The New England Art Society has been in existence since the early 1990's when a number of Armidale artists came together to form an association. A small gallery was opened in the Old Teachers College building and this was later transferred to premises at the Wicklow Hotel. The Society next moved to rented premises in Beardy Street Mall and then upstairs to its present location in April 2004.
Membership of NEAS has grown strongly in recent years, and currently exceeds 200 people. Members are drawn from many parts of the New England area; from Tamworth to Tenterfield- from Dorrigo to Inverell and Warialda.
The Society is incorporated and operates as a not-for-profit volunteer run organization. It has no paid employees.
Armidale Art Gallery, managed by the New England Art Society; has a number of exhibition spaces including the Hashimoto Room, The Skylight Room and The Studio. Members works are professionally displayed and updated roughly once a month. The Society holds its popular Evening Art Classes in the gallery several nights a week.
Armidale Regional Art Prize
In May 2009 the New England Art Society initiated the Armidale Regional Art Prize. Judged categories included painting, drawing, photography and sculpture. The Society contributed considerable funds towards the total prize money of $3000, with the balance coming from local sponsors. The competition was extremely successful, with 230 entries from over 100 artists and the Armidale community responded very favourably to the exhibition. The Society intends to continue the competition in future years and hopes to involve more local sponsors.
Crossing New England
In October of the last four years the New England Art Society has hosted "Crossing New England". This exhibition, co-ordinated by local ceramicist and painter Anna Henderson, highlights the work of approximately two dozen invited artists from a wide area of the New England. Arrangements are well in hand for "Crossing New England IV" to open in October 2009.
Anna Henderson, Curator for Crossing New England and Matt Pilkington, President of the New England Arts Society
and we will send you details with a membership form.