The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-01-20 00:00:00

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT

THE SCHOOL OF ART.

On Wednesday evening the prizes recently awarded by
the Oovernmen and the Science and Art Department to
the student, of the School of Art were distributed in the
school, Talbot-street. The B. J. S. Bolder° occupied
the chair, and there was a good attendance.
Ur. W. H. King, hon. secretary, was first called upon
to read the reports for the past year. The following was
the report of the Head Master (Mr. W. P. Bowen)
I have much pleasure in reporting that the progress
of the students is very satisfactory, as is proved by the
Government awards made an respect of the various works
now exhibited. A work by Mr. Albert Gyngell received
• national medal. The painting. of Miss Harriet Skid.
more and designs of Mr. J. Hill for glass decoration re-
ceive prizes from the Science and Art Department One
hundred and five students bare passed through the
school during the year.'
The report of the committee was as follows :
" The number of students attending the school is
maintained. The income from all sources is £I67N 10.1,
and the expenditure £l6l N 10.1, leaving a small surplus
of XI Lis. The expenditure includes £3l Sc 8d rent of
school. An application made to the Department of
beience and Art for a grant towards the purchase of the
school is now uuder consideration. There is accomino•
dation for an lot-reined namber .if students sod it is
hoped that those who acquire the necessarily slight tin to-
edge of art =parka in the elementary 4,110011) will be
induced t atteed the Se ao .1 of Art, where they trill re-
ceive oistruction in the Mater g•ades from,au art role Cl-
l./160g high class certificates, and have tier advantage of
working from the ber,t examples of every kind, and broil-
ing up works for national competition. The co•opera-
tion of managt•ra and teachers of elementary schools,
in making their schools feeders to the School of An
being given, the retult will lie a more widely spread ap-
plication of art to manufactures. Tile committee is in-
debted to the department for the loan, from time to
time, of paintings in oil and water-colour."
The Chairman, in moving their adoption, said he was
very glad to find HO many students had met with success
during the pest year. He thought that the cultivation •
of art was very desirable at all times, but more especially
at the present time. The French had previously exeelled
in art, but they were at the present time comparatively at
a standstill, in consequence of the late disaatrous war.
The present was an opportunity for the kinglish to step
forward and occupy the position formerly occupied by the
French, especially in the glass trade. He was very glad
to tind that the glass makers were availing themselves of
the school, amongst them Wen Mr. Gyngell, who had at-
tained great proficiency, and he hoped his success would
be a stimulant to others—(cheers).
The Rev. H. Sherrard seconded the motion. He
thought people required to be educated in order to ap-
preciate art. He had noticed in many cases of uneduca.
. ted people that they were unable to appreciate beauty.
either in nature or art. He could assure them that art
Wan useful in every way, and was a profitable way of
speeding their time. In conclusion, he hoped that the
debt at present upon the building would soon be liquida.
ted. It was very desirable that there should be a local
habitation for students of art, which they could call their
Own. . .