Honorary and Life Members
Many of MSWPS early members were plein air painters and identified with the Heidelberg School. The interest in the decorative arts at the opening of the twentieth century attracted other members who were significant craftspeople. By the 1920s, the Society was assimilating the generation of professional women artists emerging from the Melbourne National Gallery School, with significant women artists, representatives of both the Meldrum tonal school and modernism, being invited to join.
Current Honorary Members
Dr. Juliette Peers and Joyce McGrath
Current life members
Helen Carter Joined 2001
Carmel Mahony joined 1990
The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors Members has included:
- Alice Marion Ellen Bale (1875–1955), Studied at National Gallery School 1895—1904, from 1917—1955 a consistent exhibitor with the Women’s Art Club
- Margaret Francis Ellen Baskerville sculptor (1861–1930)
- Clarice Beckett (1887–1935) participated in Women’s Art Club shows until the early 1930s.
- Lina Bryans (1909—2000), exhibited 1940—1965 and prominent in the 1960s, resigned 1966, rejoined 1991—. A Modernist associated with William Frater
- Ola Cohn (President of the Society from 1948 to her death in 1964
- Amalie Colquhoun
- Valeria Helen Correll, sculptor, ceramicist (1886–1973)
- Sybil Craig (a foundation member)
- Peggie Crombie
- Janet Cumbrae-Stewart
- Maude Edith Victoria Fleay (1869–1965), Women’s Art Club member from 1929, exhibited with it regularly and was elected a life member in 1964
- Frances Margot Freeman (1895–1977) exhibited with the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors in 1923-26, then again in 1938, and regularly showed work in their annual exhibitions until 1971
- Ethel Carrick-Fox
- May Butler George joined the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors 1913 and exhibited with it in 1923
- Gwendolyn Muriel Grant (1877–1968)
- Polly Hurry
- Marguerite Henriette Manhood, ceramicist(1901–1989
- Maidie McGowan
- Anne Montgomery
- Hilda Rix Nicholas
- Helen Elizabeth Ogilvie (1902–1992)
- Esther Paterson (1892-1971) President 1966
- Margaret Pestell(1894–1984)
- Ada May Plante (1875–1950)
- Florence Aline Rodway (1881–1971), a foundation member of the Society of Women Painters in 1910 and a member of the exhibition committee in 1910-12
- Dora Serle (1875–1968) president of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters in 1933-34 and represented them on the National Council of Women
- Clara Southern (1860–1940)
- Constance Stokes (1903-1991)
- Eveline Winifred Syme (1888–1961)
- Violet Teague (1872–1951)
- Jessie Constance Alicia Traill (1881–1967)
- Isabel May Tweddle (1875–1945) joined the Women's Art Club in 1926, president 1930-31 and 1941-45
- Dora Wilson (1883–1946)
- Majorie Woolcock
Tributes
Joan Richard (1928 - 2022)
Joan was a much-loved member of MSWPS, joining in 1989. She was a long-time Committee Member, three times President and Life-Member. When a sale of Ola Cohn House was proposed a number of years ago, she was instrumental in saving our home. Joan was an extremely talented artist working mainly in watercolour. Teaching art was another talent she possessed. I had the honour to be her student for thirty years at Saturday morning watercolour classes at Malvern Artists Society. Over these years we formed a great friendship, travelling on many painting trips together and it was she who introduced me to MSWPS. The 2022 Annual Exhibition and Christmas Party were notably marked by her absence. Joan will be sadly missed by all. Linda McEwan
Jane Walker (1943-2022)
The notice in The Age, 25 October states: ‘Jane had boundless energy and creativity, which she applied thoughtfully in her life long passion for painting and illustration.’
Jane Walker joined MSWPS in 1991 and contributed as a Committee Member. In More Than Just Gumtrees her biography reads ‘Jane has a longstanding interest in Eastern Brush painting and has studied and worked with Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese calligraphers and painters.’
Ed: I have fond memories of Jane and our conversations on ink wash painting, calligraphy and our many interactions with Asian artists. Committee will send condolences to her family, on behalf of the Society.
Maureen Slatter (1930-2020)
Maureen joined the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors in 1986. She served on the Committee and awarded a Life Membership. Maureen is featured in 'More Than Just Gum Trees' by Juliette Peers as stating 'I aim to interpret and develop what I see, through imagination to a greater or lesser extent, depending upon my purpose. To show that there are different way of perceiving what we call reality.'
Mariette Perrinjacquet (1941-2019)
Mariette was a long standing member of the Women’s Art Registar and the Melbourne Society of Women’s Painter and Sculptors. She has exhibited with the Association of Sculptors of Victoria, Gallery Without Walls, The Eclectics for many years.
Mariette designed the MSWPS logo.
“The concept or general idea behind the design was to honour and promote as well as I could women’s artistic expression.
Playing with a few symbols, positive and negative shapes...and that’s what I came up with!
The left side of the image represents the canvas, the right side a free standing 3D form.
But this is analytical. What is more important is the visual impact of the image, and perhaps the fact that the logo fits into a circle encompassing a harmony and fulfillment we all yearn for.”
Valda Cuming OAM (1929 - 2020)
Valda was a Member of MSWPS since 1995 - A sculptor who used a range of materials including wood, ceramic and stone. She served as a MSWPS Committee member for many years. Valda was committed to her discipline and was awarded an Order Of Australia medal OAM for services to the arts in 2019.
Judith Perrey (1927– 2016)
Jood was a stalwart of the Society, joining in 1961. Since the 80s she held every position on the Committee including President, Treasurer and Secretary. She was a Life Member of the Society. When she was the Editor of the Bulletin, Jood regularly wrote clever poems, preparing the Jood Quiz for Winter and Christmas luncheons and attended life drawing every week.
Judith Wills – (1930 -2016)
Judith was a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society, Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors and was a Fellow of the Victorian Artists Society. She was the recipient of a number important art awards, held several solo exhibitions and her work is held in many private and corporate collections.
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Constance Walker – (1924 -2017)
Connie joined MSWPS in 1985, she had been President of the Victorian Artists’ Society. She also had terms in Office at Waverley Art Society. She was a fine painter and an inspiration to all. Connie was in her 90s and exhibited in both MSWPS exhibitions in 2016.