06.03 — Landmarks 75/25 Exhibition

Landmarks 75/25: 50 Years of the Women’s Art Register
Thursday 6 March to Friday 28 March
Opening 6 March, 5–7pm

George Paton Gallery
1/159 Monash Rd, Parkville

We’re excited to share our exhibition Landmarks 75/25: 50 years of the Women’s Art Register, alongside Meredith Roger’s An Embroidered Memoir, kicking off a year-long celebration of five decades of documenting and advocating for Australian women’s art practice.

Landmarks 75/25: 50 Years of the Women’s Art Register

Showcasing artists from across the Register’s history—including founding members, past and present committee members, and volunteers—alongside ephemera from the archive. This exhibition reflects on the impact and evolution of the Women’s Art Register, celebrating its role as a vital resource for Australian women’s art.

Featured:
Leia Alex, Sandra Bridie, Louisa Bufardeci, Janine Burke, Sophie Calalesina, Virginia Coventry, Anna Daly, Isabel Davies, Lesley Dumbrell, Bonita Ely, Kirsty Gorter, Elizabeth Gower, Danni Hamilton, Gail Harradine, Annabell Lee, Christina Turner, Sahra Martin, Emma McAnelly, Erica McGilchrist, Claudia Phares, Caroline Phillips, Robyn Pridham, Susie Raz, Merren Ricketson, Anna Sande, Katie Sfetkidis, Brianna Simonsen, Kate Smith, Azza Zein.

Meredith Rogers – An Embroidered Memoir

A deeply personal work consisting of 74 small panels, each stitched with words and images—one for every year since Meredith Rogers was born. This textile-based reflection explores memory, time, and storytelling through embroidery.

This memorable event brought together inspiring voices and a vibrant community.
Explore highlights and read selected speeches in our event recap here.

20.03 — Talking Back Roundtable

Talking Back panel-led roundtable
Thursday 20 March
6–7pm

Arts Lab, George Paton Gallery
1/159 Monash Rd, Parkville

Lucy Lippards’ 1975 talk at the George Paton Gallery is the stuff of legend, helping galvanise the forces that led to W.A.R’s formation. Fifty years on, that spirit of defiance persists even if, unsurprisingly, the times are very different. Come share your insights on art, the archive and feminism in this panel-led open forum featuring Meredith Rogers, Nur Shkembi, Kate Just and Azza Zein.

Please note: The Landmarks 75/25 exhibition will be open until 6pm Thursday 20 March. The Talking Back panel-led roundtable will follow on immediately.

No bookings required

28.03 — Common Threads Redux

Common Threads Redux workshop
Friday 28 March
1–3pm

Arts Lab, George Paton Gallery
1/159 Monash Rd, Parkville

Common Threads is a board game designed for exploring the creative potential of the archive. The emphasis is firmly on play, with participants being guided through a series of questions and activities that invite hands-on engagement with key Women’s Art Register holdings, including slides.

22.04 — Kampala Calling: A dialogue between artists in Uganda and Australia 

Kampala Calling: A dialogue between artists in Uganda and Australia 
Tuesday 22 April
8–9.30pm

Online event

Growing out of the NEST (Network for Empowerment, Solidarity and Transregionality) project initiated by AWARE (Archives of Women Artists, Research and Exhibitions) in Paris last year, W.A.R. is collaborating with the Njabala Foundation in Kampala, Uganda, to develop an artist exchange program.

Join us on Tuesday 22 April for an initial online meeting with Founding Director Martha Kazungu and artists who exhibited in the Obulu Bwaffe exhibition, part of the Obulu Bwaffe Festival, held in March this year. 

At this first online exchange, Martha will present an introduction to the Obulo Bwaffe multi-disciplinary arts festival, which includes the 2025 Annual Njabala Exhibition (ANE). The festival as a whole is a declaration of ownership and re-examination of the Obulo Bwaffe folklore story through a contemporary feminist lens, celebrating the power, knowledge, and unwavering agency of women.  See the link below for more info about this.

Join us at the first meeting of a project we hope to build upon, through which we plan to share discussions, virtual studio visits in both countries, and an exchange of ideas, cultures, and experiences throughout the year. The online meeting is scheduled for 8 pm to accommodate the time difference.

Please RSVP for this event by 21/4 to: merren@womensartregister.org 

You will be sent a link for the event.

31.05 — outWARds: Ballarat

outWARds: Ballarat
Saturday 31 May
11am–2.30pm

Eureka Centre
102 Stawell Street South
Ballarat

Join us as we launch our National Roadshow outWARds in Ballarat!

Hear from committee members about W.A.R's dynamic history and how this unique Australian feminist living archive (one of only two in the world surviving from the 70s) was established. W.A.R. now represents over 5000 Australian-based women artists and you can be involved!

This program will include tips on conserving your art and how to leave your legacy.

05.06 — Checking In Member Catch Ups: Members and plus ones

Checking In Member Catch Ups: Members and plus ones
Thursday 5 June
6.30pm – 7.10pm

Online event

Join our Member Check-Ins in June and August for information and reminders about upcoming events. This is a great opportunity to ask any burning questions and share suggestions and feedback that will help ensure W.A.R.’s 50th has something for everyone. 

Video conferencing links will be announced and made available in the fortnight prior to the meet-up.

Not a member? Become one today: Become a member

28.06 — Magic and Mayhem with Wendy Kelly

Magic and Mayhem with Wendy Kelly
Saturday 28 June
2 - 3 pm

In-person and online event, for members only.

Step inside the studio of the prolific artist Wendy Kelly, whose distinctive two-dimensional, non-objective works span paintings, works on paper, and unique state books. Wendy completed a Diploma of Art and Design (Fine Art) at Caulfield Institute of Technology in 1978 and a PhD at Monash University’s Faculty of Art and Design in 2010. With a career shaped by early Modernist influences and decades of dedicated practice, Wendy invites you to experience her creative process firsthand and view new and recent works. 

Registration and video conferencing links will be sent to members closer to the date.

Not a member? Become a member

11.07 — UNSEEN Exhibition

UNSEEN
Friday 11 July to Sunday 27 July
Gallery hour: Fri-Sun, 11am-3pm

Opening Night: Friday 11 July, 6-8pm

ACU Melbourne Gallery
Australian Catholic University
26 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

UNSEEN will showcase a collection of artworks by W.A.R members that have never before been exhibited or sold. Each artist has personally selected a piece, offering a rare glimpse into hidden creative narratives. This show feature works created across different time periods and in diverse range of mediums, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, textile art and more.

By bringing these unseen works into public view, the exhibition challenges the historical underrepresentation of women in the visual arts and highlights the importance of visibility, recognition and artistic agency.

More details soon

30.07 — Magic and Mayhem with Veronica Caven Aldous

Magic and Mayhem with Veronica Caven Aldous
Wednesday 30 July
1 - 2 pm

In-person and online event, for members only.

Veronica Caven Aldous has been involved with the Women’s Art Register since its inception in 1975, practising across multiple disciplines including lightwork, painting and sculpture. Join Veronica and friends for the July instalment of the Magic and Mayhem studio visit program, and learn about the processes and works integral to this fascinating career in feminist art. 

Registration and video conferencing links will be sent to members closer to the date.

Not a member? Become a member

07.08 — Checking In Member Catch Ups: Members and plus ones

Checking In Member Catch Ups: Members and plus ones
Thursday 7 August
6.30pm – 7.10pm

Online event

Join our Member Check-Ins in June and August for information and reminders about upcoming events. This is a great opportunity to ask any burning questions and share suggestions and feedback that will help ensure W.A.R.’s 50th has something for everyone. 

Video conferencing links will be announced and made available in the fortnight prior to the meet-up.

Not a member? Become one today: Become a member

16.08 — Unfolding: A Queer & Feminist Zine-Making Workshop

Unfolding: A Queer & Feminist Zine-Making Workshop
Saturday 16 August
1–4pm

Victorian Pride Centre
79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

Join us for a collaboration between the Women's Art Register and the Australian Queer Archives featuring copied material from each archive to explore, cut and paste!

More details soon

26.08 — Magic and Mayhem with Carmel O’Connor

Magic and Mayhem with Carmel O’Connor
Tuesday 26 August
10 - 11am

Online event for members only.

Video conferencing links will be sent to members closer to the date.

Not a member? Become a member

23.09 — Magic and Mayhem with Gail Stiffe

Magic and Mayhem with Gail Stiffe
Tuesday 23 September
6 - 7 pm

Online event for members only.

Video conferencing links will be sent to members closer to the date.

Not a member? Become a member

25.10 — Magic and Mayhem with Rox de Luca

Magic and Mayhem with Rox de Luca
Saturday 25 October
2 - 3 pm

Online event for members only.

Video conferencing links will be sent to members closer to the date.

Not a member? Become a member

15.11 — Magic and Mayhem with Denise Keele-bedford

Magic and Mayhem with Denise Keele-bedford
Saturday 15 November
10 am - 5 pm*

In-person event for members only.

Registration links will be sent to members closer to the date.

Not a member? Become a member