ARCHERFIELD SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20281, 14 December 1927, Page 2

ARCHERFIELD SCHOOL.

ARTS AND CRAFTS DISPLAY. WORK OF THE YEAR EXHIBITED. Proof of the interest taken by parents and friends in the arts and crafts work of the girls attending Archerfield School was afforded yesterday afternoon, when a record gathering assembled for the annual exhibition. The weather was ideal, and before the classrooms were thrown open, the school drill competitions were held outdoors. Miss N. Peake, sports mistress of St. Hilda’s School, acting as judge. The display of arts and crafts work was tastefully arranged in some of the principal rooms of the school, and occupied the attention of the visitors for the remainder of the afternoon. It was an example of efficiency in these branches of the school work of which the Archerfield girls may be justly proud, and was considered by all to be one of the best showings that has been made. The pewter and leather work sections, for example, showed a wealth of original ideas in conception and design, and even the most casual visitor could not but admire th e neatness and care with which the articles in every section had been prepared. Among the samples of work associated with the ordinary school syllabus were the maps exhibited by a number of the classes. Although these comprised a group that .is familiar to those who visit such exhibitions, they were particularly interesting because of the subjects chosen and the methods adopted in tlieir preparation. In selecting the maps worthy of display special regard is given to the interest of the subject, with the result that the girls nave prepared many highly instructive examples. “ The Unrolling of the Clouds ” in the exhibit of form V, depicting the advancement of exploration, was of special interest, while such maps as “ The World of Homer,” “ Tasman’s Voyages,’’ “ The Vegetation of Africa,” and “ The Industries of England ” were worthy of more than passing interest. Several excellent displays of needlework from the various forms were greatly admired. The majority comprised infants’ clothing for Karitane and the Public Hob. pital, but the dressmaking class exhibited a number of tastefully-made summer frocks The needlework exhibited by standards 3 and 4 was, of necessity, of a type that had not called for fine sewing; nevertheless, it was a distinct credit to the juniors and was marked by a high allround standard of neatness. It included prettily-decorated sack aprons, embroidered guest towels, and a number of useful sweeping caps for the young housewives or their friends. Examples of handwriting in the junior and senior sections contrasted with the display of crafts, and completed th e representation from both branches of the syllabus. Practically every display for the art classes embodied a definite plan of instruction, and the visitors took particular interest in exhibits that showed the gradual progress of the drawing work from simple designs taken from Nature, to the more intricate efforts of the advanced classes. In the section comprising the work of standards 3 and 4, the children had first studied the coloured drawings of single flowers and floral groups. Afterwards these had been incorporated into designs of varying intricacy, and the more advanced pupils had produced tasteful drawings and watercolour paintings of pottery and Hk e subjects, each embellished with original floral designs. The art class had added to the display in this section several watercolour'paintings of Btill-life subjects. These fully conformed with th e general standard reached by the school. In the pewter and leather work sections the general scheme of the art classes had been advanced into designs On metal and leather. This section was, perhaps, the most interesting feature of the exhibition, and many of the examples were admirably designed and finished. Motoring jackets, book covers, handbags, cases, photograph frames, a table runner, tea cosies, and cushions were only a few of the exhibits in beautifully-worked and decorated coloured suede leather. The pewter had been wrought into a fascinating and almost bewildering number of designs. Obviously the girls had been encouraged to attempt the making of articles much above the average standard, with the result that the display was of a quality that would be difficult to excell. Enamel had been used freely but tastefully in most of the decorative schemes, and even the most simple pewter articles were well worth a close examination. Among the examples exhibited were a pair of carefully-wrought candlesticks, a beautiful writing set, a jewel case, a half, length mirror, and a writing stand, together with paper knives, boxes and cases of all designs and sizes.