Aims of the Group
For more than seventy years the Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc. has provided facilities for the promotion of the visual arts, mainly through drawing and painting. It is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation whose main objectives are to provide opportunities for self-education to artists at all stages of their development, who in turn are encouraged to share their skills and knowledge with fellow-artists and, at opportune times, the community.
About Us
History of the Group The Half Dozen Group of Artists, originally members of the Royal Queensland Art Society, was established in 1940 by Lilian Pedersen. The other five members were Mona Elliott (the first chairperson), Frank Sherrin, Rosalie Wilson, Leonard Shillam and Ann Ross. Their first exhibition was held in the Randall Room at the Brisbane City Hall in 1941.
Although it has retained its traditional name of 'Half Dozen', it has, for many years, maintained between one and two hundred members.
Through the nineteen-forties, fifties and sixties this nucleus of six artists was joined by a "younger generation" of aspiring artists, including Lloyd Rees, Margaret Olley, L. J. Harvey, Margaret Preston, Kenneth McQueen, Jon Molvig, Melville Haysom, William Robinson, Donald Friend, Vida Lahey, Daphne Mayo, Roy Churcher, Mervyn Moriarty and John Rigby. These artists were later to become some of the most recognised Queensland artists of our time.
Membership was initially restricted to a maximum of thirty-five. Artists wishing to join were accepted upon invitation and were expected to present a folio of work for adjudication. Today, the criteria for membership centres on an applicant's genuine desire to develop skill and understanding, and if possible, to participate in self-development through the weekly, fortnightly and other workshops provided. The applicant needs the nominations of two financial members and be accepted by the Executive, although this may change at different times. The Group, with Vice Regal Patronage since its inception,
now has a membership well over a 100 artists and is continuing to grow.
In 1975 The Half Dozen Group established its Studio in the "cellar" beneath the church hall of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point. This venue had been the stamping ground of many now well-known artists - Irene Amos (a Vice Patron of the Group), Jon Molvig and Roy Churcher to name just a few. (See list below.) The build-up of impacted paint on one of the pillars of the building's foundation bears witness to the history of this studio. A booklet entitled "The Paint Tree" by Muriel Shaw celebrates this historic pillar and the book can be viewed at the Fryer Library, Queensland University (The Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc., Box 11 Folder 10) and at the Queensland State Library, Art Heritage Section.
Since 1975 the Studio had been used for untutored workshops most days of the week. Members volunteered to be convenors conducting sessions in portraiture, figure drawing, still-life and landscape, both "in-house" and "in the field". Professional models were engaged for portraiture and life sessions. Some of the work generated from these sessions were sold by members as unframed works at popular Folio Weekends. These untutored workshops continue today.
In August 2010 the St Mary's Studio was unfortunately closed down because of concerns with Workplace Health and Safety. Its unique atmosphere with a picturesque outlook over the city skyline, the Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane River, had been cherished by artists for thirty-five years. It was truly an artists' Mecca. The Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc., as it is known today, has been very fortunate to have enjoyed its privileged association with St. Mary's Church and Father Stephen Redhead, one of our Vice-Patrons at the time. Despite the loss of its home, the Group continued its program, working diligently in temporary premises in Holland Park, Bowen Hills, Annerley and Newmarket. However, on 1 September 2011 it moved at last into a new home in the grounds of Montrose Acess at Corinda. (See NEWS page)
Every year, an Annual Exhibition is held in which members exhibit and sell their art work. This year, the annual exhibition was held in the Auditorium of the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. Other events such as the weekend 'Paint-Out' in places of natural beauty such as Mt Tamborine, Folio sales and visits to other artists' studios are now well-established. This November 2011, the Group held a special celebratory exhibition of its 70 years since the first exhibition in 1941 which featured a Celebration Wall of 70 paintings butted together like a tiled mosaic, 7 m long x 2 m high.
Also the first Annual Lilian Pedersen Lecture was held on the evening of 9 December at the Montrose Studio. The guest speaker was Emeritus Professor Bob Milns AM, professor of Classics and Ancient History.
The most important feature of the Group is the camaraderie that holds the members together in a bond cemented with the shared passion for Art.
Founding Members -
Lilian Pedersen
Mona Elliot
Frank Sherrin
Rosalie Wilson
Leonard Shillam
Ann Ross
Below are some of the recognised artists who have been associated with The Half Dozen Group of Artists over the years -
John ALAND, Irene AMOS, Alice BALE, Ces BENNETT, Vincent BROWN, Nutter BUZACOTT, Betty CHURCHER, Roy CHURCHER, Margaret CILENTO, George Wilson COOPER, Vera COTTEW, Maryke DEGEUS, Donald FRIEND, Cyril GIBBS, Doreen HARRIS, L. J. HARVEY, Melville HAYSOM, Gil JAMIESON, George LUKE, Vida LAHEY, Ada LUDLOW, Kenneth MACQUEEN, Daphne MAYO, Hal MISSINGHAM, Jon MOLVIG, Mervin MORIARTY, Mary NORRIE, Daisy NOSWORTHY, Margaret OLLEY, Margaret PRESTON, Betty QUELHURST, Lloyd REES, John RIGBY, William ROBERTSON, William ROBINSON, Joy ROGGENKAMP, Paula ROSENSTENGEL, Frank ROWLAND, Muriel FlorenceSNELL, Lance SOLOMON, Winifred Mary TOWERS, Donald VERNON, Mavis VERNON, Richard WERNER, James WIENEKE, George WILLIAMSON.
Life Members: Dell HARRINGTON, Charles LUDLOW, Valerie WARING, Thomas YORKSTON.
Copyright (c) The Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc. 2009-2012
Last up-dated 13 May 2012
Although it has retained its traditional name of 'Half Dozen', it has, for many years, maintained between one and two hundred members.
Through the nineteen-forties, fifties and sixties this nucleus of six artists was joined by a "younger generation" of aspiring artists, including Lloyd Rees, Margaret Olley, L. J. Harvey, Margaret Preston, Kenneth McQueen, Jon Molvig, Melville Haysom, William Robinson, Donald Friend, Vida Lahey, Daphne Mayo, Roy Churcher, Mervyn Moriarty and John Rigby. These artists were later to become some of the most recognised Queensland artists of our time.
Membership was initially restricted to a maximum of thirty-five. Artists wishing to join were accepted upon invitation and were expected to present a folio of work for adjudication. Today, the criteria for membership centres on an applicant's genuine desire to develop skill and understanding, and if possible, to participate in self-development through the weekly, fortnightly and other workshops provided. The applicant needs the nominations of two financial members and be accepted by the Executive, although this may change at different times. The Group, with Vice Regal Patronage since its inception,
now has a membership well over a 100 artists and is continuing to grow.
In 1975 The Half Dozen Group established its Studio in the "cellar" beneath the church hall of St. Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point. This venue had been the stamping ground of many now well-known artists - Irene Amos (a Vice Patron of the Group), Jon Molvig and Roy Churcher to name just a few. (See list below.) The build-up of impacted paint on one of the pillars of the building's foundation bears witness to the history of this studio. A booklet entitled "The Paint Tree" by Muriel Shaw celebrates this historic pillar and the book can be viewed at the Fryer Library, Queensland University (The Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc., Box 11 Folder 10) and at the Queensland State Library, Art Heritage Section.
Since 1975 the Studio had been used for untutored workshops most days of the week. Members volunteered to be convenors conducting sessions in portraiture, figure drawing, still-life and landscape, both "in-house" and "in the field". Professional models were engaged for portraiture and life sessions. Some of the work generated from these sessions were sold by members as unframed works at popular Folio Weekends. These untutored workshops continue today.
In August 2010 the St Mary's Studio was unfortunately closed down because of concerns with Workplace Health and Safety. Its unique atmosphere with a picturesque outlook over the city skyline, the Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane River, had been cherished by artists for thirty-five years. It was truly an artists' Mecca. The Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc., as it is known today, has been very fortunate to have enjoyed its privileged association with St. Mary's Church and Father Stephen Redhead, one of our Vice-Patrons at the time. Despite the loss of its home, the Group continued its program, working diligently in temporary premises in Holland Park, Bowen Hills, Annerley and Newmarket. However, on 1 September 2011 it moved at last into a new home in the grounds of Montrose Acess at Corinda. (See NEWS page)
Every year, an Annual Exhibition is held in which members exhibit and sell their art work. This year, the annual exhibition was held in the Auditorium of the Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. Other events such as the weekend 'Paint-Out' in places of natural beauty such as Mt Tamborine, Folio sales and visits to other artists' studios are now well-established. This November 2011, the Group held a special celebratory exhibition of its 70 years since the first exhibition in 1941 which featured a Celebration Wall of 70 paintings butted together like a tiled mosaic, 7 m long x 2 m high.
Also the first Annual Lilian Pedersen Lecture was held on the evening of 9 December at the Montrose Studio. The guest speaker was Emeritus Professor Bob Milns AM, professor of Classics and Ancient History.
The most important feature of the Group is the camaraderie that holds the members together in a bond cemented with the shared passion for Art.
Founding Members -
Lilian Pedersen
Mona Elliot
Frank Sherrin
Rosalie Wilson
Leonard Shillam
Ann Ross
Below are some of the recognised artists who have been associated with The Half Dozen Group of Artists over the years -
John ALAND, Irene AMOS, Alice BALE, Ces BENNETT, Vincent BROWN, Nutter BUZACOTT, Betty CHURCHER, Roy CHURCHER, Margaret CILENTO, George Wilson COOPER, Vera COTTEW, Maryke DEGEUS, Donald FRIEND, Cyril GIBBS, Doreen HARRIS, L. J. HARVEY, Melville HAYSOM, Gil JAMIESON, George LUKE, Vida LAHEY, Ada LUDLOW, Kenneth MACQUEEN, Daphne MAYO, Hal MISSINGHAM, Jon MOLVIG, Mervin MORIARTY, Mary NORRIE, Daisy NOSWORTHY, Margaret OLLEY, Margaret PRESTON, Betty QUELHURST, Lloyd REES, John RIGBY, William ROBERTSON, William ROBINSON, Joy ROGGENKAMP, Paula ROSENSTENGEL, Frank ROWLAND, Muriel FlorenceSNELL, Lance SOLOMON, Winifred Mary TOWERS, Donald VERNON, Mavis VERNON, Richard WERNER, James WIENEKE, George WILLIAMSON.
Life Members: Dell HARRINGTON, Charles LUDLOW, Valerie WARING, Thomas YORKSTON.
Copyright (c) The Half Dozen Group of Artists Inc. 2009-2012
Last up-dated 13 May 2012
