SCHOOL OF ART.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10265, 7 February 1899, Page 3

SCHOOL OF ART.

ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

The annual exhibition of the work of the students of the School of Art was opened yesterday, and will, continue during the week, Saturday inclusive.

Coming first to the department of free hand and model, which is the foundation of the work of the school, there are noticeable evidences of improvement on last year's results. The mosti prominent in the department of freehand is the work of E. Henshall, A. W. Kemp, Miss L. Dash, Miss Symes, Miss Barrett, Miss Blakesly, C. Bennington and J. Buchanan. In the model the exhibits worthy of mention are those of Misses Comerford, Rankin, Cook, Aherne, and Mr A. Peppier. In the department for modelling and casting in clay far better work has been done than before. There is elementary work done from the cast and work from the flat done from photograph or drawing. Then there are the further stages of design from nature and the con-vention-Ikon from nature. In the elementary modelling the work of Misses Woodhouse and Grand deserve notice. It may be remarked in connection with this department of the school that in the Wellington district they have commenced to teach modelling in clay in the State schools. Here also it is being done, Miss Grand teaching it in the Normal school and another teacher having introduced it into the West Cbristohurch school. The other work deserving notice is that of Misses Gudsall, Mating, Turner and Piatt, and Mr J. H. Suckling. In the advanced class Miss Abbott and Miss Garsia send two good busts, and Misses Ford and Green have also some excellent work. In the modelling from nature Mr H. H. Green has a good exhibit. Mr P. Gudsall sends a fine exhibit of a frieze from a drawing, and Mr G. Hart an excellent one designed, modelled and cast by him. The drawings from the antique show marked improvement as a whole. Of the ones most noticeable are thosa of Misses Garsia, Gudsall and Woodhouse. In the elementary section the exhibit of Miss Pratt is deserving of commendation. For the completed work Miss Abbott takes the free studentship; Miss Ch-mbers, L. W. Booth and A. L. Ford dn (for honourable mention. The drawings accepted at South Kensington for the Art Class Teachers' Certificate are exhibited. These are by Messrs C. Kidson and — Thompson. In tne elementary still life the exhibits of Misses Munday, Bussell and G. Bell deserve notice. In the advanced class Miss Turner sends a fine study of a pair of ducks, excellently done, and Miss Turner a good flower study. The exhibits of Mr R. Procter and Miss Abbott in this class are deserving of praise.

A new class has been recently instituted in the School, under Mr A. W. Walsh. This is for ornamental lettering and painting, and is designed for decorators, coach painters, sign writers, 4c. The instruction in the class is intended to give freedom and power in drawing out and-painting to a large scale ornamental forms and lettering for trade purposes, and also to give those who have prepared designs in the decorative design class an opportunity of carrying them out in a practical manner. It includes sketching floral forms in outline with chalk, brush, or charcoal on boards and canvases, plain tnd ornamental lettering, setting out and executing in tempera and oil colour, geometrical and other ornament, and decorative painting in grisaille. It is satisfactory to note that the advantages offered, to tradesmen by the new class have been pretty freely taken advantage of. Tbe designs are first drawn in charcoal or chalk on the blackboard, paper, or canvas, and afterwards painted with the ordinary tools used in every day work. Of the work exhibited special mention may be made of that by G. Bradley. H. Bradley, T. W. Owen, T." Gudsall, and H. V. Danson. H. Bradley also has some excellent specimens of stencil work, painted panels, and a capital Iwkl light d—ign»d and mad* by him. Tho

landscape paintings this year are, as a whole, better than last, though some inequality is | noticeable. Miss C. Packer takes the free studentship in monochrome in this class, with Miss A. M. Beath second. The honourably mentioned are Misses H. Mclntyre and R. M. Dixon. In the studies from life Miss Abbott and Miss Ford are equal for the free studentship; Miss Chambers, and Messrs Booth and E. Thompson receiving honourable mention. In the painting in colour the exhibits of Miss Abbott and Mr Proctor are most notice—ble. In the life classes the full figure studies are excellent. Previous to last year there had not been a single full figure study done in the School. In the drawing from the nude the exlu'bits of H. Garsia, Procter. Booth, and E. Thompson are noticeable. There is also for the first time a very fine full figure modelled in clay, exhibited by C. Brassingtou. H. Garsia has some charming pen and ink sketches. Remembrances of a former teacher in tho School—Miss Munnings—now a missionary at- Poonali, are seen in some excellently painted sketches of Indian life and scenery. A bas relief head from life by Miss Ford and a bas relief full figure br C. Brassington deserve notice. There is a very fine display of wood carving in the different branches of chip carving, low relief, and full relief. All the work is very beautifully done, and will well repay careful inspection. Miss Smith has some excellent trays of original design in chip carving, and Mrs Drusilla Wilson, Miss E. Munday, and Miss J. Davie in relief work. The architectural drawings, though not so numerous as last year, are still quite equal, if not superior, in point of execution. In fact, this year shows work equal to anytliing ever done in the School in this class. Special mention is due to the exhibits of G. Hart and G. F. Munnings. The former has also a beautiful piece of work in measurements and drawings of the pulpit in Christchurch Cathedral.

There are three competitors for the prize offered by E. Recce arid Sons for the" best design fer wrought iron fireplace set, fender dogs, fire irons, and bracket grate. There are three competitors, and of these the designs of G. Hart and J. F. Munnings deserve notice. Original decorative designs for surface decorations in colour and foliated designs for filling in spaces by J. Buchanan and Miss G. A. Maling show'marked ability. The prize designs for the cover of the Wellington Art Society catalogue, by A. G. Abbott, and the design for the Canterbury Art Society cover, by Mr E. Bartley, are exhibited, as also the prize design for certificate of the Industrial Association Art Scholarship!, won by G. Hart. Miss E. M. Clark has some excellent designs'for decorative dado and hall fillings. Of these Mr bey has sent Home some for reproduction and manufacture. Messrs Recce and Sons have also sent Home for reproduction some of the exhibitors' designs for artistic tiles. The same lady has some fine ceiling decorations and plaques, and Mr P. Gudsall sends four finely worked sheets of decorative designs for filling spaces. The Exhibition, it may be noted,' is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7to 9 p.m. Yesterday there was a good attendance of visitors.