Page image
Page image

42

E.—sb

Wood-carving Art School. —This school is established at South Kensington, in rooms connected with the City and Guilds of London Institute. Both day and evening classes are held. Some remarkably fine work is produced by this school, which undertakes commissions for various firms or private persons. Twelve free studentships are granted, six in the day and six in the evening classes. Students who have been twelve months in the school may receive payment for their work upon the committee's recommendation. Amongst the many excellent works published by Miss Eowe, the directress, may be mentioned the "Portfolios of Carvings of the South Kensington Museum." I suggest that double the ordinary grant be allowed by the Education Department to schools of art for craft instruction. Home Arts and Industries. —-This association is doing a valuable work, the object being to teach the minor arts to the working-classes, thus spreading a knowledge of artistic handiwork among the people. The intention is that the instruction should be given in such a manner as will develop the perceptive faculties and manual skill of the pupils, preparing them for possible entrance into trades, as well as increasing their resources and enjoyment. The methods employed are : (1.) The organization of classes in Great Britain and Ireland, in which attendance is entirely and teaching almost entirely voluntary. (2.) The distribution to these classes of selected designs and models, and leaflets of information. (3.) The maintenance of a central office and studio in London, where both voluntary and paid teachers can be trained. (4.) The publication of the report, in which class experiments are fully described. (5.) The holding of a yearly exhibition and sale, when the year's work is compared and criticized, and certificates awarded. The objects of the association are purely educational, and aim particularly at assisting isolated workers in very remote and poor districts. The following sections of work are aided: Drawing and design, geometry, modelling, joinery, carving in wood, carpentry, repousse-work in brass and copper, bent iron, hand spinning and weaving, toy-making, embroidery, ring-making, pottery, embossed and cut leather, bookbinding, basketmaking, &c. The members' subscription is £1 Is. or upwards per annum, and for class-holders (persons who organize the classes and act as mediums with the association), 10s. per annum. The suggestion given re classes is that one or two amateur workers join and get together a few pupils or scholars recommended by the schoolmaster of the district or other persons interested. Application is made by the class-holders for assistance from the association in the nature of advice as to materials, tools, &c, and for designs, thus enabling work to be commenced upon right lines. From experience in the matter of persons who are desirous of obtaining information, I am of opinion that such an association in New Zealand would meet with very considerable support, and enable much useful and good work to be done in remote districts or even in country towns where no art classes exist. It would, no doubt, be possible to affiliate with the Home institution, which would, I have reason to believe, give every possible advice and assistance. A small sum granted by the Education Department annually—say, £1 for £1 upon subscriptions—would, I think, enable this useful work to be commenced. Two illustrations (XXV. and XXVI.) are given of work under the Home Arts and Industries. 3. MISCELLANEOUS. Buildings and Appliances. —The Technical Instruction Act contemplates assistance towards this most important part of the work. Without suitable rooms and particular attention to the lighting of the same much difficulty will be encountered, and for this reason I think it a very wise provision that the department should give no assistance unless the plans of new arrangements or new buildings are satisfactory to them. In England this matter is very strictly dealt with by the Science and Art Department, and rightly so. At my request the latter department placed at my disposal plans of two buildings of approved dimensions suitable for New Zealand towns, and one of these buildings —at Accrington —I visited. In the matter of appliances I noted particularly the models, casts, and other requirements of the more important institutions visited. I also paid visits to such firms as Brucciani's, of Covent Garden, where the best of antiques approved by the Science and Art Department may be obtained; Messrs. Chapman and Hall, also of Covent Garden, for casts of ornaments, artistic publications, and models of building and machine-work; Messrs. Batsford, of Holborn, for art and science publications ; Messrs. Elkington, of Birmingham, for reproductions of metal-work; Messrs. Bacon and Co., Strand, for drawing and other charts; Messrs. Doulton and Co., Lambeth, for pottery, tiles, &c. ; as well as many other important firms. Those I have mentioned, however, may serve as a guide to schools desirous of purchasing such appliances, and in some instances I received special terms for supplies for New Zealand schools. I further visited the circulating branch of the South Kensington Museum, and hope that satisfactory results will follow my efforts on behalf of New Zealand, schools, particulars of which will be found under the heading of "Museums and Libraries." I would urge very liberal assistance being rendered to all art schools and classes in the matter of appliances, and particularly in illustrations of industrial arts and designs, and in suitable works for the school libraries, for such assistance is urgently required. The wealth of illustration to be found in English schools of art is one of the features of art education in the Home-country, and one which we in New Zealand must pay immediate attention to, if we desire reasonable success. I would recommend the department to give every possible assistance and advice as to the nature and selection of such appliances, particularly if grants are made in aid of the same. Examinations. —These are necessary on behalf of teachers and industrial workers, but I would suggest in future that ordinary students should cease to present themselves for examinations, additional time sketching being introduced in class-work in lieu of such examination. It is unfortunate that the examinations of the Science and Art Department and the City and Guilds of

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert