DUNEDIN ART AND CRAFTS CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15788, 12 June 1913, Page 4

DUNEDIN ART AND CRAFTS CLUB

A fortnight ago the students attending tho Dunedin Arts and Crafts School held a social, at which it was decided to form an arte and cratte club, with the objects 1 of furthering tho interests o£ students in their work and to afford them the opportunity of ventilating art questions and other kindred subjects. Tho following officebearers were appointed President, Mr R. Hiawcridge; joint eocrctaries, Messrs E. H. Thompson and D. Hoeio; treasurer, Mies Stark; committee: Misses D. M. White, M. O'Domiell, A. Thomson, Messrs \V. MuUer, J. Brown, and —. Lambourne.

Tho first meeting of tiie club 'was held at tho School of Art, Mow Place, last evening, when a large number of tho past, and present students of the school were present.

Somo of tho work done by the students attending tho school was exhibited. It included sketches in oils, water colours, pencil, pen and ink, and diarcoal; also specimens of needle-work and other craft works. Tho display was an excellent one, and was much admired by those present. Through the generosity of Mr and Mrs Hobart, prize 3 were offered for competition among members of the club, in various arts and crafts subjects. Mr 'J'. Ross delivered an interesting ami instructive wldress on "The Arts of Ancient Egypt." The lecturer, in tho course of his remarks, said that with the _ ancient Egyptians it was a case cf necessity being tho mother of invention. The science of astronomy was forced on tho inhabitants of early Epypt, as only by a correct for-, telling of tho .rising of tho Nile could they take full advanfcago of tho periodio risings of tho river for sowing, growing, and harvesting. Thus it was that over 10,000 years ago the Egyptians had a calendar of 12 months of 30 days each, to which were annuajly added fivo intercalary days, making a. total of 365 days. The heavens were mapped out, the motions of tho planets noted, and the principal fixed stars were named. The sculpture, architecture, and arts und crafts of ancient Egypt woro then ■briefly outlined, showing -what a high degree of skill had lx'cn readied by the early inhabitants of the country. Shipbuilding was also undertaken, and many voyages were made from the quays of Thebes through a canal into the Red Sea, and out to t.ho countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

A fine scries cf slides was shown, illustrating the architecture of ancient Egypt, mural paintings, and many of flic arte and crafts in vogue TOO ago. On the motion of the president a hearty vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the lecturw.

During the evening dainty refreshments were dispensed.