WELLINGION ART CLUB. INAUGURAL EXHIBITION.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 17, 20 July 1893, Page 2

WELLING ION ART CLUB. INAUGURAL EXHIBITION.

The private view of tlio pioturos at the inaugural exhibition of the Wellington Art Club in the Art Gallery, was largely attended last evening. Tho President (Mr. J. M. Nairn) deliveicd an addross, iv the oourso of which ho said that it was now eleven months sinoo the first mooting of tho club was held, and the enthusiasm with which the members had endeavoured to make the club a sneaessful working body was shown in tho sketohoe now hinging on tho walls. It was desirable that thoso rosnlts should be ozhibited, as showingthe first year's original work, embodying tho members' inspirationa according to the subjocts chosen lor practical illustration. This painting for oneself was the first step indicative of an effort to open up new ground in a new way — a form of art which had been almost disregarded in this oountry, owing to tho want of appreciation of any work out pt the beaten track. Similar clubs had been in oxistonoe for some time in Auokland, Christohurch, Dunedin, and Nelson, and the Wellington Club had to thank them for kind support. In Wellington there hod been, and was yet, a decided necessity for more intercourse among the art workers, either professional or amateur, and with so many young and promising aspirants about, they, ought to be brought more into touch with those loving art for its own sake. The New Zealand Academy of fine Artß offered no opportunity for this interchange of art thought further than a ohance meeting during its annual exhibition, a-d to supply this want the Art Club had been formed to load up, as it were, to" 'the more important institution. The olub had now 25 working members and four honorary, and on looking at the wqrk done in the past 11 months, pf embers must fool convinced that well was meant, But for the rule that any work exhibited publicly in Wellington previously would not be hnngat the Academy Exhibition in September, the club could have had a good many more important works on view. Howover, he thought it but right that the more important and finished work of brother and lister artists should bo reserved for tho Acadomy, and he trusted all would do their best to make the Exhibition the best in the colony. A short musical programme was gone through. Miss Henry and Mr. MooUuff Boyd contributed violin Bolos ; songs were given by Mrs. Parsons and Miss Parsons, and oonaerted musio was played by Mrs. Queree, Messrs. Manning, Hotop, and The exhibition was thrown open, to the Sublio this afternoon. This evening musical ;ems will be contributed by well-known amateurs.. The intention was to olose the exhibition to-night, bnt it is probable that the Committee .will decide to re-open tomorrow night, and alio on Sunday afternoon and evening. The Committee consist* of Misses Holmes, Biohardson. Smith, and Mabel Hill, Meaara. J. M., Nairn, A. D. Riloy, H. Seed, Palmer, J, Baillie, and Dr. Fell.