NATURAL HISTORY STUDY

Evening Star, Issue 25068, 8 January 1944, Page 8

NATURAL HISTORY STUDY

DRAWING GLASS AT MUSEUM EXHIBITION OF YEAR'S WORK An interesting display of the year's work of the Children's Arts and Crafts Club of the Otago Museum is at present on view at the Museum. It includes drawings ot a remarkably high standard and specimens of weaviug of flax fibre and preparations from the raw material. The club, which is open to children between the ages of eight and 14 of any school, meets each-Friday afternoon for drawing instruction, and the children benefit considerably from the opportunities. to study unusual exhibits in the Museum for drawing and to acquire wide general knowledge in natural history. The drawings now on display are highly creditable for children within the age groups and indicate the value of the club work. Miss L. A. Daff, of the Museum staff, is in charge of the club, and she has been particularly successful in capturing the interest of the children and developing an enthusiasm for drawing and studying, museum exhibits. The numbers of cfiildren attending tho classes have not been large, but the club has been a group of. real enthusiasts. The young children will benefit considerably from their acquired knowledge of the resources of the Museum as well as from tho drawing lessons. . Some posters in the display show considerable enterprise on the part of the, children. Calculated to develop public . interest in the Museum, the posters show refreshing originality and touches of humour which are always effective in poster -work. The drawings of specimens in the Museum are of interest in that they show an individuality which is particularly pleasing. Within certain limits, each club member "draws whatever he likes as he likes. and the examples now on show are entirely original work, done without actual assistance. from the class leader. Marks are awarded each week for drawing, for regular attendance, for behaviour, tidiness, and other merits, and a ladder of marks is compiled each year.. This ladder bears witness to the striking enthusiasm of some of the children. The winner of the director's prize for the, last . year's , work was James WakeHn, .who is strongly represented in the club' display, particularly in f memory and specimen drawings. Others •whose drawings drew commendation were Rae King. Betty Tombs, Hazel Craig, and Arthur Prattley. Among the younger children Sheila Ryburn, Pamela Davidson, and Gerald Pitchfield attracted attention. Examples of weaving by Valerie Clark and Louise Harris were exhibited.