MORE SPACE WANTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 5

MORE SPACE WANTED

ARTS SOCIETY LEASES NEW PREMISES ELECTION OF OFFICERS To provide premises to take the place of its old hall in Kitchener Street, the Auckland Society of Arts is leasing a space in the Queen's Arcade, which is next to the Dilworth Building. This fact was mentioned by the president of the society, Dr. E. B. Gunson, at the annual meeting last evening. He said that the society was still negotiating with the City Council and the University College Council to obtain permanent accommodation in the proposed Fine Arts Building, but temporary premises were needed. “This accommodation will enable us to provide facilities for the Sketch Club,” Dr. Gunson said, “and a permanent gallery l’or the display of the work of our working members.” It was also desirable to extend activities in other directions. Workroom accommodation would be arranged together with a social room to accommodate about 100 people for meetings, lectures and demonstrations, while a kitchenette would be included. TO COMMENCE SOON “The necessary alterations will he commenced as soon as the plans are completed,” Dr. Gunson continued, “and it will be a matter of only a few weeks before the society will be in possession ” Though the expense involved might possibly entail the use of a small sum from the society’s capital account, it was felt that the move was fully justified. “On the other hand it is confidently hoped that the facilities afforded will result in a considerably increased membership.” Dr. Gunson concluded. Mi - . D. J. Payne criticised the action of the council in selecting an Australian picture as first prize in the art union that had been run in connection with the last exhibition. He thought the action was unsound and that members should have had an opportunity of voicing an opinion before the selection was made. It was not fair to Auckland artists, who, according to the objects of the society, should receive the most assistance. In shouldering most of the responsibility for the selection of the picture, Mr. A. J. Brown stated that the council had thought that by displaying it, interest would be aroused in the exhibition. The council would not be likely to repeat what apparently was an error of judgment. He pointed out that the winning artist, Mr. Cedric Savage, was a New Zealander, who had gone to live in Australia. The following officers were elected: President, Dr. E. B. Gunson; vicepresidents, Messrs. A. S. Boyd, E. W. Payton, H. E. Vaile and O. Nicholson; executive council, Miss I. M. Copeland, Messrs. E. S. Kohn, D. J. Payne and R. A. Abbott; auditors, Messrs. Morris, Duncan and Gyllies.