A FINE ARTS EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 194, 26 December 1868, Page 2

A FINE ARTS EXHIBITION.

It is proposed to hold a Fine Arts Exhibition in Dunedin some time during the month of January ensuing. Dr Haast, Mr Carruthers, and Mr Main waring have been appointed by the promoters the committee for Canterbury, and will be glad to afEord any information in their power. We understand that the Central Committee at Dunedin have made arrangements to pay the carriage of pictures (not for sale) sent to the exhibition, and to insure them against sea risk. At the close of the Exhibition there will be an Art Union on the Glasgow principle. The following article from the New Zealand Sun gives fuller particulars : — The Exhibition of Fine Arts, which it is proposed to hold in Dunedin some time during the month of January, is deserving of the heartiest encouragement from every one who wishes well to Otago. If no more were involved than an attempt to ascertain, and to bring together, for the first time, such art treasures as are yet possessed by settlers in Otago and the other provinces of New Zealand, the promoters of the Exhibition would be doing a work which will surely give pleasure to many — which will as surely be the means of much social intercourse — and which may cause a goodly number of visitors to come amongst us for the first time, not to our disadvantage. But much ny-re is involved in the Otago Fine Arts Exhibition. It will be remembered that, during the last session of the Provincial Council, there was voted a sum for a Provincial drawing master. This led to conversations between several gentlemen — Mr Eccles, Dr Hume, Mr J. H. Harris, Mr Carriek, Mr J. T. Thomson, and Mr Hodgkins, being of the number— as to the pleasure and the advantages that would result from the formation of a Sketching Club. From that first suggestion grew the other, that was it very desirable to ascertain what works of art — especially oil paintings and water-color drawings — existed here, and to get as many of them together for exhibition as was possible. If such an exhibition was successfully carried out, it might (it was suggested) lead to a yearly exhibition, and that would assuredly, in its turn, encourage a love for works of art amongst those not professional artists, and a desire to visit and to work in New Zealand, on the part of many who are professional artists. It was with these views and thoughts that the first meeting, convened by circular, was held at the Athenaaum, on the Ist September. At that meeting it was resolved, " That it is desirable to hold an Exhibition of the Fine Arts in or about tbe month of January next." A committee was appointed, with power to add to its numbers. His Excellency, the Governor, when applied to, consented to become the Patron and President; to open the Exhibition; to contribute almost any work he possessed which might be desired by tbe committee; and generally to give all the assistance he could towards making the Exhibition a success. Mr Justice Richmond is an enthusiastic supporter ; and his brother, the Hon. J. C. Richmond, an admirable sketcher and colourist, has promised to contribute and to help. Mr Chevalier will paint pictures, and show them for the first time in public at the Exhibition. Dr Hector promises to aid in any way suggested and within his power; and Mr Justice Ch ipman, before he left for England, made an offer of numerous exhibits. We will not attempt to go through the list of residents in ahd out of the province who have heartily promised to aid the committee. Suffice it that room is scarcely left for a doubt that the Exhibition will, in itself, be a most cheering success. Tbe General Government give the use of suitable rooms, &c, in the new Post-office building ; and the committee have arranged, or will arrange, for the insurance of every exhibit. The resident photographers will contribute largely; and the photographs will be a most interesting and instructive section of the Exhibition. What, then, beyond the immediate pleasure to be derived from visiting the Exhibition, may we hope to result from the Otago Fine Arts Exhibition? The pleasure to which we refer may be but of the moment with many — but it will result in a created love of art in some of the visitors, and it is not now-a-days necessary to insist that such a love has an elevating tendency and a practical effect on the tastes and the habits of peoples. That the committee will promote an Art Union, for the disposal of some of the exhibited works, may be regarded as tolerably certain; and in that certainty there lies an inducement for artists — who must seek markets for their productions — to -end to Otago works which would not otherwise be sent. The colony is rich iv grand scenery; and artists will be glad to paint that scenery, when so to do will at once minister to the artiat-love of the beautiful or the grand, and be a means of bread-winning. Descriptions of tbe colony may be written in the most glowing language; but they will never create, outside the colony, a desire on the part of men of wealth ahd leisure to visit us, which might be created by a score of high-class paintings or drawings of our Alpine or pastoral country. It is scarcely too much to hope tbat, with a fair success id the first Exhibition, the idea of a yearly one would be readily taken up; and then that a sum would be voted by the Provinc'al Council each session, to be placed at the disposal of the managers. Such a sum might be 1 divided yearly — part going to tbe purchase of exhibited pictures, to become the nucleus of an iO tago Gallery; part being offered 1 6 amateurs or to professional artists, or to both, for

the production of views from specified localities. From our exhibition might easily enough grow a Provincial or Colonial School of Art; and such a school would greatly benefit either the province or the colony, all cavilling of utilitarians notwithstanding. If the idea of a yearly exhibition should grow, and if such an arrangement should be proved practicable, the exhibition might be held in the chief provinces, in rotation. At any rate, much help is now promised from other provinces ; and we are sure that Otago would gladly reciprocate next year, or thereafter. Whether regarded sentimentally or practically, the proposed exhibition is assuredly worthy of support, especially in Otago ; and we hope and believe it will prove a success, as we are confident that it is likely to be practically beneficial to the province.