SOCIETY OF ARTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 14

SOCIETY OF ARTS.

PROVISION OF NEW HOME. ATTRACTING MORE MEMBERS. CRITICISM OF EXHIBITION. The provision for a new home for the Auckland Society of Arts, to replace the hall in Kitchener Street which was sold some time ago, was mentioned by Dr. K. B. Gunsoti, president of the society, in his address to members at the annual meeting last evening. Ho said that negotiations wore still in progress with the City Council and the University College Council for accommodation in the proposed Fine Arts Building, but the council of the society had to provide for premises to be used in the meantime.

"A lloor space, measuring 95ft. by 32ft., is being leased ill tho now Queen's Arcade, which adjoins tho Dilworth Building," Dr. Gunson added. "This accommodation is on the second floor and will enable us to provide facilities for tho Sketch Club and a permanent gallery for the display of tire work of our working members. The gallery will have overhead lighting and will be of sufficient size to provide accommodation for oneman shows. Lectures and Demonstrations. "While the council considers that these activities warrant it in undertaking expenditure such as tho new home will involve, it feels tluit it is highly desirable to extend its activities in other directions. Workroom accommodation will be arranged; a social room will be provided which will accommodate at least one hundred people for meetings, lectures and demonstrations; and a kitchenette will be included. The necessary alterations will be commenced as soon as the plans are completed and it will bo a matter of only a few weeks before the society will be in possession.

"In moving in this direction tho council feels that it is acting in accordance with the expressed wish of members'and tho arrangements have the sanction of our trustee. Mr. Oliver Nicholson. The expense involved may possibly entail the use of a small sum from our capital account, but the society's need of such accommodation, in order satisfactorily to fulfil its functions, is such that, in the opinion ot the council, the move is fully justified. On tho other hand, it is confidently hoped that the facilities afforded will result in a considerably increased membership." First Prize in Art Union. Some .criticism of the conduct of the last exhibition was voiced by Mr. D. J. Payne. He considered that the council's action in selecting an Australian picture as first prize in tho art union before the members of the society could have a say in the matter was unsound and an injustice to Auckland artists, who deserved the greatest measure of assistance. "1 think that I was mainly responsible tor the council's departure from the established order," said Mr. A. J. Brown. " r lhe council is not likely to repeat what appears to have been a mistake, although we thought that the display of the selected picture would arouse interest in the exhibition. However, I would like to point out that the prize-winning artist, Mr. Cedric Savage, although now residing in Australia, was originally a New Zealander."

ur. Mildrea Staley also criticised the exhibition of a number of paintings by students of the Elam School of Art. She said that these works were very immature aifd precluded the work of more experienced artists being shown. She also criticised the predominance of architectural drawings. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Members paid a tribute to the memory of the late Mr. J. H". Upton, a former vice-president of the society, and Mrs. J. Finn, Mr. M. Trenwith and Mr. A. V. Hunt, late artist members. The election of officers resulted President, Dr. E. B. Gunson; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. S. Boyd, E. W. Pavton, 11. E Vaile and O*. Nicholson; executive council. Miss I. M. Copeland, Messrs. E. S. Kohn, D. .T. Payne and R. A. Abbott; auditors, Messrs. Morris, Duncan and Gvllies.