Ben Winspear works in oil, watercolour and more recently sculpture, and has been painting professionally for over ten years. Ben is a tutor at the Victorian Artists' Society and has held several successful solo exhibitions.

Ben Winspear, Winner of the Inaugural Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award, and fiancee Tina;
James Little, the late Mavis Little's grandson, and Eileen Mackley, President of the Victorian Artists' Society at the Award presentation last night.

Eileen Mackley, President of the Victorian Artists' Society said, the sponsorship of the prestigious 'Artist of the Year Award' by The Little Foundation followed an approach by Paul Little, well known Melbourne business identity and philanthropist.

Mr Little had been introduced to the workings and the social fabric of the Victorian Artists' Society by his mother Mavis, who enjoyed in assisting in gallery duties and who was always successfully encouraging visitors to purchase members works.

Members of the Little Family and representatives of The Little Foundation at the presentation of the inaugural
Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award to Ben Winspear, (centre) with fiancee Tina

Several members of the Little Family attended the opening of the exhibition and the announcement of the winner of the inaugural Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award being presented by grandson James Little.

Other Awards presented during the evening included the Noel Waite AO Exhibitors Choice Award presented to Des Parkin and the Sculptor of the Year Award to Judith Leman. The Design Framing of Essendon Award was presented to Ted Dansey. Signatory Membership was awarded to Jan Martin and Fred Toumayan.

Ms Mackley said the renewing of a unique relationship between the Little Family and the Victorian Artists' Society through the Victorian Artists' Society Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award has provided the current generation of artists with a special link to our brushstrokes of history and a great aspiration in the future.

The Victorian Artists' Society Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award Exhibition
sponsored by The Little Foundation
Saturday 19 November - Tuesday 6 December 2016
Gallery: Frater, Hammond and McCubbin

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Victorian Artists' Society - Mobile: 0417 329 201