A Legacy of Art

Bankstown Art Society 64th Annual Exhibition supporting Local Artists

Founded in 1958 by renowned artist and tutor Ronald Peters, the Bankstown Art Society stands as one of Sydney’s oldest art societies. With over 200 members, the Society has played a pivotal role in building artistic expression and creativity within the community. Its first exhibition took place in 1959, and since then, the Society has grown considerably, thanks to enduring support from Bankstown Council, local community groups, and local clubs including Revesby Workers’ Club.

A major milestone in the Society’s history came in 2009 when the federal government announced a $3.15 million grant for a community infrastructure program including the construction of Bankstown Arts Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to nurture local talent and serve as a cultural hub for the LGA. Daryl Melham AM, a former president of Revesby Workers’ Club expressed his support for the continued development of the Arts Centre, stating, “The centre is already a great place for people to meet, learn, perform and be inspired. This will make Bankstown Arts Centre even better.” In recent years Daryl Melham has been honoured with the position of Gallery Patron – and with the club, sponsored the contemporary submission category for the Society’s 64th Annual Exhibition.

The annual exhibition, a hallmark event for the Society, continues to attract attention from the broader Sydney community. With categories ranging from traditional to contemporary, the exhibition not only highlights the diversity of artistic talent within the Bankstown area but also reinforces the importance of ongoing community and institutional support for the arts.