History of ADFAS Bowral & District Inc.
Bowral was the sixth ADFAS society to form in 1988 after Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Armidale and Newcastle. 110 members attended the inaugural lecture given by Anna Clark in March 1998. By 2002 numbers had grown to 300 and the decision was taken to divide into two groups for morning and evening lectures.
As well as many interesting lectures, study days and tours which have been enthusiastically received over the years, the Society has been aware that the focus of spreading interest in the decorative and fine arts is not the only objective of ADFAS. Support for an individual or organisation who contributes to our national artistic heritage is willingly given.
Over the years a number of gifts have been made including: a weather vane to Christ Church, Bong Bong (near Moss Vale), antique mirrors for the National Trust property Harper's Mansion at Berrima, and a bronze statue by Brooke Maurice 'Girl Reading' to the Bowral Library. In 2008, as part of the Society's 20th Anniversary commemoration, a painting by the well known Southern Highlands artist, Reg Rowe, was presented to the Bowral & District Hospital.
An annual bursary is awarded to a fulltime student at the Sturt School for Wood at Mittagong. Other philanthropic donations in support of local arts are made each year. For example, in 2008 the Society sponsored a visit by the entire Robertson Primary School to the Art Gallery of NSW.
ADFAS Bowral is twinned with the NADFAS Branch in Sheffield (UK). This allows for more interaction with the parent body from which ADFAS grew, and the source of many of our fine lecturers.
ADFAS members visiting the Southern Highlands might find time to visit the Sturt Craft Centre and the world renowned Bradman Museum .
Sturt is a vibrant centre for the teaching and production of fine craft in a serene garden setting. During its sixty years, Sturt has been home or inspiration for the best in Australian design and craft and continues to be so. Visit the Sturt Gallery, shop, gardens workshops or Cafe.
The Bradman Museum houses one of the finest collections of cricket memorabilia, artefacts and curios in Australia. Comprising a number of galleries, one screens archival films from the 1920s to 1940s; another houses an exhibition recognising ten of the world's top sportsmen and sportswomen, and a special gallery with changing exhibitions occasionally showcases art and sculpture.
An important centre for the Arts in the Southern Highlands is the Berrima & District Arts Society (BDAS), based in Bowral. A variety of classes and workshops are held for both adults and children, covering painting in all mediums, drawing including life drawing, printmaking, and many other subjects. The Society also holds a number of open exhibitions each year.
A recent innovation is the establishment of the Southern Highlands as Australia 's first BookTown . With more antiquarian, general and specialty bookshops than one would expect to find, all bookshops in the area have combined to create a BOOKtrail which takes booklovers on a tour of the Southern Highlands via the bookshops in nearby towns and villages.
Young Arts
The Society has a long standing tradition of supporting young arts in the community. Currently a bursary is awarded each year to a fulltime student at the Sturt School for Wood at Mittagong.
The Society is keen to extend its support to suitable practitioners of the Arts in the Southern Highland and would welcome any suggestions.
Please contact any member of the Committee.
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