ART IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13869, 1 October 1908, Page 6

ART IN AUCKLAND.

PROPOSED "LIFE" SCHOOL. AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION, . A Lett Eft was read at the annual meeting of the Society of Arts last night, from Ml*. B. A. Armstrong, who wrote 'on behalf of the Auckland art students, stating that at a meeting held : on, Wednesday, September 16, it had been decided to approach the society and ask its assistance in the movement for the.establishment of a properly-constituted "life" school, properly " organised a*jid conducted competitions, and Government-endowed travelling scholarships for art students. ■ -ii"Dealing first with the "life" school, the letter continued, "this must, of course, include drawing from the nude, and the study of artistic anatomy, for it is by means of thorough knowledge alone that success in this branch may be looked.for. It is our wish that the Government, municipal bodies, etc., be approached in this matter, and we feel sure that with the assistance of the society, success will ultimately crown our efforts. We are not in any way desirous of disparaging any ; private classes or existing public institutions, as wo believe they are at present doing ail that lies in their power." '• " The letter also referred ' to the neglect of the competition- by competitors. It appeared to" the students that. if the competitions were properly organised, and held where subjects would allow, in the gallery, the society would find a ready response from the students, while the public, they felt /sure, would not be slow in giving practical assistance. .' Mr.,J. Fitzgerald said the matter was one of interest and importancei to all art workers. . . Mr. R. Phenan said the proposition had his hearty support. There had been a lack of opportunity for this particular study, and he thought the proposal came within the scope of the society, which should help the .students. as far as lay in its power. The study . was, >.' special branch of —one which regularly took people away from the Dominion owing to the lack of facilities for it here. , Mr. E. W. G. Ilathbone ; asked if any inquiries had been made as to the cost of models and a teacher. : Mr. Armstrong said there were no details 60 far available. The President (Mr. E. E. Vaile) moved that the matter be referred to the incoming committee for consideration. The society, he said,' was not sufficiently *in funds to provide a teacher. v # Then there would be a practical difficulty in obtaining models, apart from' paying them. The students; if they desired to improve themselves, be prepared to pay fees for a competent teacher. Mr. Pheney, in seconding the motion, said the students wore not asking: the: society for money. As the "representative of art, they wanted the society: to place the matter before Parliament, ; and carry on We pioneer work to a successful issue. ! The motion was carried., _*. ■ " ! Mr. Kathbone, after referring to the ; failure of the competitions, said that if the society provided a room and a model was secured, he would undertake to pay' ; the model's fee, and give a prize, contingent on a 'competition 5 in that particular class being held under the auspices of the ! society. ■■;■■