THE HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY
Originally established as the Wonthaggi Art Group, (WAG) the Bass Coast Artists' Society (BCAS) encompasses all forms of the arts within the Bass Coast Shire. The first meeting of WAG was held in August 1968 and the first exhibition and sale of paintings was in December of that year. At that time WAG did not have a home of its own and conducted workshops and exhibitions in a range of locations. During the 1990s several former coalmine and railway buildings were vacant and becoming delapidated.
The potential of the Railway Goods Shed as an arts centre was seen and with the assistance of a grants from Arts Victoria and other areas the art group was able to restore the former Wonthaggi Railway Goods Shed to a viable and useful Community Arts Workshop and it become the permanant home of the Society. Over the forthcoming years successive committees have restored the building further and it is now a modern complex with regular workshps and demonstrations and a permanant members gallery. The Society's Annual Easter Art Exhibition is also conducted in The Goods Shed Art Space.
The year 1992 resulted in the amalgamation of municipalities in the region and in 1994 the members resolved to a name change that truly
reflected the philosophy and membership base. The Bass Coast Artists' Society Inc. has grown in strength, and continues to develop and expand on its Constitution which was formed in co-operation with the Council of Adult Education way back in 1967.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Philosophy and Aims of the Society
To encourage members of the Society and the Community, to recognise and to develop the creative, artistic and cultural parts of their being.
Objectives of the Society
To encourage community involvement in all aspects of the arts and fine art in particular.
To give young people an opportunity for creative development by making the Society welcoming towards youth.
To arrange and provide workshops, lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions and to invite professional artists and tutors to teach and demonstrate.
To provide a regular and informative newsletter advising of all matters relating to the Society's activities with profiles of relevant people within the arts fields, hints and articles for both the learner and experienced artists together with an array of information of current and forthcoming events.
Objective of the Website
The object of creating a website for the Bass Coast Artists' Society is to better inform members of the activities of the Society and to provide an ongoing snap shot of the Society for other interested people. Ongoing activities will be updated on this website on a regular basis and a Members Gallery will display an array of paintings provided by members. The site will also provide the facility for members and galleries to provide direct access to their own web sites where applicable.
The potential of the Railway Goods Shed as an arts centre was seen and with the assistance of a grants from Arts Victoria and other areas the art group was able to restore the former Wonthaggi Railway Goods Shed to a viable and useful Community Arts Workshop and it become the permanant home of the Society. Over the forthcoming years successive committees have restored the building further and it is now a modern complex with regular workshps and demonstrations and a permanant members gallery. The Society's Annual Easter Art Exhibition is also conducted in The Goods Shed Art Space.
The year 1992 resulted in the amalgamation of municipalities in the region and in 1994 the members resolved to a name change that truly
reflected the philosophy and membership base. The Bass Coast Artists' Society Inc. has grown in strength, and continues to develop and expand on its Constitution which was formed in co-operation with the Council of Adult Education way back in 1967.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Philosophy and Aims of the Society
To encourage members of the Society and the Community, to recognise and to develop the creative, artistic and cultural parts of their being.
Objectives of the Society
To encourage community involvement in all aspects of the arts and fine art in particular.
To give young people an opportunity for creative development by making the Society welcoming towards youth.
To arrange and provide workshops, lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions and to invite professional artists and tutors to teach and demonstrate.
To provide a regular and informative newsletter advising of all matters relating to the Society's activities with profiles of relevant people within the arts fields, hints and articles for both the learner and experienced artists together with an array of information of current and forthcoming events.
Objective of the Website
The object of creating a website for the Bass Coast Artists' Society is to better inform members of the activities of the Society and to provide an ongoing snap shot of the Society for other interested people. Ongoing activities will be updated on this website on a regular basis and a Members Gallery will display an array of paintings provided by members. The site will also provide the facility for members and galleries to provide direct access to their own web sites where applicable.
NOW AND THEN
The Goods Shed Art Space building was the original Railway Goods Shed used to store and disseminate goods of all descriptions brought from Melbourne for private and business use. After the close of the Wonthaggi railway line, the building became deralict and was on the point of demolition. With grants from local and state governments and diligent work by members, the building was refurbished for use as an arts workspace.. Much of the building and surrounds was still in a state of disrepair and it has taken successive committees and members to bring it to the standard that it is today. As detailed on other pages, the Goods Shed is used for a variety of arts related functions and the Bass Coast Atists' Society is a vibrant Society and its membership is open to all members of the wider community.
Picture on left shows the modern amenities that are now available to members. See other pages for books and DVDs library and regular functions.
Shown below is the original state of the building and the constant work in progress.
Picture on left shows the modern amenities that are now available to members. See other pages for books and DVDs library and regular functions.
Shown below is the original state of the building and the constant work in progress.
