ART AND DRAMA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 233, 29 June 1944, Page 3

ART AND DRAMA

Gala Night At Scots College

Something quite unusual in college functions made demands upon every inch of seating accommodation in the assembly hall of Scots College last night. The occasion was the happy combination of an art exhibition and dramatie performances by the students. The pictures on exhibition. 166 in number, were, tor the most part, lent to the college for the present week, and Included a really iuteresting selection from, the brushes of well-known artists. Many. of these pictures were priced and were for sale. The motive for this exhibition was explained by the headmaster, Mr. V.. F. O. Francis, who said that, in bis view, gross darkness covered most of the schools in New Zealand os regards art and its appreciation, and the attempt ’ was being made in the school to remove a little of that ignorance. In order to bring about the exhibition parents of scholars and others had lent pictures and some had come forward to deliver lectures on various- phases of art. Mr. Roland Hipkins had the previous day lectured on bow to look at pictures. That afternoon Mr. R. J. Waghorn bad illustrated how an artist went about lite work by painting a picture before the students, and Miss Louise Henderson had addressed them on composition and design. That night. Mr. E, C. Simpson was to speak on the significance of New Zealand art. nnd the next day Mr. W.S. Wauchop would speak on art as a hobby. “No-community or country can develop an indigenous art unless the people are interested in art,” said Mr. Francis. “The possession of a National Art Gallery is not sufficient. The- minds of the young people must be trained to an appreciation of art. The schools must get pictures, either by having them lent for six or even 12 months (for one must live with a picture to understand and love it), by acquiring pictures, from artists at nominal prices, or by having pictures presented to the school. After.all, if,the rising generation Is not taught something of art appreciation, the prospects for the artists will not be rosy.”, Drama was represented by two one-act plays, “The Man in .the Bowler Hat,” by A. A. Milne, and “A Night at an Inn,” by Lord Dunsany, the former a farce, and rhe latter a thriller, both amusingly played by students of the college, with Mr. 11. Baigent as producer. At the end of the evening, which was much enjoyed by all present supper (provided by the Parents’ Association) was served.