SKETCH EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 103, 3 May 1919, Page 6

SKETCH EXHIBITION

OPENED AT ARTS ACADEMY.

The sketch exhibition opened at the Academy of Fine Arts last night was generally acknowledged to be the finest of its kind yet held in Wellington. Over 400 sketches, many of them the work of well-known artists, were on view, and a good proportion of them are of such, merit as to be able to withstand severe criticism. The large number of people who inspected them last night were enthusiastic in their praises.

Mr. H. M. Gore, president, in declaring the exhibition open, referred to the loss the council had suffered by the death of Mr. Alfred Atkins, one of its most energetic and useful members. The council felt his loss very greatly indeed. A matter in which he had been specially interested was the formation of a National Art Gallery as a memorial to the soldiers who had laid down their lives in the great war, and to lose him at such a time was felt by those organising the campaign to be an incalculable .misfortune. Not only was he missed as an invaluable member of the council, but as a friend his place could not be filled. The President also welcomed back Mr. Nugent Welch, one 'of Wellington's leading artists, who had been serving at the front. They were all delighted to see him among them Again, and equally delighted that he had been selected by the War Office as ■ divisional artist to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. It had been confided to him that Mr. Welch had done good work in this connection, and he had also several canvases on hand. They were indeed pleased to see him back safe and sound, and likely to go on with, his work as of old. ' On behalf of the academy he extended a very hearty welcome to Mr. Welch. _ (Applause.) He had much pleasure in declaring the exhibition open. The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.