Victorian Artists Society

The Victorian Artists' Society is set to announce the inaugural prestigious Victorian Artists' Society Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award next week at 7.00pm on Tuesday 22 November 2016.

The late Mavis Little with her grandchildren on the staircase at the Victorian Artists' Society

Sponsored by The Little Foundation, the Award honours the memory of Mavis Little - Lindy, Paul and David Little's mother, and her love of art and active involvement for over twenty-five years at the Victorian Artists' Society.

President of the Victorian Artists' Society, Eileen Mackley said Mavis Little was a long term valuable supporter of the Victorian Artists' Society, working on a voluntary basis as a hostess for exhibitions and openings.

"Mavis proudly supported exhibiting artists being responsible for many sales made during exhibitions. The sponsoring of this Award by The Little Foundation adds an important personal significance to the Victorian Artists' Society Artist of the Year Award.

"The Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award, with a $10,000 prize for the winner, has sparked an increase in membership of the Society, which has risen to just over five hundred active members."

To be eligible for the Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award artists must be members of the Society and are required to have their work chosen for two out of three select exhibitions.

Ms Mackley said thirty three artists, with a wide variety of styles, techniques and subject matter have made the competition strong for the prestigious prize.

The Artist of the Year Award was introduced in 1973 by Robert Miller, Artist and Society Councillor and this year will see the 44th winner of the Award.

The artists participating in the Award include: Julian Bruere - Ted Dansey - Rachel Dettmann - Betina Fauvel-Ogden - Louise Foletta - Adam Frith - Nell Frysteen - Jennifer Fyfe - Ray Hewitt - Cosmin Hrincu - Mary Hyde - Don James - Adrian Johnson - Jane Jones - Gwendoline Krumins - Joseph Luczynski - Barbara McManus - Carole Milton - Nathan Moshinsky - Tim Murphy - Vivi Palegeorge - Des Parkin - Heather Peberdy - Matthew Petrucci - Robyn Pridham - Bob Senior - Clive Sinclair - Gregory Smith - Shirley Straford - Erica Wagner - John Wakefield - Ray Wilson and Ben Winspear.

The 2015 winner of the Victorian Artists' Society Artist of the Year Award was Jennifer Fyfe from Camberwell.

The Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award Exhibition will open on Saturday 19 November with the winner being announced at the official opening at 7.00pm Tuesday 22 November 2016.

The Victorian Artists' Society Mavis Little Artist of the Year Award Exhibition
sponsored by The Little Foundation
Saturday 19 November - Tuesday 6 December 2016
Opening Night: Tuesday 22 November at 7.00pm
Gallery: Frater, Hammond and McCubbin

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