HE began his career as a window dresser at David Jones in Hunter Street in 1974. Now, 40 years later, Mark St Clair has again graced the windows of the former department store with his artistic flair.
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As a 16-year-old novice window dresser he began to learn the trade working on the middle window in Wolfe Street. This window was reserved for grocery items, and it would be a full two years before he was allowed to work on the big windows on Hunter Street which were used to display the season’s fashions.
He was one of six full-time window dressers employed at DJs. All were men.
Mr St Clair was back at the store this week to dress the windows with the works of Newcastle-based artist Andrew Finnie.
As part of Now, that’s a Newcastle Christmas, organised by Newcastle Now, Mr Finnie has produced an advent calendar comprised of digital works of art depicting Santa across the city.
Hidden within the works are messages and characters that will appeal to children and adults alike.
One work of art will be unveiled each day.
This Christmas 64 shop windows in the CBD have been decorated as part of a competition run by Newcastle Now.
The display will be launched on Thursday at 5.30pm with a foot-tour of the featured windows, starting at the old Newcastle Post Office.
