Armadale Society of Artists president Anna Newbey, treasurer Val Mezger and committee member Sandy Spindler.
Camera IconArmadale Society of Artists president Anna Newbey, treasurer Val Mezger and committee member Sandy Spindler. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Armadale Society of Artists to celebrate 30 years of fine art and friendships

Jessica WarrinerComment News

From watercolours to oil painting, acrylic works and pastels, with a bit of mixed media and drawing on the side, the club is booming.

Treasurer Val Mezger said the group began when the founding members got together and decided they wanted to exhibit their paintings and sell them.

“They started doing it down in the Armadale District Hall, and from there it’s grown and grown,” Ms Mezger said.

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“In 2008, we got the Art House from the MRA and expanded it into a gallery and numbers have increased from about 40 up to 160.”

There are lessons and workshops every day at the society’s arthouse and gallery on Railway Avenue, with many common connections drawing members back.

“It’s the camaraderie, the spirit of the place. It’s the people,” Ms Mezger said.

“It gets hard to stay away actually,” committee member Sandy Spindler said.

President Anna Newbey said the group provided an outlet for many older people in the community to take up a new hobby and meet new people.

“I think it’s a good stepping stone too for older people because a lot of them might do sports when they’re younger, and as they get older they can’t do what they used to be able to do so they go to different types of art,” Ms Newbey said.

Ms Mezger said the society accepted any new members, regardless of their skill level.

“Some of the artists that have joined have gone on to become professionals,” she said.

The artists are looking forward to their 30th anniversary high tea celebration at Armadale District Hall early in July and will be holding another exhibition at the Armadale Shopping Centre in August to show off their talents.

“We had an exhibition in March and sold 106 paintings. We only had it in front of Target and down the mall a bit. All the shops wanted us back because we actually brought business to them. It was really successful,” Ms Mezger said.

To find out more about the Armadale Society of Artists, visit their art house and gallery at 63 Railway Avenue, Kelmscott, call Ms Newbey on 0411 633 015, or visit armadalesocietyofartists.com.au.

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