Wilgie Sketchers Club - En Plein Air

In 2022 The West Australian Society of Arts will reintroduce the Wilgie Sketchers Club back to WASA.

The West Australian Society of Arts is the oldest art society in WA, tracing its beginnings back to 1889 when it existed as the Wilgie Sketchers Club.  Wilgie being the aboriginal work for red ochre found in WA's remote North West.

The present society was incorporated 1896.  The founding members of the Sketching Club included Lady Forrest (wife of the Premier) Margaret Hamersley, Herbert Gibbs, Henry Prinsep, George Temple-Poole and Bernard Woodward (who late became the first Director of the WA Museum and Art Gallery).

2023 WATTLE DAY – Plein Air Competition

2nd of September 2023

The City of South Perth Historical Society has kindly invited the Western Australian Society of Arts to host an En Plein Air competition as part of their Wattle Day in Windsor Park Heritage and Art Fair. Wattle Day will be held on Saturday, the 2nd of September in and around Heritage House (Gallery & Cultural Centre) in South Perth. South Perth holds a special place in WASA’s history. This was where many of the founders of the Wilgie Sketching Club (later to become the West Australian Society of Arts) lived and painted.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The competition is open to all artists and all mediums. You do not have to be a member of the WASA (though we would love you to be).

The Plein Air runs from 9 am until 1 pm. This gives the judge and general public a chance to view and vote. Don’t forget the City of South Perth Historical Society will be hosting lots of activities and events during the day.

All artists must pay, register and have their paper or canvas stamped prior to the event. Our registry is open between 8 am – 9.30 am at Windsor Park under the marque. Look for our WASA’s welcome flag.

The entry fee is $15 per artwork. We will only accept work that has a WASA stamp on the back.

Artists are encouraged to capture South Perth’s local landmarks and landscapes.

WASA will provide a list of areas of note for those unfamiliar with the area.

Artists are also encouraged to bring their easels to display their finished work.

The first prize is $1000, and People’s Choice is $500.

For children under 16, it is free to enter. Please note, an adult must accompany all young children.

The winners will be announced at 2 pm.

Artists can sell their artwork to the public.

LOCATION AND PARKING

The City of South Perth Historical Society is located at Heritage House, 111 Mill Point Rd, South Perth (opposite the Windsor Hotel). There is parking throughout South Perth, but most require purchasing a ticket.

BEVERLEY PLEIN AIR ART CAMP
'WILGIE SKETCHERS CLUB'

Arrive Friday 22nd April
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th April 2022

Beverley is easily accessible from the Perth metro area, about one and a half hours by road. The town has interesting rural scenery and a historical built environment. The town has a very active arts community and we look forward to meeting some local artists.

^{"BEVERLEY STATION ARTS" – GALLERY AND PLATFORM THEATRE
 Plein Air Art Camp in "Beverley"}

•  ^{Arrive Friday,  April 22nd, check-in at the Beverley Station Gallery and your self-booked accommodation.} 
• ^{Introductions, meet and greet, dinner at one of the hotels (typical country pub menu).}
• ^{Day One, Saturday 23rd April.   Painting in the main street and other town scenes.}
• ^{Day two Sunday 24th April.  Paint at Avondale, a historic farm 6km west of town.} 
• ^{The original land allotment and homestead of Governor James Stirling, recently a research farm and now a museum farm.}
•  ^{Dinner at one of the hotels (typical country pub menu).}
• ^{Depart for home Sunday 5.00 pm.}

^{FOR ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS}

• ^{http://www.beverleywa.com/stay.html}
• ^{Make sure to check out the freshly built cabins at the caravan park.}

INTRODUCTION TO PLEIN AIR PAINTING

• ^{This is intended to be a low fuss, casual participation pilot event.}
• ^{For any that are interested in an Introduction to Plein Air Painting,  Alan Pickering is willing to do a short workshop on Friday 22nd April} 
• ^{Alan can also provide some outdoor some outdoor painting boxes for you to trial.} 

Artwork by Alan Pickering - En Plein Air