ACADEMY OPENING

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 23, 21 October 1944, Page 8

ACADEMY OPENING

Brilliant Gathering

Indistinguishable from_ pre-war days was the opening of the 56th annual exhibition of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington last night, when 600 members, artists and visitors crowded the wide room in the D.I.C. which is the academy’s wartime gallery. Since the war began, the wearing of formal clothes at private views has been optional, but guests at this year’s opening reverted to dinner jackets and floorsweeping skirts, making a brave showing in which no wartime stint was manifest. The pictures were frequently obscured by the throng of guests who met to make the occasion outstanding socially. Black was the colour chosen by many women guests. A huge pink rose edged with lily of the valley and set at the neck of a dignified black gown struck an individual note, and dozens of rich furs aud evening wraps were adorned with clusters of choice blooms. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, patron of the academy, made the opening speech, and Lady Newall was also present. Their Excellencies were received by the president, Air. G. G. Gibbes Watson and Airs. Watson. Lady Newall carried a gold-coloured evening bag to complement her trailing gown of wine red chiffon velvet and its long-sleeved coatee, which was brilliant with glistening gold, bronze, silver and scarlet shaded sequi.us. With it she wore a pair of long sparkling ear-rings and a double row of pearls. Others in the official party were the American Alinister in New Zealand, Mr. K. S. Patton, and Mrs. Patton, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand, Sir Harry Batterbee, and Lady Batterbee, Air. and Airs. Ernest W. Hunt. Air. and Mrs. W. S. Wauchop and Air. E. D. Gore, secretary.