History
The Box Hill Art Group was started on the initiative of Professor Theodor Scharf. In 1952 he approached the Box Hill Council about starting an art group. Theo was born in Melbourne in 1899. His father Eduard, was a German musician and his mother was Australian. Considered an artistic prodigy he was taken to Germany in early 1914 to study art. He remained in Germany until 1952 when he returned to Melbourne for four years residing in Box Hill.
The Box Hill Council and the Chief Librarian were enthusiastic about Professor Scharf's proposal and on 2nd april 1952 the inaugural meeting, chaired by Councillor Reginald Sparks, elected Mrs J Rolls as President and Mr Billot, the Chief Librarian, as Secretary. The group was initially named "The Box Hill City Art Group". Rea and Dorothy Woodford were foundation members. Professor Scharf was the first tutor. Councillor McIntyre, the Mayor at the time, was also a strong supporter of the group and both coucillors were ultimately made Life Members of the group in appreciation of their dedicated support.
Initially the group met in the Irving Avenue tennis pavilion from 8:00 to 10:00 pm on a Tuesday evening. For a time there was also a childrens class from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, but this proved financially unviable. The Membership fee was 5 shillings per year and the class fee was about one pound ten shillings per term.
Acknowledgements:
The information on this page is based on the book
"The First Fifty Years of the Box Hill Art Group Inc.
A Celebration of the People and the Art."
compiled in 2003 by the late Joy Moore, a very gifted artist and a tireless worker for the group.
ABN: 75 593 958 13
