OUR HISTORY
GOING STRONG SINCE 1953
We are a volunteer-run community organisation, founded in 1953, with the aim to facilitate the making, learning and appreciation of art and design in the local community. No other art group in Australia has a history quite like ours!
In the late 19th century, Heidelberg School painters Tom Roberts and Fred McCubbin made the long trek to Beaumaris on horseback to paint the landscape and capture the area’s distinctive light, meeting Arthur Streeton sketching at Rickett’s Point.
70 years later, in the early 1950s, architects, renowned painters, ceramicists and teachers followed them to the area.
Born from the vision and determination of a small group of passionate young local families in the 1950s, the Beaumaris Art Group came together to create a lasting home for creativity, connection, and community.
Through shared effort, fundraising, and an unwavering love of art, they banded together to fund-raise, design, build and bring this humble modernist building to fruition as their headquarters.
In 1965, it was opened by National Gallery Director, Eric Westbrook. Quite miraculously, it stands largely intact today, continuing a tradition of artmaking for nigh on 6 decades.
Famous names in Australian Art have walked through its doors to learn, to teach and judge exhibitions - a continuation of Beaumaris’ long-held role as a destination for art-makers and creatives. These include Howard Arkley, John Brack, Olga Cohn, Elizabeth Prior, Inez Hutchison, Clifton Pugh, Fred Williams and Patrick McCaughey.
We think you’ll agree, you can feel the building’s history. The place just oozes a love of art and stands as the central point of this area’s unique artistic past and present. We believe it’s our responsibility as a community to honour and safeguard it and inspire future generations to explore their own creativity.
Meet the Beaumaris Art Group Committee
JOIN US
BECOME A MEMBER
The Beaumaris Art Group has a modest fee covering membership benefits for 12 months from the date that you sign up.
Membership allows you to:
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Enrol in BAG classes, workshops, events and untutored groups at a reduced cost.
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Attend Open Studios for drawing, painting and ceramics
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Eligibility to be included in the annual Members Exhibition
We have a range of membership options available. Please read our Code of Conduct.