IMPROVEMENTS TO OLD ART GALLERY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21647, 4 December 1935, Page 19

IMPROVEMENTS TO OLD ART GALLERY

NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RELINING OP WALLS

Two improvements will be carried out in the Durham Street Art Gallery before the Canterbury Society of Arts holds its next exhibition. A new system of lighting, which was approved by the council of the society at its meeting yesterday afternoon, will be installed, and. the walls will be lined with burlap, the gift of an anonymous donor, to a height of nine feet from the dado in the main gallery, and six feet in the smaller gallery. It was stated that the new system of lighting would enable pictures to be . seen equally well at night as in the daylight. It consisted of electric lamps pl&ced at intervals of three feet In metal troughs ducoed white." The level of the lamps would be lower than that of the present gas lamps, and the light would be thrown directly on the pictures. The lamps would be concealed from the eye. With the new lining, which had cost £25, a great improvement would be made in the displaying of pictures. It was also -stated that the society had been granted this sum of £SO from the estate of Mr George Jameson. Mr A. F. Nicol said that the Society should pay attention to the purchase of new paintings MrG. L. Donaldson, the secretary, .said that the amount now available under the Bowker bequest for this purpose was £24. It is intended to holal the annual exhibition so that it Will close at the end of Easter," if the dates do not clash with those arranged by , the Auckland Society of Arts. The Govern nor-General, who is the-patron of the society, is to be invited to open the exhibition.