CORRESPONDENCE. CANTERBURY SOCIETY OF ARTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

CANTERBURY SOCIETY OF ARTS.

to the editor or "Tire press." gj r> —After seeing the above Society's annual exhibition, I think it is high time something Should be suggested.to give more encouragement to amateur artists here. Why should the public continue to support a Society of Arts which has developed into a professional artists' selling booth, instead of its original object—to encourage true art in our midst? What encouragement-is it to any of our rising generation •who may have some artistic genius, to hnd their works denied space of a foot or two, while others who happen to havo "friends at court" are gnen space for several of inferior professionals allowed a display of ten —for sale! May I suggest that New Zealand nrofessio'nal artists should follow- the lead of their Sydney brethren in forming a "Society of Artists," to which no amateurs could be admitted. This would enable tho Art Society to have more space on its walls to encourage the development and education of tho amateurs, in comparing their works with others on tho walls, and so gain more knowledge of their failings. Much more helpful than the discouragement of knowing tihat their attempts are safely hidden in the packing-room, surely! May I also suggest that tho annual Selection Committee should be composed of non-local artists—this would remove much of the present dissatisfaction.— Yours, etc., - FAIRPLAY.