Miniature Art Societies around the World

ISRAEL

THE ISRAEL MINIATURE ART SOCIETY

The Israel Miniature Art Society (IMAS), an artistic association, was established at the end of 1996 by Jacques Heller (our present President), Dick Ben-Dor, the late Harry Araten, Chaim Rosenthal, Erga Heller and others, and is active within the World Federation of Miniaturists. IMAS has about 100 members from all over Israel, from the Galilee in the north to Eilat in the south. Its members are active visual artists, some veterans - with international reputation, and some novices - whom we hope will gain the same reputation.

IMAS aims to cultivate local miniaturist artists, and to strengthen and develop ties with foreign colleagues. For this purpose we hold an International Bible Miniaturists Art Exhibition about once a year. Moreover, we encourage our members to participate in exhibitions all over the world.

WORLD FEDERATION OF MINIATURISTS

The World Federation of Miniaturists bonds together all miniaturists worldwide through both individual membership and membership in miniature art organisations in many different countries. Our mission is to enhance global understanding and knowledge of fine art in small scale.

WFM brought dreams into reality in November 1995 when world miniaturists met in London and took the formal steps to fulfill long held hopes for an international organization. The late Jane Blake RMS, MAA, a key proponent of the idea prior to her death in 1993, sparked the establishment of an interim committee within miniature Artists of America to study the matter and develop an organizational plan. The London gathering, held in conjunction with the First World Exhibition of Miniature Art, sponsored by Suzanne Lucas and the Royal Miniature Society, provided the ideal forum for approving and unveiling the new organization on November 10, 1995.

Management of WFM affairs rotates among member societies. The Miniature Art Society of Florida, through its then President Denver Boyers, offered to assume the role of manager for the first rotation. The Hilliard Society, with Sue Burton as President took over management from 2000.

WFM assumed its first important role on the world stage by playing an active part in organizing support for "Small Pictures - Great Harmony", sponsored by Japanese officials in conjunction with the 1998 Winter Olympics. WFM alerted its membership immediately and, although faced with a looming deadline, the response was most gratifying. Japanese officials reported over 1800 works received including 271 overseas artists from 32 countries.

The Second World Exhibition of Miniature Art was held in September 2000, hosted by Bernadette Connor and the Australian Society of Miniature Art - Tasmania.

The Third World Exhibition was held at the Smithsonian in Washington from Sunday 20th June to Monday 12th July 2004.

The Fourth World Exhibition will be held in Burnie, Tasmania in 2008.

While all miniaturists are embraced into WFM through their individual society membership, all artists and friends are encouraged to also become individual Artist and Friend Members.

While all miniaturists are embraced into WFM through their individual society membership, all artists and friends are encouraged to also become individual Support Members.

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