Design and Art Australia Online

Painter and teacher Frances Cecil Ross was the eldest daughter of teacher Edith Ross. Cecil had shared a governess with Judge Burnside’s son and then was taught in her mother’s school, which later became Miss Parnell’s. Ross won the Society of Arts drawing competition for students in all art schools in 1907. Ross was the star pupil at Perth Technical School in 1912 and became Art Teacher at Claremont Technical School, Miss Parnell’s (later St Hilda’s) and Christchurch Grammar School. She taught at Claremont Technical School from 1914-1926 when she married widower Vernon Eagleton. Designers such as Rowley Burtenshaw were enrolled at the School in the early years. He went on to become head designer at Caris Bros the jewellers. Ross’ daughter Frances Moran also became a painter. Ross’ 1923 exhibit was described in the following terms: “Miss C. Ross shows three pleasant little pictures of which The Pool Crawley is notable for its freshness of treatment.”

Writers:

Dr Dorothy Erickson

Date written:

2010

Last updated:

2011