ARTS AND CRAFTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 4

ARTS AND CRAFTS.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL EXHIBIT. POINTS FOR THE CASUAL OBSERVER. . Under the skiUed'jdirectibn .of :«pert-| teachin", the" achievements; of .youthful brains, and:practised hands-are'frequent-. lv astonishing :lo adult.crSs;.;thon'gh these ; results rarely carry the casual observer past the initial stage of wonderment- to the redectivo.pose of mind which is-es-sential to the creation of practical suggestions for the development of youthful hand and eye to still higher efficiency. Fortunately for the encouragement-of juvenile effort in arts and crafts there are exceptions—an observant and practical few who note in these results an ultimate good to the community, and the cause, of. technical education, by the same token, is not left without its champions. One may, therefore, preface a brief note of the Wellington Technical School exhibit with an expression" of ■ hope that the casual stroller through the Exhibition' may, when he pauses before the work of tho students, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest, for the value of what he sees, and' of the possibilities of what he sees, are of immediate and intimate concern to him as a member of the community. For example, ono of the points of interest in tho exhibit is the specimen collection of cabinet work of tasteful design, constructed and finished off to a degree of excellence which speaks eloquently of the qualify of the instruction imparted. The car-, pentry and joinery specimens are equally interesting; the staircase work is particularly good, while the other...articles are all indicative of sound instruction and promising craftsmanship. Another point' of interest is the ' jewellery and enamel-work collection, representing possibilities of a stimulated interest in this department of skilled industry in the future. In the arts section, varieties of form and colour, each bearing- a consistent regard for sound principles, yet in individual cases sufficiently distinguished by tho_ personality of the' artist to be indicatfvo of a freedom from the restraint of rigid convention which is the best nourishment of originality. Some of the pen sketches are full of character, and tho same may be said of certain of tho black-and-white work. The metal work and engineering exhibits also call for special mention. However, these- are a. few of the main points of interest in the collection, which is well worthy of a careful study by every visitor to the Exhibition.