The Pastel Society of Victoria (Australia) was founded in 1986 by a group of pastel enthusiasts – Margaret Lourey, (the founder and first President), Ming Mackay (the first Patron), Arno Roger-Genersh and Janet Hayes, and was officially formed at the first Annual General Meeting on 6th November 1986. Their aims were to educate the public about pastel and its use as a fine art medium and to promote the exchange of information and ideas concerning pastel among interested artists.

Ming Mackay, The Black Shawl

The Society still upholds the aims of its founders, and has become a very active Society, holding regular meetings, weekend workshops tutored by artists of note, paint-outs and other lively activities for its ever increasing membership. Members are kept up to date regarding these events, as well as being informed about issues in the wider art world, through a bi-monthly newsletter and our monthly meetings. The Society is a member of the International Association of Pastel Societies.

We were saddened by the death of our dear Patron, Ming Mackay in September 2009. Early in 2010 the eminent art historian and friend of the Pastel Society of Victoria, Andrew Mackenzie, accepted our invitation to become our new Patron.

At the 2011 Annual General Meeting members voted to add the word “Australia” to our name  to avoid confusion amongst international Societies who were mistaking us for a Canadian or American Society. Hence we are now known as “The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia”.