The SE Voice’s much loved journalist “Fred” Smith believes he officially joined the ranks of the South Australian Living Artists last week when he mounted a display of almost 50 photographs of local people in the Millicent National Trust Museum.
“I should be wearing a kaftan and love beads to celebrate this new status but my trendsetting shaved head will suffice,” Fred joked.
“My former colleague Caroline Hammat and the Fifth Street Artists are also exhibiting at the museum for the annual SALA Festival during August as the theme is Portraits.
“I was pleased and flattered when Millicent National Trust secretary Selena Smith asked me to be a part of SALA.
“It is terrific the National Trust is involved this year and the entry fee to the museum has been heavily discounted.
“There are two exhibitions at the Millicent Gallery while Selena & Co are hosting a SALA event at their Thyme Cottage at Hatherleigh as they did a year ago.
“I do enjoy the photography side of the work of a country journalist and I have won some minor awards.
“It was good to talk to the people who are the subjects of the photos. There are sports photos, family groups, Anzac Day marches etc. You are bound to know many of the people.
“At the end of the SALA festival, I will give the re-prints to the subjects.
“Then I will set about choosing my entries for the annual Wattle Range Council photo show.”
