ART lovers have a final chance to see a centenary exhibition marking the birth of a Wye Valley artist and war veteran this month.

Otto Maciag, born in Hungary in 1918, was Head of Art at Monmouth School for 31 years after taking up the post in 1947, and spent most of his life here after the end of the Second World War.

The artist grew up and was educated in Poland before the outbreak of war tore his family apart.

He fought for the defence of Poland in September 1939, but trapped between Russian and German invaders, crossed into Romania and was interned.

With forged papers he escaped reaching Lebanon and finally Marseilles where he joined the Polish Armed Forces in the West.

After the fall of France he managed to reach Britain and was stationed with an anti-aircraft artillery unit in Scotland, where he was able to join wood engraving, linocut and life-drawing classes there.

In 1944, fighting as an officer in the First Polish Armoured Division, he took part in the Normandy landings, and fought in France, Belgium and Holland.

The centenary exhibition at Monmouth Museum contains work by Otto, who died in 2000, and pupils and people he inspired.

Monmouthsire Museums’ curator Anne Rainsbury said: “As Head of Art, he touched many lives and influenced their course, providing them with a solid foundation in drawing, painting and ceramics, as well as teaching history of art and architecture.

“Looking around the exhibition demonstrates the impact that he had on those who were able to carve out successful careers of their own.”

The exhibition runs until Sunday, June 30.