ART IN THE MANAWATU.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 119, 20 April 1932, Page 7

ART IN THE MANAWATU.

KEEN INTEREST IN FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION. APPRECIATION OF CITY SOCIETY. Artists and art lovers in New Zealand are taking a keen interest in the forthcoming exhibition of the Manawatu Society of Arts to be held in conjunction with the 'Manawatu A. and P. Association’s National Dairy Show iri June. It is recognised that the society, by its enterprising action in staging a comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Dominion art, supplemented by a valuable loan collection of the works of famous British artists, is making a valuable contribution to the cultural life of the community and at the same time considerably extending the field of influence of art in New Zealand. That this is widely understood and appreciated is shown by a reference made to the forthcoming exhibition by Dr. E. 13. Gunson, president of the Auckland Society of Arts, and president of the New Zealand Association of Art Societies. In the course of an address to the Auckland society this week, Dr. Gunson said: “The recognition of the need for closer co-operation between the art societies throughout New Zealand lias led largely on the initiative of this society, to the formation of a New Zealand Association of Art Societies, and much has already been achieved by this body. I will indicate one development only, in connection with the association ami it concerns the Manawatu Society. The Association of Art Societies has drawn up an exhibition rota and has been able to arrange that pictures exhibited at tne first exhibition of the year shall automatically circulate through _ the Dominion and be placed on exhibition at the headquarter towns of its constituent members, the individual societies paying the transport expenses of the approved work of its own members. By this arrangement Manawatu, a society with a very small but active membership, has been enabled to arrange an exhibition approximating in importance to that of the larger centres.

“To mark tho inauguration of the extended exhibition a special effort has been made by the Manawatu Society, with the co-operation of the A. and P. Association at Palmerston North, to make the occasion a memorable one. In addition to the exhibition of current art work by Dominion artists, it Iras been arranged to display a selected number of pictures loaned by the Mackelvie Trustees. When one realises that Palmerston North touches a population within a small radius, approaching 100,000, the importance of a development such as I have indicated is evident. Not only shall we afford an opportunity to this considerable section of the Dominion’s population to see representative work from abroad, but wo shall be able to introduce to them the work of our own artists in a manner otherwise impracticable. Developments such as this augur well for the future of art in New Zealand, a future full of possibilities.

“The public-spirited action on the part of the Mackelvie Trustees in loaning to Manawatu a selection of work from the Mackelvie Gallery is an example of co-operation which is so necessary in the wider interests of the fine arts.”

At its last monthly meeting the Manawatu Society of Arts had a record number of works on show, representing the month’s effort of twenty of the working members. Almost every branch of art was represented, including oil. water colours,, pastels, black and white and etchings. The society ijow has working members in "VVood'ville, Te Kuiti, Bulls and Pahiatua and it is confidently anticipated that its contribution to the forthcoming exhibition will be a most pleasant surprise to patrons. ' (