There’s a changing of the guard at Forbes Arts Society.
At the recent AGM, Dr. Karen Ritchie, President of the Forbes Arts Society, officially stepped down and Trudy Mallick was overwhelmingly elected to serve as President.
Karen may have resigned as President, but she has taken on the role of Secretary and Dr. Keith Mullette remains the Ordinary Member.
“During my two-year tenure as President of the Forbes Arts Society (FAS), a great deal of effort has gone into initiating and advancing the projects of the NSW State Government Restart Grants Scheme. – ‘Boosting the economy of the Lachlan Valley through art embedded in our incredible environment, Forbes NSW’,” Karen said, reflecting on her time as president.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank our project partners, the NSW State Government, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining, as we all work to build sustainability through tourism in communities of the Lachlan Valley region.”
“The past two years have been incredibly busy but very exciting and challenging and I would like to thank the hardworking members of the FAS Board of Directors – Vice President Helen Hurley, Treasurer Stuart Thomas and Members Warwick Rolfe, Keith Mullette, Trudy Mallick, Wendy Muffet and Joy Russell,” Karen said.
“I offer my support to incoming President Trudy Mallick and know that FAS and its great projects will thrive under her leadership.”
Karen also thanks the past and present founders of the Arts Society and the many volunteers and friends of the gallery over the past few years. Without them, she would not have survived.
Trudy said she is indebted to the work Karen has started and looks forward to seeing the building and sculpture trail completed in 2022.
“The next twelve months will be an exciting and no doubt challenging time for all of us, but the sculpture trail and bird hides will be wonderful attractions and the cultural center will be an incredible meeting place and art gallery for city dwellers and visitors to Forbes alike,” she says.
The other big change for the Forbes Arts Society is that the Platypus Gallery is taking a temporary hiatus while the new cultural center is being built.
The center will house a brand new Platypus Gallery, as well as a traveling art gallery, event rooms and a contemporary café.
The gallery’s artists and artisans will still be working hard at their craft as they prepare to hang and exhibit in the new construction.
The Platypus Gallery is closing in its current location on January 15, 2022 and all works will still be in the shop, except they will all be online.
Anyone can still shop at https://forbesartssociety.com/ and for easy purchase, product will be displayed or click and collect at the artists home or agreed location.
Trudy encourages all existing artists to pursue their craft and invites new artists and artisans to join the gallery and exhibit their pieces on the website store, and eventually in the new Platypus gallery.
“The Forbes Arts Society also has some exciting new initiatives coming in the new year that we believe the whole city can participate in,” she said.
The $7.2 million art project “Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project”, which is proudly funded by the Regional Growth Fund – Environment and Tourism of the Government of New South Wales, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.
Trudy Mallick assumed the role of president of the Forbes Arts Society from Dr. Karen Ritchie, who will continue to serve as the organization’s secretary.
