Paul McDonald Smith Art Groups / Community Arts

The Box Hill Art Group In

The Box Hill Art Group Inc., was founded in April 1952, with the assistance of

Box Hill

Councillor, H.R.

L. Sparkes. Local art enthusiasts supported the

concept of the group, and

Mrs. J. Rolls was elected

first President, and Mr.

Billot, Secretary.

The group was originally know as the “Box Hill City Art Group” and its

intention was to

promote an

understanding of art in the area, with a program of

“art appreciation evenings”

and practical classes

in painting and drawing. It was

the latter that attracted the greater

interest.

In 2002 the group celebrated its 50th anniversary at its annual exhibition of

members’

works, held in

the Box Hill Town Hall in June of that year.

Renowned Australian artist, Sir

William Dargie CBE,

marked the occasion with

an inspiring address, before officially

opening the exhibition and

congratulating

the group on its history and continuing success.

Activities were located in the Irving Ave. Tennis Pavillion from 1952 until 1987,

when the

group

moved briefly to the Box Hill Community Centre, in Station St.,

the site of the old

Box Hill Electric

Supply Building.

In 1988, the upgrade of the Community Centre saw a temporary return to the

Tennis

Pavillion until

1990, when the old facilities were completely demolished

and the new Box

Hill Community Arts

Centre was built, at 470 Station St., This

remains the group’s home to

the present day.

Regular weekly classes are conducted by loyal and well-known tutor / artists and

are well

attended.

In addition there are regular workshops, demonstrations,

exhibitions and

competitions for member

participation.

Further information can be found on the BHAG website

Glen Eira Cheltenham Art Group Inc.

The Glen Eira Cheltenham Art Group

, in Melbourne's

southern

suburb of

Bentleigh,

celebrated

its

40th Anniversary in 2003. In 1963, a

local artist, Mr.

Fallon, sta

ted the

roup,

with support

from the

community

and the group's

arly activities involved assisting

the

well

known

Cheltenham Light

Opera

Company

with

the painting of

sets and props.

Mrs. Janette Proposch

, another founding member

was the group’s first teacher

with a

watercolour

class held at the Cheltenham High School.

The

roup

later

moved to local Methodist Church Hall

for some years,

and in

1977 was

granted use

the

Gordon Boys Home Chapel, in McFarlane Court,

Highett,

where it

remained until

1994, when

operations

were relocated to

Moorleigh Village

, in Bignell Rd.,

Bentleigh,

where they continue today.

The

roup was formally incorporated in the mid 1980’s.

ntil the move to

Moorleigh

Village the

group was known as the

Cheltenham Art

roup

changing

its name in 1996 to

the

Glen Eira

Cheltenham Art Group

to reflect its new

location

From 1969 members' exhibitions were held annually in the local area

, along

with regular

exhibitions

in Melbourne

CBD

Some very distinguished artists have tutored for the group

in the last 44 years

and th

roup

maintains a

popular and extensive program of classes

today,

conducted by

widely

known and

well

respected artists.

The

roup also holds

regular demonstrations, life classes

and specialist

workshops.

Civic and Community Arts Activities

Community Arts initiatives / activities since 1981.

Paul McDonald Smith e

stablished numerous classes

for oil and watercolour painting of

still life,

portrait, life class and plein air

landscape, in Melbourne’s northern, western

and eastern

suburbs.

Private Classes, High St., Kew. 1978-1980
Essendon Community Group 1981 – 1998,
Footscray Community Arts Centre 1981 – 1985,
Williamstown Community Outreach Centre 1981 – 1995,
Essendon Network for Employment and Training 1998 -2005:
Balwyn Leisure Centre 1981-: (relocated from Kew)
Moonee Valley Watercolour Painting Group 1998-: (privately managed since 2005)

Paul was

ound

er of

the Essendon Community Art

Exhibition /

Competition in 1983 until

'94, in

association with the Essendon Community

Centre, the Essendon Festival and the

Moonee Valley

Council This

annual event

was built

the strength of his very popular

painting class

at the Centre

from 1981. His students were active in arranging the

presentation of works and

manning the

exhibition.

The Exhibition was open to all artists and attracted entries Victoria wide and

interstate.

Numerous

sponsors, including the Council and local business

ffered very generous prizes.

Hobsons Bay Art Society Inc.

(

Formerly The Altona Artists Association)

In October 1978, Joan and Derek Craggs, local artists and owners of Craggsdan Gallery,

called for

expressions of interest in forming a local art group, by placing an advertisement to

that effect in the

local paper “The Mail”. As a result a meeting was held at their home,

chaired by Derek and attended

by twenty-one supporters.

A further meeting was scheduled for the following month at which office bearers were elected

and

the “Altona Artists Association” was formed. The President was William Russ, and

Derek and Joan

Craggs occupied the offices of Treasurer and Secretary, respectively.

The local Salvation Army Community Centre was secured for meetings and the first

demonstration

was by local artist Fred Klix, who had a well-established reputation for his

depiction of the Flinders

Ranges. He donated his painting to the association.

The Association members exhibited with the local festival “Operation Recreation” now

known as the

Bayside Festival. Joan Craggs approached local business Hoechst Aust, later to

become Kemcor and

subsequently Qenos for sponsorship. This exhibition and sponsorship

continues today.

As membership grew, a shop was purchased by Council in Somers Parade Altona West

the group's

home base

circa 1982. When others wishing to use the facility crowded out the

association, further

locations were sought with Council assistance, including the Altona North

Library (c. 1992).

This

proved too costly for the group and the property was sold. A further

move to the

decommissioned

Altona Hospital, resulted in much success and a popular

gallery that was

open 7 days a week, and

became an important part of Altona’s cultural life.

While the group received several small grants from Council

donations were scarce and

many

fund-

rasing activities were held in order to equip the group with the facilities necessary

conduct classes,

meeting

and exhibitions.

Many members have reached high standards in their painting and the group offers regular

classes

in various painting media, conducted by loyal and respected artists. Today the group is

based at a

local community centre

, once again a

shared

situation

with various other groups.

Foundation Secretary Joan Craggs, along with husband Derek, have been the group’s driving

force.

Joan has been responsible for many activities including an annual Arts Festival and a

fundraising

Dinner Musicale attracting up to 350 people. The funds raised were applied to

the benefit of the

Altona State Emergency Service. She is also the strength behind the very

popular annual Palette Pals

painting trips, which have been taking artist to remote and exiting

places for 30 years.