Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9142, 25 August 1888, Page 4

We are glad to learn that Dr. Campbell, on the unanimous request of the Committee of the Society of Art, has consented to act as one of the vice-presi-dents of the Society, filling the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Albiii Martin. Dr. Campbell has for many years past done much to foster and make known any artistic talent there may be existing among us. His free school, or art class, to which such frequent reference has been made, invites all to enter and cultivate such talent as they possess without charge tu themselves of any kind. If the talent' is not here, it cannot be produced, but the annual inspection of the work done shows that the school is a means of imparting much technical knowledge to many who could not otherwise afford to obtain it, and is doing a considerable amount of good. There appears to be a tendency among artists, we may observe, to split into little faction!), which must be detrimental to the interest of art in general. To be of the greatest service to themselves, to art, and to the public, they must work together, striving to advance themselves in their profession, and to create a taste in the public mind to appreciate iirstclass work by constantly producing it. Any such friction, if it exists, will be materially lessened, if not removed altogether, by Dr. Campbell's acceptance of office. We congratulate the artists and the public on his doing so, for he has been an attentive observer of the works of the great masters in many noteworthy European collections, and his artistic tastes and judgment will prove of service in advancing colonial art.