stores, including Eckersley’s, Pepe's Paperie, and Riot Art and Craft in the Woden Shopping Mall. Most framing stores in the region will also give discounts to members on custom framing.
Members also receive a bi-monthly newsletter which is their main means of communicating with members. It can be either mailed or downloaded via their website.
The Society’s activities for members include untutored work groups which operate through the week from Monday to Saturday. These work groups provide a friendly environment in which members learn from one another. Currently the work groups are focusing on flora and fauna; portraits and life drawing; abstract and experimental; pastels; watercolour and printmaking. Some work groups include sessions of plein-air painting and visits to galleries.
Membership fees;
$66 for full local membership or $44 for distant membership per year.
Student membership (18 to 24 years) is $33 and Family membership is $103.
An additional $5 administration fee applies to new members.
Membership of ASOC is open to all people over 18 years of age.
Events
Exhibitions
For many years ASOC has one major annual exhibition held in spring for their members to exhibit a wide range of artworks including oils, acrylic, pastel, watercolour, drawing, mixed media, and printmaking.
Exhibitions scheduled for 2017 are:
- Allsorts Exhibition 9 - 25 March
- The ACT and Region Catchment Groups Art Exhibition and Competition 18 - 25 June
- The ASOC Member’s Spring Exhibition 19 - 25 September.
Tuition
Workshops
The Society organizes several learning activities throughout the year, such as their Summer Art Experience which is a week of art under expert tuition. They also have other regular workshops and classes which are open to both members and non-members.
For more information see: http://www.asoc.net.au/
Regular Art Classes
Weekly Workgroups
Untutored Workgroups are available to ASOC Members at the M16 Artspace, Griffith. Specific workgroup enquiries should be addressed to the relevant convenor listed below.
MONDAY
Pastel Explorers 9:30am – 1.:30pm
Convenor: Marie Betts mmcbetts@optusnet.com.au (waiting list)
Xperimental Xpression 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Convenor: Sue Cook susicook@tpg.com.au 0413 297 834
TUESDAY
Portrait & Life Drawing 10:00am – 1pm
Convenor: Jim Tweddle jhtweddle@hotmail.com (02) 6247 7769
Fun with Printmaking 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Convenor: Simone Doherty simonemdoherty@gmail.com 0418 234 954 (waiting list)
WEDNESDAY
Ways with Watercolour 10am to 1pm
Convenor: Graham Skyring gwskyring@grapevine.net.au 6241 1036
Drawing Creatively 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Convenor: Tim Hardy timhardy@hotmail.com 02 6258 7178 (full)
Drawing Together 5 – 8pm
Convenor: Selena Smith sidanddave@optusnet.com.au 0407 290 742
THURSDAY
All Comers 9:30am – 12:30pm
Convenor: Elizabeth Schick schickelizabeth@hotmail.com
0403 681 910
Flora & Fauna 1pm – 4pm
Convenor: Gillian Bellas bellasgillian@yahoo.com.au 02 6288 5041
Night Owls 6:30 – 9pm
Convenor: Alan Jones alanjjones@netspeed.com.au 02 6282 5085
FRIDAY
ASOC Contemporary 10am to 4pm
Convenor: Lynn Nicholas nichonline@bigpond.com 0423 626 162 (waiting list)
SATURDAY
Saturday Sessions 1:30pm to 4:30 pm
Convenor: Annie Florence annieflorence2@gmail.com
Contact Details
- Email Address: webmaster@asoc.net.au
- Phone Number: (02) 6282 5085
Address
Studio D
21 Blaxland Cres.,
Griffith ACT 2603
Postal address;
PO Box 3629
Manuka Post Office
ACT 2603