SCHOOL OF ART.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11547, 1 April 1903, Page 3

SCHOOL OF ART.

The Art Master reported: — Aβ compared with 1901, the number of students in attendance has been as follows : — 1901. Morn. After. Even. Sat. Tl. Ist Term 29 2 135 62 228 (Including 1 extra attending nude class only in morning.) 2nd Term 28 3 123 81 235 (including 2 do.) 3rd Term 26 1 186 170 383 1902. Ist Term 27 1 203 138 369 2nd Term 29 4 175 101 309 (including 3 do.) 3rd Term 29 2 155 85 273 (including 4 do.) Drawing and Painting.—The etandard of work in the various branches has been more than maintained, especially in painting and drawing from the life and landscape. There ia not so much work from still life, including painting from flowers, as in former years, the time being more occupied with modelling and applied art. Toe drawing from the nude figure is better than last year's work. Modelling, Casting, and Moulding.—This work has been much on the same lines as last year, most of the work being from ornament und the antique, some of the ndvanced students liave done come good busta from life. The moulding and casting show cleaner and more workmanlike result? than hitherto. The young tradesmen, to whom this da>ss would benefit, such as plasterers, carvers, etc., do not attend so largely oe I would like. Wood and Stone Carving and Repousse Work.—The average attendance has been about the same as last year, the work benig much of the same character, except in ■vpousse which has been a little more ambitious. Much mere carving in high reiHii it now btina daiu thui »rm»W. **t>l

I om pleased to s-ee an advance in the :ti:vjunt and character of original work, though still there ie room for improvement iv this respect, too many being content to copy their designs or rely for tliem on the instructor. Needlework. —A few who have studied design, and drawing have turned their attention to this, amongst other branches ot applied art, and produced some good original pieces of lace work. There is no branch of work in which, speaking gonerally, there is more bad copied work being done, the market being llondcd with designs, and it would be of immense benefit if a class could be established, restricted largely to original work and led by a good needlewoman, trained in art and design. I am not without hope that something may be attempted in this direction before long. Painters and Decorators' Work. —This class shows a further advance in attendance. It has now established three years, the average- attendance being:— ' 190 C—lß. .. 1901—20. .. 1902—23. If there is a further increase this year itwill be necessary to appoint another instructor, as one man cannot efficiently cope with a large number doing euch varied work. The increase is no doubt partially due to the better facilities now provided, whereby more advanced and varied work can be undertaken. All branches of the painter's business have been practised, and a high standard of -workmanship has been attained. The interest taken by the Painters' Union and by Mr Sey, one of the master painters, has been very helpful to this claas. Decorative Design.—Considering its important relation to the studies of a large number of students, the attendance, at least in the evening, and especially in the advanced section, has been anything but satisfactory. With about forty students taking applied art in one form or another, there ought to be more than an average

attendance of some ha:f-dozen, and unle. , * there is an improvement I shall be compelled to recommend its discontinuance, ami the work taken in some other way by trying to interweave it with the other work more intimately and directly. The students axe strangely neglectful of what would be to their advantage in this work. Architecture and Building Construction —This shows a pleasing contrast to the last class, and a still further advance in number, the average attendance for tho last three years being : — 1900—20.".. 1901—39. .. 1902—48. Both elementary and advanced sections have done good work. I hope this year to obtain a set of models, which is urgently needed for illustration of lectures, and for use by the students. An interesting and instructive series of lectures was given on the history of architecture, but not attended as they deserved to be. Practical Woodwork.—This class, intended principally for carpenters and joiners, was started the second term of last year, and is meant to co-ordinate with the classes in building construction and geometry. Tha students have so fur had to bring their own tools, which has proved an inconvenience, and deterred some from joining. Arrangements huve been made to provide these, and a good class ought now to be built up. Geometry and Perspective.—There is again a marked advance in attendance to record in these subjects, the average for the last three years being: — ■ 1900—27 ..' 1901—76 .. 1902-96 The elementary class is again largely answerable for this success, and! is doing really first-class work. Geometry and Pattern Drawing for Tinemiths.—This claas was eiaitedrtho second term of last year, for the special application of geometry to tin and. eheet-metal work. After an elementary course in solid and plane geometry, subjects aTe taken from every-day trade requArem>e,nts, drawn on paper or direct on to cardboard, and then cut and built up in this material. The ■work has proved of great benefit to those attending, and it is hoped to take more advanced work this session.

Manual Training Work.—Considering the importance now attached to this work, by all foremost educationists in, its relation to primary school work, the Governmentate rightly encouraging it here, and to tins end the teach-ers throughout the colony are being urged ainl fcelpixi to qualify themselves in different subjects urder this hea<l. Wβ have efttubj&h&d clawsso in various branches—such us paperrcuttiag, mounting and weaving, h-ee arm work, curdboa.nl modelling, braslnvoilj and modelling in plasticine, etc. There has been a largo attendance, especially in the two latter subjects, as many as 170 attending in'one term. Examinations (have been held and certificates granted on the courses of work given.

Soholanshaps (Canterbury Industrial Association). —Two scholarships were competed for test December, entitling the winirers to two years' free tuition. The successful candidates were:—F. R. Flatmam, painter, age 14; -D. Barwaker, carpenter, age 16. Scholarships (Buildera' Association). Two are- offered annually, cne to those under 20 and over 18, and one -to those undfer 18. The competition, was held in December, the winners being:—Senior division, 'E. Maynard, carpenter, age 18; junior division, D- B. Green, carpenter, age 16.

Free Studentships.—The seven l free studentships offered by tike Board for annual competition on the past year's work (have been awarded an follows":—Morning Class—(Heaid from life*, in colour, Mire K. C. Beath; landscape from nature, Miss E. B. Luxton; still life, Miss A. Howell. Evening Class—Head from life, F. H. Cumberworth and Miss E. Freeman (a3(j.); drawing from the antique, C. F. Kelly ; architecture, L. R. Smithy decorative design, Miss lE. B. Luxton.

State School Scholarships.—An annual free studentship is given to the head boy in dlrawing in each school in the North Canterbury Educational district having over 170 pupils. The awards for 1902 were: — East Christcfiurch, Arthur Horwell; New Brighton, Leonard Checkley; Fendalton, Algernon Parker; Lyttelton, Percy R. Webb; Spreydon, RicWd Flaiman; Addington, Lawson Brown; Waltham, Mostyn P. Jonee; West Christohuxch, Fred. Rowe; Woolston, George T. Owen; St. Albans, Arthur Philpott; Sydenham, Alfred Hobbs; Ooawa, Andrew Morrison ; Rangiora, Hector T. Avers; Richmond, Robert B. Bum.

State School Scholarships (Girls').— The Boaj-d decided last year to offer 10 scholarships for competition amongst tne girls of the State schoole in the district; 6 to schools having not less than 400 pupils on the roll, and 4 to those having less than 400. They entitle the winners to free tuition for one year in the morning class. The let competition was held last April, end the folowina; awards 'made: — Ist Clutten, Dora—Normal 2nd Gibb, Annie M.—Eaat Christchurcti 3rd Luxton, Ada—East Chratohurch 4th Rogers, Thomasine—Addington sth Menzies, Isabel—West Chrkstchurch 6th Jameson, Doris—East CThristchurch 7th Comerford, Winifred—Fendalton Bth Broadhurst, Sfcello—Opawa. PRIZES (OUTSIDE COMPETITIONS). Canterbury Society of Arts: — Head from Life (in Colour): A. E. Abbott. Landscape from Nature: W. S. Earwaker. Designs for Catalogue: J. S. Guthrie. Original Decorative Art Work: K. Allison Wanganui Society of Arte and Crafts: — Head from Life in Black and White: T. Williamson. Wellington Society of Arts: — Head from Life in Colour: E. B. Lnxton. Head from Life in Black and White: E. B. Luxton. Painters' Union and Nicholson Prizee: — Section 1. Freehand and Model:—Union and Nicholson: Ist H. McDonald; 2nd Not awarded. Section 2. Geometry:—Union and Nicholson; Ist H. S. Philpott; 2nd D. C. Gilbert. Section 3a. Elementary Signwriting:— Union and Nicholeon: , Ist H. W. Crcrwe; 2nd D. a Gilbert. Sectkm 3b. Advanced -Writing:—Union Ist H. W. Crowe; 2nd H. S. Philpott. Nicbo".eon: let H. W. Crowe; 2nd R. Simpson. ** ' . Section 4. Stencil and Border:—Union: i«t n. o. aiiuti.M v.<M»»u...

eligible. Nicholson: letß. Simpson; 2nd D. C. Gilbert. Section 5: Fries* Design to Wall Filling: —Union: list A. Hillier; 2nd W. S. Ear•waker. Nicholson: Ist (J. Sey; 2nd H. W. Crowe. PRIZES: — Modelling from the cast or life (Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs'): Advanced, E. B. Luxton; Elementary, first, M. Kebbell. R«»t Attendance, Painten* , Class (Mr W. Sey'e): First, L. Jones. H. S. Philpott. (.}.' Sey; eecond, G. DAuthrean, D. O. Gilbert-. Best Progress in Painters' Class (Mr W. Sey's): First, G. D'Authrean; second, H. W* Crowe. Best Set of Building Construction Drawings aril Results iv Annual Examination (Elementary)—(Mr Fielder's prize): First, D. B. Green; second; D. Earwaker. Best kept Note-Book on Lectures in Advanced Buildiug Construction (Mr Fielder's) : First, A. J. Gray. Best Design for a Band Rotunda (Architectural Association prize): First, H. Hall. Best kept Note-books of Lectures on Architecture and Building Construction (Architectural Association prize): First, HHall; second, L. Roy-Smith. Local Examinations. —These were held in December. The- results are as follows: — Second GnuL\ Passes. Freehand . • • • .. 65 Model 63 Geometry .. • • .. 7 Perspective . . '.. . . 9 Blackboard . . . . • • 6 Full Second Grade Certifi><U«s 5 Other Subjects: — Brushv.ork— Passes. Advanced Stage .. ..16 Elementary Stajc . . .. 74 Modelling in Plasticine— Advanced Stayje . . . . 6 Elementary Stags . . .. 54 Modelling from Cast in Clay— Elementary Antique • • 1 Elementary Ornament • • 2 Firet. Grade Geometry . • .. 25 Free Arm Work for the Standards . . . ■ .. 4 Cardboard and Modelling .. 2 Tinsmiths' Geometry and Pattern Driving .. . . 5 Appii-jd Geometry for Buil;brn 2 Building Construction- ■ First year . . .. . . 14 Second year .. . . 8 Architecture — History and Design .. . . .. 4 Decorative Design—Elementary .. •. .. 8 Advanced .. .. 1 City and. Guilds of London Institute Examinations: — Painters' and Decorators' Work.—Or* dinary Grade: First class 1, eecond class 1. Education Department of Great Britain. (Late Science and Art Department, South Kensington.) Examinations, 1901.—r(Those for 1902 are not yet to hand). First Second Claris. Glass. Freehand . • .. 3 2 Model .. . • 1 5 Geometry .. ~.2 — • Perspective. . .. — 1 Elementary Deeign .. — 1 Painting Ornament .. — 1 Building Construction 1 1 Light and Shade .. — 3 Annual Exhibition and Prize Diatribe* tion.— These were held lest February. The Hon. W. C Walker, C.M.G., Minister for Education, opened the new buildings aad distributed the prizes. The addition^ room and better appliances have proved, o) immense benefit. Gifts.—Qifte have been made by the fol. lowing, to whom our sincere thanks Mi given:— ' . . Monthly volume "Artist," Messrs ,WWt«. combe and Tombs; monthly volume "Journal of Decorative Art," Mr W. Se/Jj monthly volume "Cabinet? Worker," SCr Peppier. ~ , , ■ ■ ■* ■ Prizes, eta: Painters' Union,- Mr Vf. Sey» Mr Finder, and Architects , Awgoirtfoty / I have again to thank my staff for their hearty co-operation in, making the yeei's work a success.—l have, etc., G. H. ELLIOTT, Headmaster.