OPENING OF THE ART EXHIBITION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 937, 3 October 1910, Page 9

OPENING OF THE ART EXHIBITION.

] The annual exhibition of the Now Zealand: Academy .of, Fine Arts "is always, an event that is looked forward to with a groat amount of interest by: those'pea--pie who are at; all interested in the progress of art ,'in this ..city,'-- and . tho merits or demerits (according to what the speaker thinks) of; the present; one compared to that of last year a:ro gravelydiscusiSed on all sides. There:wore pictures galore, every possible inch of room, being occupied by '. them and /they even overflowed into another building as well, giving strong evidence of the''industry.:of. those who devote their time to. the study of art. : -Moro than, ever,, does the need for a suitable homo- for pictures seem necessary and the urgent 'requests of-the president that a sum of money be set aside for the erection of a-building should, be heeded. Judging from the tone-of ; one of the speeches made, it .seeuied, almost qs.: though that time were really drawing.near.. So crowded,was;' the room that it was almost impossible 'to;. see. "anything of the, pictures with tiny degree of satisfaction and those, who 1 , are at all anxious to do so will probably wander in there during the week when there are fewer distractions. C: -■ Additional interest, was added to the opening' this year by, ;the fact: that the ceremony would. be performed, by- her Lady Islington, who. takes a -very-Keen interest in all matters relating to. art. Upon her arrival-.she, was met afc the door by the president, Mr. H. S. AVardell, the ;vicc-presidents, Mr. -H. M. • Gore and Dr. Fell, and the members of the.council and conducted, with' the Hon. Joan. Dicksbn-Poynder and Miss .Cotton < to-'the dais,; where they took, their seats. Captain Maitland was the aide-de-camp in/attendance. Sir Joseph and lady .Ward;. Miss D. IC. Richmond; and theofficers -of ■ the; society 'also .took their places' upon' the' platform. The president in his' speech spoke of the disappointment that her. Excellency- must 'feel: in viewing the work collected in the-building after.; what she: had seen: in- tlie famous European galleries, .but those works, were done under, great disadvantages. He also touched upon the -students' work which , had, been sent in from the various centres' and'the quantity. 1 : ..' ;j • -In replyHro his speech of welcome lady, -Islington made, a very gracious and in-, te'restirig'.little speech, and 'one,'! that'-was decidedly encouraging to students of art.Although she had seen the most beautiful art treasures in London, Paris, Venice, Florence, and Rome' it had only, had • the eifect of making every .effort-towards art, and the cultivating of. all' that is beautiful, more precious'to. her. .'JiNor was she,■ according.to her-words,; an,art eristic—oho of those who found'-fault.'with lines or folds and could experience no enjoyment, in. what'seemed ; to hiir a ; work of; inspiration.. It .Was interesting 1 .to learn-that her .Excellency is not a-'love'r of the; impressionist'school, 1 biit prefers the more finished painting likii that of. Sir Joshua ; Reyn6}ds and Varidylce. There was..a very enthusiastic-clapping:.of:hands; When the' speech was/finished arid her remarks .upon ' impressionism r were- very much in -' sympathy, -.with many-i'.pf' those present.:: ~'.' '':.:.-.;:; :jp ; V": '': ' Sir-Joseph Ward alsoraado a' very.genial .speech,. thanking "her Excellency for her presence and kindness in opening the, exhibition and ended it with the hope that .beforo .'Lady, Islington.; returned; to England she wouldseo a -suitable'!, buildingerected. for the housing of the'-. pictures' in Wellington'. -..' i ..!'.' .

.''- After the' speeches .were /made:everyone left tho dais and."were conducted round the loom '--for a brief inspection of the pictures, after which they had "afternoon teaV.vMrs.' Gorej/Mrs'..Fell,':'arid:' Mrs.-'G.' Pearcqwere in charge,of the tea-and ,weio, assisted by the Misses Fell (2), Miss Warde'L'Miss Wilson,-and others.!; '.. .Excellency,; /Lady- 'IsJingtqjjjj.jtP.rSJ'.o; costum'e'of black velvet arid'alarge black hat with large white ostrich plumes. The •Joan Dickson-Poynder; a cream'coat and .'sfirt ..and whits hat;:,'. 1 Miss .Cotton'.'was -in costiimo with a'blaclc^at'and white : .silk';,'scarf./:'• Lady Ward: wore/a dress of black ninon' with a white tucked yoke;; a; loose sleeveless :.coat' : and a black toque.with''ospreyVplumes. : /.;Miiis D. K. Richmond, "a .black costume and black hat Tfich— shaded. roses. Among those , present were Mri&Wilford, 'Dr. ;and Mrs. Fihdlay, Mr. : and'^Mrs^'Herriiis, Miss .Coates.vMrs.vJi Trip^fttrs.' L;i H. '.. B. ■Wilson,': Mrs.' M..Richmond, ;Miss Baldwin Richmond,.. Mrs. Tripp,: Mrs, ;Izett, 'Miss Myrtle.Lee. >-Miss R. 1 Richmond, Miss Bauchop, Mn|. Ziinan, Miss.' Mrs.-/'Corliss, ..Mr. and ;Mts; La Trobo, Miss Stoddart, 'Miss; L. Baird, Mrs.. F/;M; B. Fisher,/[Miss B. Ward,' i! . Miss I ,'' R. . ; Seddori;.' Mrs. .Chaytor, • Mrs. Head, 'Miss ;Kirubell, Mrs.i;W«.Nathan; Miss Nathan,"i Mrs," Etheringtonj Mrs!- Izard, Miss Archibald, ,Mrs. Beere and Miss.Becre,. Mr.jindMrs. .von -Haast, Dr. Hay, Mr. Haiiaes,. Mr. Justice' Chapman, and Mr. F./M. B. Fishen/ . o ,'■" .:V.;i.:.' ; ,\ ' ■;'■■■ !!'■. ~