SCHOOL OF ART.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11508, 14 February 1903, Page 8

SCHOOL OF ART.

ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF WORK. Tbe annual exhibition of work of the rt.udente of the School of Art is now open to the public, and in very interesting, not alone from the excellent character of the various works themselves, but also as- demonstrating what is being done by the School in the matter of technical education- Thia latter point is more noticeable in certain departments of the School to which attention will be drawn. The freehand and model exhibits find a place in new additions to the School, the room used for the painter and decorator students. The benefit of these additions is noticeable on special occasions like the present. The work as a whole is deserving of credit. Amongst the students specially worthy of mention are Miafeee A. Luxton and C. S. Broadhurst, Messrs G. Penlington,? F. Harris, D. Earwaker. Free arm drawing on blackboard, which is especially useful for sign writers and decorators generally, where a bold free style is necessary, is carried on largely in coloured chalks, etc. In America thte work is taught in all the schools, as is also ambidextrous worjc, or the uee of both hands. In model drawing the exhibits of Misses Comerford, Dora Clutten, D. Jameson, and Mr Penlington deserve special notice. In the elementary classes for building construction, design, and; drawing, a, three years' course is provided for carpenters and joiners, by which they can become qualified as tradesmen as far as technical education takes them. If they wish to go on further, there is a course, leading , to a diploma for advanced work in connection with architecture, etc. In the elementary building construction clase some good work is , exhibited by Messrs D. Green, D. Earwaker, A. Muir, and J. Nolan. A new class which promises to be an exceedingly useful one, was started last year in conjunction with those in applied geometry, building construction, and cabinet work drawing. The students do not get any opportunity at the work to do what they can in the class, and the work done shows considerable ability. This is noticeable in a good model of a roof by G. Penlington. This ia an example of the semi-circular principle, combined with the elliptical, and is used in many cathedrals in Europe. Tho second year work in building construction is good, particularly that ot Messrs H. Hall, L. R. Smith, A. J. Gray, A. W. Kemp, and G. Penlington. In applied geometry, too, the work of Messrs Kemp, Penlington and H. Hall is excellent. An original design for a Band Rotunda, by Mr Hall is vejy good indeed. In the class for decorative design, considerable progress has been made by' the students, ana some of the- designs, notably those from plant life, are excellent. Those of Miss E. B. Luxton, (Messrs A. Clark and J. Buchanan, are specially worthy of commendation. In cabinet work, a full course of five years is provided, enabling the student, through the technical education given, to beccma a craftsman. Theie are some good exhibits by Messrs Archbold, C. Hunter and D. W. Peek. The and decorators' work forms one of the principal and, perhaps, the most attractive portion of the display. The students take a great interest in the classes, and there are now 23 in attendance. If the attendance at the class justifies it efforts will be made to gst an extra teacher and devote another evening a week to the subject, so that advanced students may have another opportunity of practice. The work' of the class includes . sign-writing, stencil work, embossing on glass, etc. A large"£namber of most creditable designs are exhibited by the advanced pupils, and it may be noted that these classes are more encouraged by outside people than any others in the school, as a< result of which about £18 wae enabled to be distributed this year in prizes. The work of Messrs G. Sey, D'Authreau, F. Hiliier, H. Crowe, and R. Simpson specially deserve mention. Some very fine illustrations of what is known as grisaille—a decorative work which ie extensively used in the latest paseenger steamers visiting the colony—are also to be seen. Coming to the- part of the exhibition more purely in the domain of art, come excellent work in drawing from the antique is exhibited by Misses E. S. Barker, E. Thomas, and Mr F. R. Flatman. Mr R. Gudsell exhibits a fine reproduction of the Venus De Milo; Mr Cecil F. Kelly a good one of a Dancing Faun; and Miss £■ B. Luxton a boldly drawn and! artistically reproduced one of Apollo. In the painting from still lifo, though the examples ore not so numerous, they are marked by much artistio ability. In tone studies the work of Misses Thomas, ,F. Harris, and D. Haile, and Mr W. H. Bari rell deserve special mention; and in that for colour, that of Misses K. C: »Beath, A. Howell and D. Steele. The landscape work of Mies Luxton, "A Country House," and "Bridge Over the Heaithcote," Mies Beath and Miss Howell, deserves high commendation. In the class for landscape from nature, Miss Luxton hae an_ artistic picture, "A Quiet Pool at Otarama." The works of Misses Berry, H. 0. Bergh, and Howell are also excellent. In the class for head; from life in colour, Miss Luxton has a fine work which took the prize at the Exhibition of the Wellington School of Art. Mr F. H. Cumberworth has a couple of good studies of a head in biack and white, and in the drawing from the full figure the exhibits of Miss Beath, Messrs E- M. Smith, Kelly, and Crowe are excellent.

The exhibits in tho special classes for teachers and others make an' excellent show. Miss Luxton sends a finely modelled' portrait bust, 'from life, Mies Howell « good bust of Dante. In the elementary modelling class, the works of Mifses M. Kebbell and Steele and Messrs Thomas and George are excellent. A very fine exhibition of repousse work is made; the examples cent in by Mesdames Ogle and Seager, Miss Gibson, Miss Rose Smith, and Mr S. A. Clark being most artistio and original in design and execution. The lady visitors to the Exhibition will be interested in the beautiful Buttenberg lace collar designed and executed by Miss B. Luxton, and the cushion cover sent by Miss A. Luxton. ->.i.ss K. K. Allison" has aiso a very beautifully-executed cofcor. All the other exhibits in this clajs are very good, and the Exhibition as a whole is well worth a visit and careful inspection. It wi£l be open till Tuesday next.