Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors

The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (MSWPS) began in 1902 as a monthly gathering of eight former students of Frederick McCubbin from the National Gallery School which members called the Students' Art Club. It is known that among these founders were Daisy Stone, Tina Gowdie, Annie Gates, Kate Allan, Ella Thorn, Henrietta Maria Gulliver and a Miss Stock (otherwise unidentified, who died in 1906). In 1905 they added the indigenous word "Woomballano" (meaning either 'everlasting beauty' or 'search for beauty') to identify their Art Club, changing its title to The Women's Art Club in 1913 then to the Melbourne Society of Women Painters in 1930. The present designation was adopted in 1954.{{Citation |author=Peers |first=Juliet |title=More than just gumtrees: a personal, social and artistic history of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors |date=1993 |publisher=Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors in association with Dawn Revival Press |isbn=978-0-646-16033-7 |author-link=Juliet Peers}}

Many of its early members were plein air painters and identified with the Heidelberg School, which was regarded widely as a male group but which involved many women. 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. The Society was less overtly feminist than its Sydney counterpart The Society of Women Painters (later named Women’s Industrial Arts Society) which was founded in 1910 in reaction to the discrimination of male-dominated juries of art institutions and societies.{{Citation | author1=Gaze, Delia | author2=Mihajlovic, Maja | author3=Shrimpton, Leanda | title=Dictionary of women artists | year=1997 | publication-date=1997 | publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn | isbn=978-1-884964-21-3 | page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofwome01gaze/page/126 126] | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofwome01gaze/page/126 }} During the Second World War the MSWPS opened volunteer headquarters at Grosvenor Chambers (9 Collins Street, Melbourne) where they made and sold handcrafts and art to raise money for the war effort.{{Citation | author1=Taylor, Alex | author2=State Library of Victoria (Melbourne) | title=Perils of the studio : inside the artistic affairs of bohemian Melbourne | publication-date=2007 | publisher=Australian Scholarly Publishing | isbn=978-1-74097-149-2 | page=25 }}

MSWPS has met at heritage-listed Ola Cohn House 41-43 Gipps Street, East Melbourne since the sculptor's death in 1964. She was President of the Society from 1948 to 1964.

Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors members included:

• Cristina Asquith Baker, painter, print-maker (1868–1960)Hammond V and Peers J 1992, Completing the picture: women artists and the Heildelberg era, Artmoves, Hawthorn East, pp. 32-33.
• Alice Marian Ellen Bale (1875–1955),Joyce McGrath, 'Bale, Alice Marian Ellen (1875–1955)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bale-alice-marian-ellen-5113/text8543, published in hardcopy 1979, accessed online 17 November 2014. Studied at National Gallery School 1895–1904, from 1917 to 1955 a consistent exhibitor with the Women’s Art Club {{cite web|url=http://www.daao.org.au/bio/alice-marion-ellen-bale/biography/|website=daao.org.au|title=Alice Marion Ellen Bale :: biography at|accessdate=14 April 2020}}
• Margaret Francis Ellen Baskerville sculptor (1861–1930)Ken Scarlett, 'Baskerville, Margaret Francis Ellen (1861–1930)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/baskerville-margaret-francis-ellen-5153/text8637, published in hardcopy 1979, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• 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{{Citation | author1=Forwood, Gillian | author2=Bryans, Lina | title=Lina Bryans : rare modern, 1909-2000 | year=2003 | publication-date=2003 | publisher=Miegunyah Press | isbn=978-0-522-85037-6 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/linabryansraremo0000forw }}
• Ethel Carrick (1872–1952), exhibited with the society in the 1940s and 1950sPeers, Juliet. "Fox, Ethel (Carrick)". In Dictionary of Women Artists: Artists, J-Z, ed. Delia Gaze. pp. 545-46.
• Ola Cohn (President of the Society from 1948 to her death in 1964{{Citation | author1=Woollacott, Angela | title=To try her fortune in London: Australian women, colonialism, and modernity | publication-date=2001 | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=978-0-19-514268-6 | page=210}})
• Amalie Sara Colquhoun painter (1894–1974)
• Valeria Helen Correll, sculptor, ceramicist (1886–1973){{Cite web|title=Artists: Valeria Correll|url=https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/artist/3026/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=National Gallery of Victoria}}
• Sybil Craig (a foundation member){{Citation | author1=Ritchie, John | author2=Langmore, Diane | title=Australian dictionary of biography. Volume 15, 1940-1980, Kem-Pie | publication-date=2000 | publisher=Melbourne University Press | isbn=978-0-522-84219-7 |page=261}}{{Citation | author1=Speck, Catherine | title=Beyond the battlefield : women artists of the two World Wars | publication-date=2014 | publisher=London Reaktion Books | isbn=978-1-78023-374-1 | page=161}}
• 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.daao.org.au/bio/maude-edith-victoria-fleay/biography/|title=Maude Edith Victoria Fleay, biography at Design and Art Australia Online|website=www.daao.org.au|language=en|access-date=29 March 2018}}
• 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{{Cite web|url=https://www.daao.org.au/bio/frances-margot-freeman/biography/|title=Frances Margot Freeman, biography at Design and Art Australia Online|website=www.daao.org.au|language=en|access-date=29 March 2018}}
• May Butler George (1881–1973), painter and sculptor, joined the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors 1913 and exhibited with it in 1923{{cite web|url=http://www.daao.org.au/bio/may-george/biography/|website=daao.org.au|title=May George :: biography at|accessdate=14 April 2020}}
• Gwendolyn Muriel Grant (1877–1968)Keith Bradbury, 'Grant, Gwendolyn Muriel (1877–1968)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grant-gwendolyn-muriel-10342/text18309, published in hardcopy 1996, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Henrietta Maria Gulliver (1866 – 1945)
• Norah Gurdon (1882 - 1974)
• Margaret Gurney
• Pat Hillcoat (1935 – 2022)
• Polly Hurry
• Marguerite Henriette Mahood, ceramicist (1901–1989)Alisa Bunbury, 'Mahood, Marguerite Henriette (1901–1989)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mahood-marguerite-henriette-14706/text25849, published in hardcopy 2012, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Maidie McGowan (1906–1998){{Cite web|title=Maidie McWhirter MACGOWAN (1906-1998)|url=http://www.artprice.com/artist/72590/maidie-mcwhirter-macgowan?l=en|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Artprice.com|language=en-EN}}
• Leopoldine Mimovich OAM (1920–2019){{Cite web |date=2020-01-03 |title=Leopoldine Mimovich OAM 1920 - 2019. |url=https://mswps.com.au/leopoldine-mimovich-oam-1920-2019/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors |language=en-AU}}
• Anne Montgomery
• Hilda Rix Nicholas
• Helen Elizabeth Ogilvie (1902–1992)
• Esther Paterson (1892–1971) President 1966Tom Frame, 'Paterson, Esther (1892–1971)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/paterson-esther-10701/text18233, published in hardcopy 1996, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Margaret Pestell (1894–1984){{Cite web|title=Margaret Pestell|url=https://www.daao.org.au/bio/margaret-pestell/|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Design and Art Australia Online}}
• Ada May Plante (1875–1950)Jennifer Phipps, 'Plante, Ada May (1875–1950)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/plante-ada-may-8062/text14067, published in hardcopy 1988, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Jane Rebecca Price (1860– 1948)
• Elma Roach (1897-1942){{Cite news |date=1923-08-23 |title=Art Notes. |pages=12 |work=The Age |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203628851 |access-date=2023-07-31}}
• Florence Aline Rodway (1881–1971), showed occasionally with the MSWPS, but was more closely associated with the Society of Women Painters in Sydney, before she moved to Hobart, she was a foundation member of the SWP in 1910Sue Backhouse, 'Rodway, Florence Aline (1881–1971)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rodway-florence-aline-8251/text14449, published in hardcopy 1988, accessed online 17 November 2014. and a member of the exhibition committee in 1910–12 [http://www.daao.org.au/bio/florence-aline-rodway/biography/?]
• Dora Serle (1875–1968)State Library of Victoria, Aitken, Richard (2007) The Art of the Collection: Issue 94 of Miegunyah Press series. Melbourne University Publishing president of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters in 1933–34Geoffrey Serle, 'Serle, Dora Beatrice (1875–1968)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/serle-dora-beatrice-8555/text14725, published in hardcopy 1988, accessed online 17 November 2014. and represented them on the National Council of Women [http://www.daao.org.au/bio/dora-beatrice-serle/biography/?].
• Clara Southern (1860–1940)Anne Duke, 'Southern, Clara (1860–1940)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/southern-clara-8590/text14999, published in hardcopy 1990, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Isabel May Tweddle (1875–1945)
• Dora Wilson (1883 – 1946)
• Eveline Winifred Syme (1888–1961)Stephen Coppel, 'Syme, Eveline Winifred (1888–1961)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/syme-eveline-winifred-11814/text21139, published in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Stephanie Taylor (1899–1974){{Cite news |date=1923-08-23 |title=Art Notes. |pages=12 |work=The Age |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203628851 |access-date=2023-07-31}}
• Violet Teague (1872–1951)
• Jessie Constance Alicia Traill (1881–1967)Mary Alice Lee, 'Traill, Jessie Constance Alicia (1881–1967)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/traill-jessie-constance-alicia-8840/text15511, published in hardcopy 1990, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Isabel May Tweddle (1875–1945) joined the Women's Art Club in 1926, president 1930–31 and 1941–45.Juliet Peers, 'Tweddle, Isabel May (1875–1945)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/tweddle-isabel-may-8891/text15617, published in hardcopy 1990, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Janie Wilkinson Whyte (1869–1953)
• Dora Wilson (1883–1946) Mary Alice Lee, 'Wilson, Dora Lynnell (1883–1946)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wilson-dora-lynnell-9134/text16113, published in hardcopy 1990, accessed online 17 November 2014.
• Marjorie Woolcock (1898–1965){{Cite web|last=Woolcock|first=Marjorie|title=Boats|url=https://artsearch.nga.gov.au/detail.cfm?irn=179212|access-date=2021-03-17|website=National Gallery of Australia}}

File:Clarice Beckett - Princes Bridge.jpg|[http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1798478 Princes Bridge], Clarice Beckett, State Library Victoria

File:Ada May Plante - Glenferrie Railway Station.jpg|[http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1725819|Glenferrie Railway Station], Ada May Plante, State Library Victoria

File:Dora Wilson - St Francis' Church, Melbourne.jpg|[http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1787905 St Francis' Church, Melbourne], Dora Wilson, State Library Victoria

File:Henrietta Maria Gulliver - The Hawthorn Path.jpg|[http://search.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/f/1cl35st/SLV_VOYAGER1667160 The Hawthorn Path], Henrietta Maria Gulliver, State Library Victoria

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Art societies

Category:Arts organisations based in Australia

Category:Women's organisations based in Australia

Category:Organisations based in Melbourne

Category:Arts organizations established in 1902

Category:1902 establishments in Australia

Category:Arts in Melbourne

Category:Australian artist groups and collectives

Category:Women in Melbourne

Category:Australian women artists

Category:Australian women sculptors