Hornsby Art Society
History
In 1963, well-known Sydney and local artist, Rodney Milgate, got together with artist friends and formed the group that became
the Hornsby Art Society.
The aim of the newly formed Society was to increase public awareness of the variety and value of art to people's lives, whoever they may be,
living in Hornsby Shire. Local residents with an interest in art were encouraged to join, be taught the rudiments of painting and drawing,
and develop their understanding and appreciation of different art forms. The Society also decided to organise exhibitions for local and other
artists to exhibit their paintings, pottery, and well-designed, well-crafted silver jewellery. Through the various activities offered by the
Society, Members became better artists and craftspeople, and most importantly, enjoyed what they were creating.
Without a permanent place to meet, by 1971 the Society began a campaign to get local government assistance to set up a space that could be used
for meetings, exhibitions and workshops. However, with many similar demands being placed upon Hornsby Counci's resources by other community
groups, this took time to be achieved. In 2002, Hornsby Shire Council granted Hornsby Art Society Inc. the tenancy of the Hornsby
Art Gallery space at 99/208 Pacific Highway, Hornsby.
Having the Hornsby Art Gallery has enabled many artists and craftspeople in the Hornsby Shire to host their own 'affordable' exhibitions - either
solo, or as a collective with other artists. The Society is proud of its efforts in being able to make this happen. The gallery has attracted
professional artists into the Society's membership, and it has given other artists the opportunity to 'launch' themselves as artists, or into
other careers in the creative sector.
The Society has run a number of regular exhibitions over the years, including the 9x5 Exhibition, the HAS Volunteers' Exhibition, the Youth Art
Prize and the Hornsby Art Awards, the annual Members and the Life Drawing & Sculpture Exhibitions. These exhibitions have become diary dates
for artists within and beyond the boundaries of Hornsby Shire.
The interests of the Society's Members and those in the local arts community have changed over time, and so too, have the type of exhibitions
organised at Hornsby Art Gallery. For example, the last Hornsby Art Awards Exhibition was held in 2008 and this was the Society's 44th
Hornsby Art Award. In 2009, it was replaced by the new Hornsby Art Prize, which was held in November at the Cherrybrook Community & Cultural Centre.
The Hornsby Art Prize is now an annual event and part of the Hornsby Festival of The Arts run by Hornsby Shire Council, with the support of
the Hornsby Art Society and the Hornsby Shire Arts Reference Committee.
Despite these changes, important traditions like art skills development remain - these are nurtured through the Pennant Hills and
Epping Life Drawing Groups, the Portraiture Group at Epping and the Plein Air Group.
The Hornsby Art Society Inc. is a not-for-profit community organisation. The day-to-day operations of the Hornsby Art Gallery are managed
by the HAS Committee and Member volunteers who are rostered for gallery duty. Hornsby Art Gallery's Exhibition Program relies totally on
the time and expertise of these dedicated people.
As with other community-based groups, the work that goes on behind the organisation of public events is extensive and is neither visible
nor always acknowledged by the outside world. Volunteers give hundreds of hours in organising and attending meetings, arranging workshops
and demonstrations, as well as in planning, preparation, cataloguing, checking, newsletter production and distribution, printing,
advertising, hanging, drop-offs, pick-ups, mail-outs, catering, managing the accounts and the website and operating the gallery 10am-4pm,
Wednesday-Sunday, 11 months of the year.
Major events like the Hornsby Art Prize, which attracts entries of hundreds of art works, involves many more hours of voluntary support
by people who are passionate about fostering art in our Shire.
Hornsby Art Society's culture is indicative of the community spirit of those who live in the Shire. Come and see for yourself sometime,
by attending one of our activities.
For a brief general history of the Arts in Hornsby Shire, please click here.
This article is made up of notes and historical recollections prepared by Ruth Jones, a long standing HAS member and former president,
edited by Linda Baranov, current HAS President, July 2010.
