ARTS SOCIETIES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20104, 6 December 1930, Page 9

ARTS SOCIETIES.

ASSOCIATION FORMED. EXHIBITION IN LONDON DISCUSSED. (press association telegham.) WELLINGTON, December 5. The proposals put forward at a conference of delegates from New Zealand Art Societies, held some weeks ago in Wellington, reached a conclusion io-day with the formation of a New Zealand Association of Art Societies. This was done at a similar conference of delegates presided over by Dr. E. B. Gunson at tho Art Gallery. The delegates had reported to their respective societies in the meantime, and a resolution to form an Association of New Zealand Art Societies was carried. The purpose of the new Association is to provide for better co-ordination of the activities of Art Societies in the Dominion, and to handle effectively questions which concern them all. These questions may be domestic ones, such as the arrangement of exhibition dates to the best advantage, or they may be rather wider, as is the caso with the proposal of tho Royal British Colonial Society of Artists to hold an exhibition of work from the Dominions and Colonies.

Delegates attended to-day's conference as follows: —Auckland, Dr. E. BGunson (chairman), and Mr A. E. Currie; Manawatu, Mr G. IT. ElliottNapier, Mr R. llipkins; Otago, Mr I. Mcludoc; . Wellington, Colonel Carbery and Mr W. S. Wauchop; Now Zealand Institute of Architects, Mr S. W. Pearn and Mr W. M. Page. In the absence of a delegate Canterbury submitted a draft set of regulations for consideration after the resolution had been passed which resulted in tho formation of tho body. The Wellington delegates were authorised to appoint an honorary secretary and treasurer. Pictures for Loudon, One of the principal questions dealt with by the conference was the proposal of tho Itoyal British Colonial Society of Artists. Tho Society wished to hold an exhibition of overseas airt in the galleries of tho Royal Academy of Arts in London, and suggested that such ari exhibition should bo held cither in tho autumn of 1931 or the sprincr of 1932. Tho conference derided that if tho show were held in 1931 they would endeavour to send & collection of not more than 80 pictures, and if in 1932. a collection of not more than IGO. Tho collection would be representative of Now Zo.-b----land art, past and present, and representative. too, of New Zealand landscape, life, and character. For tho collection to Ix 3 truly along these lines, pictures would be required from public galleries, private collections, the current work of New Zealand and tho current work of New Zealand artists. Tho newly-formed Association would undertake tho selection of these pictures and the responsibility of assembling thein in Wellington. Delegates representing Wellington were instructed to approach the Government with a view to tho possibilitv of their subsidising the scheme by the provission of freight and carriage charges. Tho conference also considered the question of arranging exhibition dates in order to avoid clashes. and to facilitate the transportation of pictures by exhibitors. Approximate opening dates were fixed as follow: Christchurch, last Thursday in March ; Auckland, May sJoth; Wanganui. June 21st; Manawatu (Palmerston North), July 29th; Napier, August 2.3rd; Wellington, September 2oth ; Duncdin, November 7th. Wellington has to arrange dates for Nelson, and Otan° is required to do tho same for North Otago and Southland. three dates will come between November and April. Another decision of the conference was that pictures with excessive or unusual margins or mounts will be excluded from exhibitions. The same applies to pictures which are submitted in frames which are not rectangular.