Mcdonald Smith guest

Australian tonal impressionist painter Paul Mcdonald Smith will be guest judge at this year’s 41st Wimmera Art Fair in Horsham next month.

Mcdonald Smith, educated at Scotch College, studied Fine Art at RMIT and was awarded a Camberwell Travel Scholarship for European Study in 1986, having previously undertaken extensive private study under the guidance of several leading artists between 1973 and 1979.

He has travelled widely, studying and painting in Europe on various occasions, exhibited since 1976 and has had six major solo exhibitions.

As well as creating his own work, Mcdonald Smith has led painting classes and workshops since 1977 and judged art competitions throughout Australia since 1982, including last year’s Wimmera Art Fair.

He has also had many leadership positions on various high-profile art-judging panels and is frequently invited to lecture and demonstrate painting techniques to art societies and workshops.

The Rotary Club of Horsham East’s Wimmera Art Fair, which aims to raise $8000 from the event for a second oncology chair in a new Wimmera Cancer Centre, will run from June 8 to 10 at Horsham Town Hall.

Club president Steve Holmes said this was an exciting year in many ways for the club.

“We are celebrating 41 years of promoting art in Horsham and to the wider Wimmera community, with the opening night considered a premier event,” he said.

“The club is grateful for the support from Stuart Hall from Terry White Chemmart because it has been some time since the club has had a major sponsor.”

Mr Holmes said the club had a history of providing physical and financial support to major projects in Horsham that improved community lifestyle.

He said artists can enter works in the art fair online at www.hreartfair.com and find out more from Gary Green on 0428 821 213.

Opening night tickets are available online at www.horshamtownhall.com.au.