Arts and Crafts in Big Show Exhibit

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7486, 9 June 1934, Page 6

Arts and Crafts in Big Show Exhibit

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE AND ART SOCIETY COMBINE The truth of the dictum that one of the chief functions of art is to adorn and ennoble the common things of life should be strikingly exemplified at tho National Dairy Show opening .in Palmerston North next Wednesday when one of the outstanding attractions will undoubtedly be the combined exhibition to bo staged by the Women’s Institutes and the Manawatu Soiecty of Arts. For two years past the Art Society has conducted its annual show of the works of New Zealand artists in the spacious entertainment hall on the Showgrounds, but this year an arrangement has been come to whereby half of the space will be occupied by homecrafts made by tho nimble lingers of members of tho North Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes. The degree of ingenuity displayed and the high standard/ of artistic effort, achieved by these clever workers caused unbounded interest at the National Flower Show, and it is anticipated that even better and more varied work will be on show next week. Further evidence of the happy connection between tho Art Society r s exhibit and the Institute’s effort will be noted in the decision to stage a complete display of Maori crafts in a model meeting house, the whole of the work in this section being contributed by skilled Maori members of Institutes in this district* This year should see a notable collection of pictures on the -walls, for not only will New Zealand artists be well represented, but by the generosity of the trustees of the Sargeaut Art Gallery, Wanganui, a choice loan collection of works of noted British artists will give added interest and value to the exhibition. Members of the Art Society are now Busy unpacking and hanging tho pictures, and the entertainment hall for the next few days will be one of the busiest spots on the Showgrounds.