PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE August 2009

The AGM passed with re-election of all Committee members plus Mark Cowie as an Ordinary Member on Committee. We now need to fill all the remaining positions for running the ASV and again request volunteers.

The current position as at the date of this newsletter is:
Committee: John Bishop (Secretary), Mark Cowie (Ordinary Member), Patrick Culshaw (Treasurer and Public Officer), Michael Meszaros (Vice-President), Marija Patterson (Ordinary Member), Geoff Williams (President).
Coordinators: Mark Cowie (Tesselaar Exhibition); Patrick Culshaw (MIFGS Exhibition); Gillian Govan (Activities); Jenny Rickards (Herring Island Exhibition, Newsletter and Website); Kay Salehi (Membership).

Coordinator Positions vacant: Annual Exhibition; Donor Funding; Publicity.
In addition, we will need a Coordinator for Activities from January 2010, and the Newsletter, as soon as possible.
To avoid curtailment of Association exhibitions and activities, members are asked to check their diaries to try to help the above as much as possible – in meeting the work needs as well as filling vacant positions.

Last year we took three priorities at the beginning of the term of office of the new Committee. The following are presented as priorities for the forthcoming year:
• Expand Coordinator and Committee numbers;
• Re-design and re-build the ASV web site;
• Build a complete set of ASV policy guidelines;
Alberto Martinez, an IT web-site specialist, has been appointed as a first step to meet the second priority above.

We also aim to have a little fun and do some sculpture. Members are reminded of Mark Cowie’s Tesselaar Exhibition opening 16 September.

The first Committee meeting in the new term is Wednesday September 2, so if you have a burning issue please contact a Committee member ASAP.

Geoff Williams

ASV Diary Dates

Meetings are held in the Boroondara Community Arts Room, rear 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn and start at 7:30pm.

Annual Subscription
Renewals 30th June

Monthly Meeting 9th September
There are two reasons to meet in September - one is to arrange car pooling to get to Lorne to visit Qdos gallery on the following weekend. Our last meeting was rather long and official though of course necessary being the AGM so in September I would like to see as many members as possible especially new members at a light relaxed social evening. NO BUSINESS! Just bring folios, example of work, photos etc. and have a nice evening chatting about sculpture . During the evening Jenny Rickards will give a short talk about Herring Island and Patrick Culshaw will be available to talk about Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

19th September
Check the information in this newsletter - Graeme Wilkie has invited us to Qdos Gallery in Lorne - car pooling can be arranged at the meeting on 9th September.

Tesselaar Sculpture Exhibition
16th September to 13th October

Monthly Meeting 14th October
To be announced.

Tesselaar Sculpture Prize

16th September to 13th October
Open daily 10am to 5pm
357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan Victoria
(Melway Map 123B5)
Sculpture Among the Tulips

Renowned sculptors from across Victoria and Interstate will exhibit their works between the colourful beds of the tulips. Visitors will be able to choose their favourite for the People’s Choice Award. The sculpture that wins the Tesselaar Sculpture Prize will become a permanent feature at Tesselaar Gardens and can be visited year after year.

Summary of Annual General Meeting Minutes 12 August 2009

Geoff Williams as President and Chairman opened the meeting at 7.45 pm with 14 members and 1 guest present. There were three apologies.
Kevin Free was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the ASV, carried by acclamation.
Michael Meszaros spoke about Kevin’s long and valuable service to the Association and Sculpture in general, including his demonstrations at MIFGS and the number of people introduced to sculpture through Kevin’s workshops and ongoing encouragement and support. Michael also mentioned the consistently high standard and integrity of Kevin’s work and the achievement of living as a professional sculptor for many years.
Kevin responded, telling the meeting how precious the ASV is and that its strength is its eclectic nature. He said the Association nurtures developing sculptors and Kevin has enjoyed seeing people evolve. Kevin commented that to survive as a sculptor you must teach and he has enjoyed passing on his knowledge at workshops and at 70 projects in 50 schools. He is now enjoying semi retirement which is allowing him to work on things he wants to do.

The President presented his report which was accepted.

The Treasurer’s report was presented by Patrick Culshaw and accepted. The result for the year ended 30 June 2009 was a loss of $291.74, largely due to the loss on the 2008 Annual Exhibition which resulted from the increased prize money offered. There were some errors in the accounts issued previously with the minutes due to computer problems and Patrick apologised for these. The Treasurer and President both encouraged questions on the accounts and said more information will be included in the detailed minutes.

Sub-Committee reports were presented as follows:
Membership by Ronit Freedman (membership at end of June ’09 was 127 compared to 130 at the end of the prior year)
2008 Annual Exhibition by Bronwyn Culshaw
2009 Annual Exhibition preliminary report by Marija Patterson
MIFGS Exhibition by Patrick Culshaw
Herring Island Exhibition by Jenny Rickards
Newsletter by Jenny Rickards
Website by Jenny Rickards
Tesselaar Exhibition by Mark Cowie
All reports were accepted and more information will be included in the detailed AGM minutes.

Elections were held for Committee positions, the results being:
President: Geoff Williams elected unopposed
Vice President: Michael Meszaros elected unopposed
Secretary: John Bishop elected unopposed
Treasurer: Patrick Culshaw elected unopposed
Ordinary Committee Members:
Marija Patterson elected unopposed
Jenny Rickards nomination withdrawn
Mark Cowie elected unopposed

The meeting discussed and voted on several motions:
Motions 8.1 (Membership Clause), 8.2(Consumer Affairs Model Rules) and 8.3 (Public Fund) were carried.
Motion 8.4 (Membership Clause change) was defeated.
Motions 9.1 (membership fees), 9.2 (Committee meetings) and 9.3 (written arguments) were defeated.
There was 1 question on notice regarding the ASV prize at the 2008 Annual Exhibition. Marija Patterson is to discuss this issue with Jenny Rickards and prepare a report.
Other business included a discussion on:
Succession planning
The shortage of volunteers
The date for the Christmas Party
The tabling of a letter from Betty Collier thanking the members for awarding her the Margaret Gunnersen and William Hoggan Thomas Award and thanking the Committee and exhibition organisers.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.45pm

The financial report can be downloaded from
www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au/fin_rep_2008-9.pdf
and will be posted to members receiving the newsletter by post.

ASV Committee 2009 - 10

President
Geoff Williams bh 9670 0824

Vice President
Michael Meszaros bh 9853 9610

Treasurer and Public Officer
Patrick Culshaw 9857 9153

Secretary
John Bishop 9885 2660

Committee members
Marija Patterson 9489 4537
Mark Cowie 5348 5696

Opportunities and News

Activities Officer
In the absence of other volunteers I have agreed to temporarily continue organising activities for our monthly meetings. This has always been an enjoyable task for me though at times I have been disappointed by the lack of attendance especially when I have organised special speakers and set
up power point presentations etc. It would be great to see more members especially as the warmer months approach. For members who are unable to drive perhaps others could help out. I am certainly happy to pick up members if they are in my area. Our last meeting was rather long and official though of course necessary being the AGM so in September I would like to see as many members as possible especially new members at a light relaxed social evening. NO BUSINESS! Just bring folios, example of work, photos etc. and have a nice evening chatting about sculpture. During the evening Jenny Rickards will give a short talk about Herring Island and Patrick Culshaw will be available to talk about MIF&GS. I will endeavour to have a visiting speaker in October. If anyone has any ideas or contacts they think would be interesting I would be delighted to hear from you . Any other suggestions for activities would be most welcome.

Gillian Govan

My quotation for the month: Grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish --MICHELANGELO

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Visit to Qdos
Saturday the 19th is the day that begins the 6th Annual Sogetsu Ikebana Workshop and Exhibition at Qdos.
Ceramic works by Graeme Wilkie and Sogetsu by Christopher James and his students.
(Christopher recently assisted in the creation of a major works in the sculpture garden at the NGV and
appeared on the ABC Arts Show talking about Sogetsu and that particular piece)

The Exhibition:
Sunday 20th Sept - 4th Oct 2009 9:00am -5:00pm daily

The Saturday workshop is only for practitioners of Sogetsu, the gallery is open to the public as the works are assembled around the ceramics. This annual exhibition concludes of the annual making/firing cycle of the ceramic studio, all the works in the show are fresh from the recent anagama wood firing.
www.woodfiredceramics.com.au
Visiting sculptors can enjoy the new works in the gallery and grounds and Graeme is happy to show all his studio and kilns.
After, perhaps have a bit to eat at the Qdos cafe.

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Yarra Valley Open Studios
Announcing the forthcoming, inaugural OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND, which will be held over the days of 18th, 19th and 20th September ’09. Lindy Burns is going to launch the event at the opening of an exhibition to be held at Sticks Winery in Yarra Glen on Saturday 5th September at 7.30pm. We’ve all been asked to submit one work each to this event, so it’ll be a snapshot of what one can expect to see at our studios.
It will be wonderful to see you, if you are able to come across during those three days, and it’ll be greatly appreciated if you could spread the word.
I also recommend the just-opened BEN QUILTY exhibition that opened yesterday at TarraWarra Museum of Art, on the Healesville-Yarra Glen Road (open Tues-Sun 11am- 5pm)

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Public Art Commission - Expressions of Interest Open
City of Hobsons Bay - Public Art Commission
Expressions of Interest are invited from national artists/ artist teams for a major artwork to be located within a new entry forecourt to be built in early 2010 at Laverton Train Station, Melbourne.
Budget: $85,000
Download the Project Brief
http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/files/LavertonStationProjectBriefEOI.pdf which details the requirements for making an Expression of Interest.
More information and a copy of the brief can also be obtained by calling Tania Blackwell on tel: 03 9932 1000 or via email:
arts@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Submissions are due by 5.00pm, Friday, 18th September, 2009.

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Don't miss CAS Annual Exhibition 7 - 19 Sept. Eckersley’s, 97 Franklin St, Melbourne
OPENING: Tuesday, 8 September, 6pm to 8pm
VENUE: 97 Franklin St, Melbourne
EXHIBITION DATES: 7 - 19 SEPTEMBER
HOURS: Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm, Sat 11am - 5pm, Sun 12 noon - 4pm
Judge: Graham Fransella

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Entries are Now Open for the 2009 Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize.
Robe plays host to its second Southern Ocean Art Prize to be held over the Melbourne Cup long weekend from 30 October – 3 November 2009.
The Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize is an open, non-acquisitive art prize attracting artists and audiences of all ages from around Australia. All participating artists have the chance to compete for significant cash prizes in their chosen fields and also present new works for sale and exhibition.
This year the Robe Southern Ocean Art Prize offers five award categories:
2-Dimensional - $1000 cash
3-Dimensional – $1000 cash
Creative Photography - $1000 cash
People’s Choice – $500 cash
Children’s Art
Entries close on 30 September 2009.
Entry forms can be obtained by visiting the website:
www.robesouthernoceanartprize.com.au or by contacting
Art Prize Coordinator - Alex Graham
alex@smalltownproductons.com.au / 0421 388 080

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Bulleen Art and Garden
BAAG is offering a full program of workshops and exhibitions - to keep up with them you need to check their web site:
http://www.gallery.baag.com.au/
Some of the workshops are:
• Mosaics - with Sandra Bain
• The Art of Bonsai With Bill Tainsh
• Limestone Sculpture with Jenny Whiteside
• Ceramic Sculpture with Meredith Plain

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EXHIBITIONS WORTH SEEING!-Augustine Dall’ava until 11th August 2009 McLelland Gallery and Sculpture Park 390 Mclelland Drive Langwarrin

Toyota Community Spirit Gallery Presents Indoor Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition Commencing 7th October to March 2010 Port Melbourne

KEVIN FREE - HONORARY MEMBERSHIP PRESENTATION

Preceding the business of the Annual General Meeting, Michael Meszaros made a speech about Kevin and his contribution to sculpture in Victoria, and particularly the Association of Sculptors of Victoria. (See article in Sculpere March 2009 edition – article commencing on bottom of page 3). Please revisit this article.
Michael then presented Kevin with an Anna Meszaros designed bronze plaque for this occasion.
Kevin responded, and also advised us that he will be coming down to demonstrate at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in 2010. This was particularly well received as Kevin is in semi-retirement these days and not travelling down to Melbourne very often. Jenny Whiteside has assumed his teaching role at Limestone Workshops etc.
Kevin is now devoting his time to producing stone sculptures e.g. marble, which take a little more time, and he is enjoying himself immensely. His output has dropped from 80 to 30 pieces a year.
He brought pictures of his superb “Persephone”, a reclining nude atop two marble love seats. This piece was done for the International Sculpture Symposium at the Barossa Sculpture Park.
Website: http://www.freewebs.com/sculpturepark/2008symposium.htm
Kevin and Rose travelled down from Landsborough for the occasion. Kevin had recently returned from a Buddhist Conference in the UK, and it was great to see them.
I know that Graeme Cameron was delighted that his efforts to have Kevin recognised as a Life Member for his hard work on behalf of the Association came to fruition. Graeme and Kevin have been friends for a long time and Graeme was responsible for providing me with Kevin’s background information for the Kevin Free article.

Bronwyn Culshaw

PS Kevin Free will be having his annual Christmas Exhibition 5th and 6th December 2009.

New ASV Members

New ASV Members! This month we welcome Monica Mauer

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Kay Salehi is gradually picking up the reins as membership co-ordinator, and looks forward to getting to know the members over the next few months.
Kay can be contacted using her email form on the website and her home telephone is 03 9808 4056.
The email address is best, as work commitments mean that home telephone calls may not be answered for a day or so.We express thanks to Ronit for maintaining the position from 2005 - 4 years!

Wanted: ASV Exhibition Co-Ordinator for Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2011

The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show (MIFGS) has been recognised by Tourism Victoria as one of the State’s feature ‘Hallmark’ events and is promoted extensively throughout Victoria, Australia and overseas. It joins with other hallmark events such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Australian Grand Prix, the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the Australian Open Tennis, as a significant tourism draw card for our State.
This major ‘Hallmark’ event continues to attract large numbers of local and international visitors to Melbourne to see the very best of what Melbourne has to offer. The MIFGS Organising Committee is now seeking bookings by exhibitors for March 2010.
The ASV will once again be organising a Major Sculpture exhibition at the event.
Patrick Culshaw has agreed to carry on for 2010 (unless there is a determined and experienced Volunteer to take over!) in which case Patrick would be happy to assist.
However what we really need is a volunteer to run 2011 and work as Patrick’s assistant this next year. Other assistance is also needed.
If you need any information about what is involved you can talk to Patrick on 9857 9153.

Letters to the Editor

To The Editor,
Your comments in the last edition of Sculpere in relation to membership and your reference to Rotary entirely miss the point.
Organisations only exist because of their Statement of purpose. It is why they are there. Changing the Membership clauses in no way alters the reasons for incorporation.
Rotary have in fact changed their membership rules in a number of ways, not the least of which was to open it up to women. Originally, there was only meant to be one representative of each trade or profession in the area that could join a club. Over the years they have found their way around this restriction to such an extent that you could find 5 or 6 from one profession in the one club. In so doing it has not changed Rotary as you suggest it would. Most will say Rotary is far better because of these changes.
Organisations (implicitly) ask for one thing when a member joins. Will you accept and support the principle aims and purposes of the organisation?
At the ASV our General Purposes are
1. To promote the creation and appreciation of sculpture in the State of Victoria.
2. To stimulate, plan, coordinate and generally advance sculptural activities in the State of Victoria.
3. To promote the welfare and interests of sculptors, students and teachers of sculpture in the State of Victoria.
4. To promote and foster the interests of the members of the Association.
None of the above require an individual to be a Sculptor.
I am one who has certainly “supported” Sculpture for the last 6 odd years. Any pretence I harbour of being a Sculptor only started two years ago.

Patrick Culshaw

Sculptors and their Favourite Tools

Sarah Sheppard is publishing a book about sculptors and their favourite tools. She is asking sculptors to submit photos of themselves, their tools, their studios. There is no charge to be included, but she will try to sell you a copy of the book when it is published, but there is no obligation to buy one.
If you are interested, email Sarah at sarah@mymarketingmanager.com.au
and ask her to email you the info and entry form or phone 07 5492 4921.

Bush fires and DGR status

There was an article in the newsletter last month regarding putting together a project using our Deductible Gift Recipient Status to assist a yet to be defined community sculpture project in the bush fire affected community. I have had no feedback from members and this response from the committee.
“The proposal was considered by the ASV Committee. There was however a feeling that the financials had to be spelt out, and people found to organise it, and we do not have enough people for existing projects. Furthermore, supporting a fire recovery project does not really come under our objectives unless it was directly related to promotion of sculpture, so the tax deductibility of the donation to ASV is questioned.”

Jenny Rickards 9836 2738

Newsletter

And as of this issue you will need to find a new newsletter editor.