SUTER ART SOCIETY.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15024, 19 March 1919, Page 4 (Supplement)

SUTER ART SOCIETY.

SKETCH EXHIBITION ATvD AT HOME. • * •-

(From "The Colonist," March loth.) The working members of the Suter Art Society held an At Home and sketch exhibition at the Suter Art Gallery yesterday afternoon, which was largely attended by members and their friends.

Now that the war period is passed the work of this useful society will be renewed with fresh energy. The public of Nelson do not quite appreciate how much this society is doing for the town. It is not to be measured by the standard of general work exhibited by.its members at the periodical exhibitions of sketches. The Suter bequest was a valuable one to' the city, and the society named after its founder is steadily, though admittedly slowly, adding to the value of a collection already far more valuable than is -generally appreciated. It is a commercial axiom that supply creates demand, and the existence of an art gallery constitutes in itself a perpetual appeal for the donation of art treasures. This appeal has been responded to on several occasions and year by year it is hoped to see the collection of pictures become more valuable and interesting by the additions made. The members of the society tend the Gallery contents with the greatest care, and any funds the Society becomes possessed ~of are invariably spent in the purchase of pictures. We hope to see every effort of the Society generously supported by the public^ and its members encouraged in their good work.

The collection of sketches which were on view yesterday and will be open to the view of the public this and tomorrow afternoons is well, worthy of inspection. The work exhibited includes that of artists of made reputation and that of young students a fact which must.be borne in mind by those who would be critical.

Mention of those represented by exhibits may well commence with Miss M. 0. Stoddart, who exhibits a number of sketches characteristic of her free and effective methods. The seashore at Sunnier and New Brighton provides the subjects for most of the sketches, which make a fine collection. Mrs Leo Manoy (Mina Arndt) excels in portraiture, and exhibits several studies of [ heads which proved a centre of a'fc--1 traction. This artist also shows some landscape studies. Miss E. C. Harris exhibits a considerable number of the flower studies, the mountain flora of New -Zealand,' which ' have been her speciality for many years. Miss Rosalind Barnicoat (Wellington) sends a number of water-colour sketches, drawing oh Christchureh and Wellington for her subjects. Miss Nina Jones, the secretary of the society, exhibits more, freely than usual, and two orchard I scenes and her beautiful New Zealand flower studies merit special mention. Mrs Topliss, one of the most consistent workers an dsupporters of the Society, is also particularly well represented at the present exhibition, and exhibits some excellent work. Misses M. S. Cooke and C. A. -Sadd, both enthusiastic members, show a number of sketches which indicate progress. Another regular exhibitor, Miss B. Currin, shows soir.e very, pleasing work, notably, a wide landscape in the Wangapeka district.. Mr J. H. Nicholson, though be has removed from Nelson, maintains his interest in the Society! nnd has forwarded a nice collection of sketches, among which the bush scenes in the Wairarapa district are prominent for the excellent work and fidelity exhibited. From across the Bay, Messrs A. V. Barker and Hugh Scott send a number of coastal scenes, and Mr F. V. Knapp has taken his inspiration from the fruitlands and the coast which fronts Tasman. Mr H. Harrison, whose work is characterised by a delicacy the more apparent on account of the robust style that is' general, exhibits a small number of pleasing sea shore sketches. Mr W. Houlker, one j of the newer members, has a large exhibit and his sketches have attracted much attention. They show great promise, and bis work will be looked for at future exhibitions. Mr Harold1 Kidson is a »till newer exhibitor, and a beginner. His work has considerable merit, and his progress will be followed with interest. Jfr G. Blythe is another Motueka, exhibitor, who has a small exhibit. Mr J. Berger shows three small pencil sketches remarkable for their fineness of execution. - A screen, of sketches from the brush of the late'Mr C. V. Fell attract attention. Mrs Fred. 0. Hamilton lends two studies in monochrome, one by 'Frank Dodd and the other also by an English artist, both remarkable for tho excellence of the. portraiture. During the afternoon tea was dispensed by the v/orking members.