Congratulations

Valda from her Instagram page

Congratulations to Valda Cuming for being awarded an OAM for her service to the Visual Arts.

Valda has been a member of the Association of Sculptors of Victoria since the late 80’s and an active committee member until 2002 having been President from 1992-3 and Vice President and Exhibition coordinator for many years, involved in setting up and manning many exhibitions.

She was awarded Honorary Life membership of the Association in 2013 and has won our Margaret Gunnersen William Hoggan Thomas Award, most recently in 2010. 

Until recently she has entered all our Exhibitions including The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Herring Island Summer Arts Festival and our Annual and Award exhibition, contributing greatly to the running and high standard of all.

Apart from the Association of Sculptors, Valda has been a mainstay of the Beaumaris Art Group, The Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors and a member of the Eclectic Exhibiting Group and the Contemporary Artist Society Victoria. These groups are all run by volunteers and Valda has always been respected and given her time generously without monetary reward.

Valda has taught art in all forms- Sculpture painting and Ceramics, enthusiastically willing to share the abundant knowledge and technical skills she has acquired over many years.

She is generous, caring and an inspiration to many people, drawing out their talent and giving them encouragement to pursue their enjoyment in the arts.

Her work is alive, whimsical and a representation of the amusing, generous, complex person she is. She has a broad range of technical skills letting nothing beat her as she is now making digital art on her iPad.

Also an accomplished sailor Valda when travelling the world with her husband carried her sketchbooks with her and made visual records of their travels. She maintains that she has made a piece of art work every day.

Valda Cuming has contributed greatly to the arts in the community and is most deserving of an award within the Order of Australia. WELL DONE

Gillian Govan
President Association of Sculptors Victoria (2012-2018)