Art club pays tribute to ‘generous’ patron
Members of Paisley Art Institute have paid tribute to Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden.
Norman Macfarlane, who died on November 5 aged 95, served on the institute’s honorary committee for 30 years.
The industrialist and arts patron became involved with PAI when it launched the Scottish Drawing Competition in the early 1990s.
Joe Hargan was president at that time and remembers the Baron’s generosity and “appreciated his wise counsel and business sense”.
Committee member Nancy McHarg usually helped with the annual children’s competition and remembered: “He kindly paid the expenses, even put up an award.
“If he was away on business, he always remembered to send a representative to make the prize award ceremony special.”
After running the PAI for 15 years, Joe went to be president of the Glasgow Art Club, which was reopening after major repairs.
Joe said: “I discovered Lord Macfarlane again offering help, and his time at trustee meetings.
“Often jobs would turn out to be larger than expected and Norman was known to help out with the funding.”
Another well-respected PAI diplomate Robert Kelsey: “He was so supportive when I took over the presidency of the club that we ended up becoming good friends.
“I even got to his 90th birthday bash.”
Artist Anne Hargan said: “We join with the family, at this sad time, in feeling that its never easy to lose someone special, no matter how long their life. We are all enriched by his altruistic endeavours.
“He was generous patron of the arts. Our condolences go out to Greta and family.”