Daylesford Historical Society will hold another pop up exhibition over the Queen’s Birthday weekend this June.
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The exhibition will feature John Erskine Francis Grant, (1884-1957) who was a prominent member of the Daylesford community.
Grant was an art teacher at Daylesford Technical School from 1915 until 1941.
During his time there, his design technique, artistic flair and enthusiasm for the arts inspired hundreds of students to produce artworks still treasured by their families today.
Grant is most renowned for his designs and carvings of Australian flora and fauna on timber panels, which he was commissioned by the Victorian Department of Education to create for the Victoria Hall at Ecole Victoria in Villers-Brettonneux.
The carvings were made in memory of the Australians who died during the liberation of Villers-Brettonneux in France on April 24 and 25 1918.
The school was destroyed during the war but with the help of the government, Victorians set up a fund for donations to rebuild the school on its exact spot of destruction.
Grant’s work as an artist is very versatile, ranging from wooden carvings, to paintings, sculptures and engravings.
He also constructed furniture, memorial boards and public plaques.
Apart from his passion for the arts, Grant was also a prominent member of the community through his two stints as mayor of Daylesford, his establishment of a local fish hatchery and operator of Hollow Bank guesthouse.
He was also involved in many local organisations and causes.
After he retired, Grant became even more prolific, travelling through northern Victoria and South Australia to sketch and paint.
The exhibition will feature a number of paintings, carvings and objects created by Grant as well as examples of his former students artwork.
Many of these works are on loan, making the exhibition a special event.
The exhibition will be held at the Daylesford Museum on June 9, 10 and 11 from 10.30am until 4.30pm.