By arts editor Helen Musa

As the venerable Artists Society of Canberra races towards its annual Spring Exhibition, members have something to crow about.

For while economic pressures of the Great Depression and the onset of World War II caused the Society to go into recess in 1934, it was founded in June 1927, making next year its 100th birthday.

When I catch up with current president Katherine Buchanan, she tells me that there will be a lot of centenary events next year, including a major exhibition to be held at Belconnen Arts Centre.

The society was originally established by early Canberra architects, draughtspeople and surveyors who moved to the new capital city. From the outset, ASOC was a prestigious organisation full of spirited members who stepped into various roles and often attended by governors-general, Buchanan tells me.

It is notable that the incumbent Governor-General, Sam Mostyn, is the society’s present patron.

Nowadays, it offers its active members workshops, opportunities to exhibit and, through its headquarters at M16 Artspace in Griffith, the chance to rub shoulders with a wide network of artists working in many genres.

Of course, there’s no getting away from it. The main focus is painting, and this year there are ten sections in two-dimensional art: acrylics, digital art, drawing, mixed media, oils, pastels, printmaking, watercolour, gouache and miniatures.

On the opening day, November 7, the spring exhibition will feature more than 270 works by over 70 members in the morning. However, it will close momentarily in mid-afternoon to prepare for the gala evening event attended by Arts Minister Michael Pettersson, to which all members of the public are invited.

Once the prize announcements are made and celebrated, there will be artists’ demonstrations by an oil and landscape artist as well as digital artists. Then, on November 10, visitors can observe a portrait and life-painting workshop in the space.

During the week-long celebration of art, unframed works and cards by ASOC members will also be on sale.

The Artists Society of Canberra Spring Exhibition, Kingston’s Fitters Workshop, November 7-15, closed November 9.

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