Victorian Artists Society (VAS) Less Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Victorian Artists Society?
We are a group of people from all around Victoria who have a passion for visual art and enjoying the benefits of the society, its fellowship and sharing with others in activities, meeting together, pursuing our art and socialising. The Victorian Artists Society being a Company Limited by Guarantee was incorporated on the Seventeenth day of September 1895. A copy of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Victorian Artists Society is available from the VAS office. The Society was given a Crown Land Grant in 1888 and the building designed by Richard Speight for the Society, was erected in 1892.
2. How do I become a member?
You will need to fill out a nomination form, have two members propose you then send it to The Secretary via a Council member or Post the form. The address is listed below.
3. Being new a member, how would I meet others and learn?
VAS members have a real opportunity to meet like people at many of our activities including: painting & drawing classes, exhibitions, paint outs or smoke nights. VAS classes have excellent people teaching, catering for all levels in oils, pastel, watercolour, mixed media and drawing mediums. Life portrait group, only for members (who can take a friends) are also available. We can even arrange someone to meet you and help you in getting to know every one. Contact our secretary who will arrange for the relevant convener to contact you. (See: Contacting VAS for contact details)
4. What can VAS do for me as an artist or aspiring artist?
VAS Members have the advantages of unique resources especially for learning and exhibiting their work. Members are also able to meet like people at all levels from aspiring beginners to highly acclaimed professionals. We have excellent teachers in a wide range of mediums, techniques and styles available (See separate sheets on classes and workshops).
5. How can I join a VAS class and what sort of classes are there?
Contact our Secretary, explain your needs, pay your fees and have yourself booked in to your appropriate class. Classes are run at various times weekdays & evenings plus weekends. We have classes in the following: oils, pastel, watercolour, mixed media and drawing mediums. Also available: Life Portrait group pay as you go, only for members (who can take a friends). Portrait class in pastels and oils. (See separate sheets on classes and workshops). See <Classes Page> of our website.
6. How can I exhibit my work as a VAS member?
There are a number of ways VAS members can exhibit their work:
10. How can I attend VAS paint outs, especially as I don’t know anyone?
VAS paint out details are arranged by our outdoor activity convener and shown in the VAS Newsletter. We hold 10 a year, 2 of which are trips, normally Thursday to Sunday, with the other 8 on the last Sunday of the Month. You can just turn up if you want, friends are welcome, or you can ring our Secretary for details, also check our website under the <Outdoor> menu, and ask him to arrange with the convener for someone to meet you and help you in getting to know every one.
11. What are "Smoke Nights"? I certainly do not smoke?
Smoke Nights are social nights for members with some wine and nibbles. We normally have guest speaker and they are held in the Cato Gallery, 6.30pm. Last Friday of the Month. The name is a hang over from what they were traditionally called many years ago but it is certainly a non-smoking social evening.
12. What is the Council at the VAS?
Council is the name of the body of people who organise and run the VAS. Council is made up of 15 exhibiting members and 3 non exhibiting members. They meet on the first Wednesday of each Month excepting January. Members are entitled to stand for election to Council in either Exhibiting or non Exhibiting categories. Nominations received prior to Annual General Meeting.
13. What does it mean "Exhibiting" and "Non Exhibiting" members?
An exhibiting member is someone who has been hung in one of the Ordinary Members Exhibitions in the last 2 years. Non Exhibiting Member is someone who has not been hung in the last 2 years.
14. How can I learn more about VAS?
Call into the home of VAS. Address below or go to our web site at: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~vicart
15. How do I contact VAS?
You can contact VAS by phone or fax, post, email or web site, details below:
- 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne VIC. 3002
- Email address: vicartists@vicnet.net.au
- Internet address http://www.vicnet.net.au/~vicart
16. Tell me more about the VAS Council.
Members are entitled to stand for election to Council in either Exhibiting or non Exhibiting categories. Nominations received prior to Annual General Meeting .
Contact Secretary for details
*Term of office - *Councillors 3 years *President 1 year *Treasurer 1 year
17. How do I find out about the Annual General Meeting?
As advertised in the Programme of Exhibitions Usually last week in November.
18. Conditions
of Entry - Ordinary Exhibitions
Works
submitted for Ordinary exhibitions, must not have been previously exhibited
at a VAS exhibition or other group exhibitions at the VAS galleries.
Only one N.F.S work per member will be exhibited each year. Works submitted for sale
Minimum price for is $250.
Each work must have the artist’s name price and title written on the back and a label showing the same details attached by a good length of string to the top right hand side of the frame
Size Limit - Paintings which are too wide or heavy to be handled by one person will be rejected.
Frames and Mounts - Works must be framed. Very thin or metal frames may not be able to be hung without prior preparation by the ‘artist’.
Frames must be new or in new condition.
Works may be rejected because of unsuitable or amateurish mounting and framing.
Conditions of Sale - 25% commission will be charged for each sale and the balance paid to the artist by cheque within fifteen working days.
Insurance/Collection - The Society has limited insurance cover for works included in an exhibition or left in its care.
Works not accepted for hanging in exhibitions after the published closing time.
Unselected works may be collected between 10am- 4pm weekdays only.
Selected works should be collected at the advised date and time or between 10am-4pm weekdays only.
No responsibility can be accepted for works not collected within two weeks of the closing date of an exhibition.
Any member whose work is selected to hang at an Ordinary exhibition of the Society shall be regarded as an exhibiting member (for the following two years) and as a consequence eligible to stand for election to Council and to vote at General Meetings of the Society.
Unsuccessful
exhibitors
The
Exhibitions Committee will organize and conduct constructive "appraisal
sessions" for those members who have been unsuccessful exhibitors at
either the Society’s selected exhibitions, or in the request for a solo exhibition.
19. Further answers about paint out days & trips?
How far from the CBD are they held? Being a state Society these activities vary each year, but generally are held within 1 hours drive from Melbourne.
Does it cost anything for the day? These activities are free except where there may be an entrance fee to a park etc.
What about the weather? The activity goes ahead rain, hail or shine. The majority of locations have shelters near by. Every programme includes both city and country sites
Who can attend? All artists, members’ families and friends are welcome.
What does one need to take with them? Painting gear and a cut lunch.
What time do we meet? We meet at 10am and paint for the morning and meet again for lunch around 1pm. We usually finish our day about 5pm
Is there tuition on the day? There is no teaching given but plenty of advice if you need it.
When are they on and how do I find them? The Newsletter and the VAS Program has them listed with dates, times and Melway references. Dates are also published in our web pages under the <Outdoor> menu.
20. Are there any Scholarships available at VAS?
Yes. The Norma Bull Art Scholarship Award for Naturalistic Portraiture. This is in accordance with the bequest of the late Norma Bull, the Scholarship is open to all art students enrolled in a Tertiary Art Course or classes conducted by an approved Art Association or teacher in Victoria. The Newsletter and the VAS Program has them listed with dates, times and Melway references.
This is a biennial scholarship.
The winning portrait will become the property of the Trustees or alternatively may require the winner to complete a portrait of an approved subject during the period of the scholarship.
21. Does the VAS have a library or archive?
Yes. VAS has a comprehensive library and archive:The Victorian Artists Society has a Members Library with over 400 volumes, established in accordance with the Articles of Association in the 19th century.
Library
The Library has recently been catalogued and the books numbered and labelled. To make the books available for loan would require adoption of a policy and the assistance of volunteers other than existing Council and staff members in the meantime the books can be accessed by application to the Secretary.
While donation of books and catalogues are always encouraged and welcomed, shelf space constraints require some degree of selectivity.
Preferred materials would be:
Books/catalogues by or about past and present members.
Reference books - i.e. dictionaries of artists and painting techniques
Histories of Australian and world art, including sculpture.
Videos on all aspects of Art.
Members themselves are reminded that in the Queens Hall at the State Library they have available the largest and most comprehensive art library in Australia.
Archives
The major research collection of VAS archives is located in the LaTrobe Library at the Victorian State Library (Manuscripts collection) and Arts Library (catalogues and index to exhibitors, news cuttings etc).
Supplementary material is being organised by the VAS for addition to the State Library of Victorian records in the future.
Photographs of historic interest relating to the Society and its members would be welcomed.
22. Is the VAS building heritage listed?
The VAS building is on the register of Heritage Victoria and the National Trust.
23. Tell me more about the VAS Artist of the Year?
To be eligible, members must have shown in two Ordinary exhibitions. By invitation which is earned by submitting work of the highest quality at the Ordinary exhibitions. Artists receiving the highest number of votes from the other exhibitors, earn the right to submit up to three works for the AOTY Exhibition.
Voting slips are available during each Ordinary Exhibition.
Exhibitors in the Award Exhibition vote to select the winner.
Procedure
The nominations (votes) from three ‘Ordinary’ VAS exhibitions are the base for the final selection of the Artist of the Year Award candidates
All votes are of equal value with one vote automatically awarded to the voter.
The VAS Secretary be the returning officer and be empowered to co-opt a Non Exhibiting Council Member to act as scrutineer
That members chosen to participate in the ‘Award Exhibition’ are then required to proceed to the election of the Artist of the Year’ using a preferential voting system
The voting system is to be clearly displayed on the front of the voting slip
The Award Exhibition is to be the Society’s final function of the year
The Artist of the Year Award is to consist of the Medallion, and a VAS Exhibition (14 days) in the Cato Gallery under the following conditions:
The VAS provide exhibition facility.
The winner must hold his/her exhibition prior to the next award exhibition
The VAS retains the right to set the exhibition date in consultation with the artist
Are there any publications about the Vas?
Yes there are a number of publications as well as a quarterly Journal, which is issued to all financial members, providing them information regarding past and future exhibitions as well as many art related items of interest. Newletters older than 12 months may be freely downloaded in PDF format from this link.
7. What awards are there for members?
There are a number of awards for VAS Members and include:
i) Exhibition Awards:An Award for Landscape oil painting (Members Autumn Exhibition), Deputy Lord Mayors Award (Members Spring exhibition), VAS Artist of the Year Award (Invitation Exhibition)
ii) VAS Member Awards: Signatory Award. Artists must have been selected for the Ordinary Exhibitions 12 times or more during a period of 5 consecutive years. Fellowship Award. By recommendation to Council. Fellowships are awarded to:
(a) artists of outstanding, and or, significant achievement in the practice of art
(b) Teachers who are exhibiting members and have given long and continuous service to the Society. Limit of 30 members at any one time. (Exceptions - Honorary Awards)
The Council makes other awards to distinguished members or other artists of note in the community at large.
8. Are there benefits to country members?
With the long distances for deliveries and collections to VAS exhibitions the following benefits are available
Country members may leave their works at the office several days prior to delivery and with confirmation with the Secretary may collect when suitable after an exhibition.
Country members have the opportunity to join forces with their city colleagues on the monthly Paint Out’s advertised in the newsletter. See the<Outdoor> menu of our website. Often these venues are within easy reach of country members.
Country members have the added privilege of an Annual Exhibition at the VAS which is sponsored by the Society.
Country members receive a $10 discount on the annual subscription
9. I have heard that some works are not accepted at VAS exhibitions, what happens?
Selection and Hanging Procedure - Ordinary Exhibitions.
All entered paintings are displayed around the floor area of all the galleries on the day of hanging.
Each exhibiting member of Council is invited to select eight paintings of their choice, hooks are attached and the paintings placed in positions appropriate to their size and quality on the gallery wall. The balance of unhung paintings continue to remain in clear view against the walls.
When all wall spaces are filled, the paintings are scrutinised by the councillors in small groups at a time and if a dispute arises the council members cast a vote as to whether or not the disputed painting remains on the wall. A rejected painting is turned face to the wall and will not be reselected for that exhibition. A second selection from the remaining works may be conducted by the Convenor of the Exhibitions by conferring with the exhibiting members of council. The rejected painting is replaced with a paintings selected from those still remaining on the floor.
In the event that a challenged paintings is tied in a vote, the President/Deputy shall have a casting vote. Before a painting is rejected Exhibiting Members of Council who have voted for rejection must be prepared to state the reasons clearly and professionally.
When the selection is completed the Exhibiting Members of Council survey all exhibits.
The Convenor of Exhibitions Committee will appoint two Council members to each gallery to finally arrange exhibits on the walls.
These duties will be rostered to give each Council member the necessary experience.
Other members remove rejected paintings into storage and prepare the galleries for the opening.
The final arrangement of all three galleries is considered by the President and/or Deputy, Secretary and Convenor who will authorise the commencement of numbering and listing by the Councillors appointed to arrange exhibits in the Gallery.
This procedure is considered one of the most democratic and fair systems in the selection for paintings in an art exhibitions. As each painting is seen and considered many times, by many eyes before it is finally rejected.