ART EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10309, 30 March 1894, Page 5

ART EXHIBITION.

The fourteenth annual exhibition o£ the Canterbury Society of Arts was formally opened last evening by the President of the Society, the Hon K. C. J. Stevens. There was a good attendance. In the afternoon there had been a private view, confined to the members of the society, during which the President had entertained those present. Throughout the evening musical items were given under the directorship of Mr H. Weir. Miss Mabel Bell and Miss Alice Greenwood sang solos, Mr. M. Stokis played violin solos, Mr A. Millar and Mr H. Weir sang solos. Miss Bell played a piano solo, and Miss Alice Greenwood and Mr Weir sang a duet. Mrs Edgar and Miss 801 l played the accompaniments. The exhibition ie to continue open daily from 10 a.m. for three weeks.

Since last year important alterations and additions have been carried out at the galleries. The main gallery has been lengthened by 20ft, making the total length 82£t by 42ft broad. A small room oft' the main ball, connected with the new gallery, will be used for watercolours in connection with the' permanent collection. On the Durham Street frontage a handsome front, one-story high, has been built in brick and stone, designed in a freely-treated Gothic style. A spacious vestibule, with roomy ante-rooms on either side, admits to the new large gallery 52ft long by 46ft broad. This is lighted by a raised skylight, running nearly the whole length of the gallery. The permanent collection belonging to the society will be housed here, and as soon as arrangements are complete it is intended to open the collection to the public on certain days of the week. The hall will be available for meetings, receptions and other public gatherings. The floor has been specially set on springs for dancing, and carefully laid. The revenue derived from the letting of the gallery is to be eet aside to form a fund for the purchase of good works, o£ an educational nature, by European artiste. By this means, without calling upon the public for subscriptions, a very valuable collection will be gradually annwapd.