Donald McNamee was born in 1938 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, and grew up in Moose Jaw. He studied at the University of Saskatchewan with Eli Bornstein, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in 1961. McNamee went on to earn a Master of Arts (1963) and a Master of Fine Arts (1966), both from Ohio State University. He returned to Saskatchewan to teach at the University of Saskatchewan, where he remained until 1986, when he established his own architectural design business.
McNamee began exhibiting in the early 1960s. His work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in Canada and the United States, including at the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa, 1968). Collections in which his work can be found include the Saskatchewan Arts Board, Kazimir Gallery (Chicago), Mendel Art Gallery (Saskatoon), and the Dunlop Art Gallery (Regina).
In addition to his involvement in Saskatoon's art community, he was also a prominent member of the city's gay and lesbian community, participating in the development of the first gay organization in Saskatoon, the Zodiac Friendship Society, and being involved as a founding member of the Coalition for Human Equality.
Donald McNamee passed away in 1994 in Saskatoon.
