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En Plein Air Painting Competition – Australian Tonalism: A selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection

Sat 10 May 2025
10:00 am 1:00 pm

Town Hall Gallery

360 Burwood Road
Hawthorn VIC 3122

Cost
$10
Accessible
05/10/2025 10:00 am 05/10/2025 1:00 pm En Plein Air Painting Competition – Australian Tonalism: A selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection Discover the beauty of tonalism during this en plein air painting experience held in partnership with the Camberwell Art Show. Participants will meet at the Hawthorn Arts Centre main entrance before heading outside to capture local scenery with like-minded art enthusiasts.Artists are required to bring their own painting materials, and high-quality art paper will be provided. Please note bookings for this event close Thursday 8 May at 11:59pm.At the end of the session, participants are invited to submit their work to the Town Hall Gallery team. Esteemed collector Peter Perry will judge the entries, with the winners to be announced on Monday 19 May via social media. The top 5 entries will be displayed at the Camberwell Art Show, with the overall winner receiving a selection of special prizes, including tickets to the Camberwell Art Show Opening Night.This event is inspired by the major exhibition ‘Australian Tonalism: A selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection’ and is presented partnership with the Camberwell Art Show.About the exhibitionDiscover the artistic legacy of Max Meldrum (1875–1955) in this exhibition showcasing the lifelong dedication of John and Peter Perry to collecting works by this pioneering Australian artist and his influential school. Meldrum, a key figure in 20th-century Australian art, revolutionised the painting scene between the two World Wars, creating a distinctive style that has left a lasting imprint on the nation’s artistic landscape.The exhibition features a selection of works from a collection of over 320 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and etchings. Highlights include landscapes from both France and Australia, still lifes, portraits and animal studies - all embodying the unique approach of Meldrum and his followers. The ‘Meldrumites’ - a talented group of artists such as A M E Bale, Clarice Beckett, Colin Colahan and Polly Hurry - were deeply influenced by Meldrum’s teachings, and their works are also prominently featured. Many of these artists either lived or worked in the area now known as the City of Boroondara. Accessibility at this spaceAccessibility features include:accessible car parkingaccessible drop-off areaautomatic doorsaccessible toiletsrampsclear signageliftsquiet areaswide passageways.Image credit: Clarice Beckett, ‘The Solitary Bathing Box’, c. 1933, oil on beaver board, 22.7 x 30.0 cm, image courtesy of the John and Peter Perry Collection. , City of Boroondara [email protected] Australia/Melbourne public

Event details

Discover the beauty of tonalism during this en plein air painting experience held in partnership with the Camberwell Art Show. Participants will meet at the Hawthorn Arts Centre main entrance before heading outside to capture local scenery with like-minded art enthusiasts.

Artists are required to bring their own painting materials, and high-quality art paper will be provided. Please note bookings for this event close Thursday 8 May at 11:59pm.

At the end of the session, participants are invited to submit their work to the Town Hall Gallery team. Esteemed collector Peter Perry will judge the entries, with the winners to be announced on Monday 19 May via social media. The top 5 entries will be displayed at the Camberwell Art Show, with the overall winner receiving a selection of special prizes, including tickets to the Camberwell Art Show Opening Night.

This event is inspired by the major exhibition ‘Australian Tonalism: A selection from the John and Peter Perry Collection’ and is presented partnership with the Camberwell Art Show.

About the exhibition

Discover the artistic legacy of Max Meldrum (1875–1955) in this exhibition showcasing the lifelong dedication of John and Peter Perry to collecting works by this pioneering Australian artist and his influential school. Meldrum, a key figure in 20th-century Australian art, revolutionised the painting scene between the two World Wars, creating a distinctive style that has left a lasting imprint on the nation’s artistic landscape.

The exhibition features a selection of works from a collection of over 320 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and etchings. Highlights include landscapes from both France and Australia, still lifes, portraits and animal studies - all embodying the unique approach of Meldrum and his followers. The ‘Meldrumites’ - a talented group of artists such as A M E Bale, Clarice Beckett, Colin Colahan and Polly Hurry - were deeply influenced by Meldrum’s teachings, and their works are also prominently featured. Many of these artists either lived or worked in the area now known as the City of Boroondara. 

Accessibility at this space

Accessibility features include:

  • accessible car parking
  • accessible drop-off area
  • automatic doors
  • accessible toilets
  • ramps
  • clear signage
  • lifts
  • quiet areas
  • wide passageways.

Image credit: Clarice Beckett, ‘The Solitary Bathing Box’, c. 1933, oil on beaver board, 22.7 x 30.0 cm, image courtesy of the John and Peter Perry Collection.

Contact
Boroondara Arts