ARTS AND CRAFTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 6

ARTS AND CRAFTS

exhibition opened. ADDRESS 3Y MR L. COHEN. In spite of the counter attractions of Welcome Week a large gathering of art lovers and exhibitors gathered at tho Sarjeant Art Gallery yesterday afternoon for the opening :>f tile annual arts, and crafts exhibition which was officially opened by the president of the Wanganui Art Society, Mr Louis Cohen. Congratulations were extended to the .Society by the speaker on the magnitude of the exhibition. Since the Art Gallery had been opened in Wanganui, he said, there had been many line exhibitions, but the exhibition held this year by far exceeded those held formerly, not only in tho number of exhibits but also in th ; quality displayed. M r Cohen also referred to the delightful setting in which the pictures were hung. No other gallery in New Zealand, indeed few in the world, could compare with the artistry of the building that was to be found in the lighting effects of the Sarjeant Art Gallery. On behalf of the Wanganui Art Society he especially welcomed Mr and Mrs Ncame, who had done so much for art in this city and he expressed the hope that the few months in which they would be in New Zealand they would find to be full of interest.

The strides taken by the local artists during the past year were phenomenal, said Mr Cohen and there was distinct signs of progress showing in almost every picture exhibited. One of the youngest members Miss Betty Paul had produced work which was of outstand ing merit.

In concluding his remarks the president urged all present to do their utmos J to secure a large attendance of the public during the few weeks in which the exhibition would be open. He also asked them in as far as possible not to neglect the duty of purchasing some pictures and thus forward the good work going on amongst them.