ART EXHIBITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1941, Page 4

ART EXHIBITION

MASTERTON CLUB DISPLAY OPENING YESTERDAY. r j WORK OF MR & MRS MACLENNAN 1 INCLUDED. 1 j Evidence that art in Masterton hatv. . taken a new and promising lease of f* i life was afforded in the Municipal Hall ; 1 esterday afternoon, when there was t an attendance of more than. 200 invita- ■ tion holders at the opening of a twoday exhibition by members of the ; Masterton Art Club. The exhibition is interesting and ■ widely varied; the standard of work, in ■ both ’art and craft is, on the whole, ' higher than any that has been attained for a number of years 'in the Wairarapa. Besides those artists who, as members of the Masterton Sketch Club, established enviable reputations locally and in some cases farther afield, there is, in this exhibition, an encouraging and promising infusion of new signatures. Two Associates of the Royal College of Art, London, S. B. and D. K. Maclennan, who are the directors and critics of the Art Club, were represented by a selection of finished and advanced work, which showed at its best the versatility of both artists.

> How the Art Club had been founded last year, to carry on the work of • the old-established Masterton Sketch ( Club, was explained by the president, . Mr A. E. Clemas. The scope of the i club had been widened, and it was now aimed to encourage the pursuit of L each one of the many branches of art , and craft. Mr Clemas said the club , was pleased to have Mrs W. Dalziell, ' a past president, associated with the opening of the new chib's first exhibition. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, said the club was doing valuable work in keeping alive the art interest of the Masterton public in troubled times. Mr Jordan referred to the recent conquest of ancient Greece, the cradle of much of our art, and to the part New Zealand had in defending it. He believed the spirit of freedom would live, although at present the crooked cross of the Nazis was flying over the polis. He considered the club was “ doing the right thing by keeping its . light going and h*j hoped the membership would increase. Mr Jordan said Mr Maclennan would be a spirit of inspiration to the members of the club, Mrs A. E. Clemas and Mrs W. Dalziell wore the hostesses during the afternoon. Miss Dora Jamieson sang a song for which the accompaniment was played by Mrs H. M. Morton. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs Murray Fuller and Mrs Edith Boyes, a former Sketch Club critic. New active and honorary members were enrolled and there were a number of sales by exhibitor's. Among the buyers were Mrs A. IT. Ahrens, Rangitumau; Miss M. F. Barnett, and Mr W. Henry Booth, Middle Run, Carterton. The following were exhibitors: —E. Creswell. C. Cockarill, E. D. Watson, R. L. Shaw, H. S. Daniell. E, Steer, R. L. Ferguson, L. Cockerill, M. McClymont, E. M. Ramsay, A, Young, H. M. Smith, W. R. Newland, P. Ramsay, E. Dalziell, G. Eastwood, C. M, Daniell, M. Brockett, R. Lett. M. Tylee, C. Maunscll, J. D. Whyte, H, G. Daniell, F. D. McPhee, L. A. Thompson. Tho exhibition is open io the public this afternoon till 5.30 and this evening from 7 to 9.