THE four elements – earth, air, fire and water – are the chief sources of inspiration for 10 members of the Artists’ Society of Canberra’s newish Abstract and Experimental Group, formed just over a year ago when the Artists’ Society moved into a new M16 studio in Griffith.

Bright, modern paintings will be on show at their inaugural show opening next week in the exhibition space at CSIRO Discovery in Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain.

In the meantime ASOC, the oldest continuing art group in Canberra,  is now taking registrations for its Twelfth Summer Art Experience over five days, January 9-13, 2012.

The 13 workshops feature experienced local and interstate tutors who have national profiles as artists and the program is designed for a wide range of skill levels. The venue is at the Kingsford Smith School in Holt and there will be a well stocked on-site art materials store.

Workshops and tutors are as follows: Abstracts (acrylics): Peter Griffen; Portraits (oil): Robyn Ross; Life Drawing (Multi-Media): Pauline Adair; Wildlife (Multi-Media): Sandra Temple; Watercolour: Nic Canosa, Chan Dissanayake; Acrylic: Richard Rogers, Jenni Kelly; Oil: Rodney Symmons, Lyn Diefenbach; Pastel: Lyn Mellady; Drawing: Julie Bradley; and Mixed Media (abstracting the figure): Judi Power Thomson.

“Elements” will be opened by ASOC President Dr Tim Hardy in the exhibition space at CSIRO Discovery, Clunies Ross  Street Black Mountain at 6pm on October 20. Mon-Fri 9am–5pm, Sun 11am–3pm, until November 6.

Full information about the 2012 Summer Art Experience at www.asoc.net.au by phoning 6242 9699.