Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-04-26

MEETING IN THE INTEREST OF ART EDUcA-
ToN.-A meeting was held, pursuant to adj
JournmeDt, in the library of the high school
house last evening, to talk over the subject of
atfordin9 better facilities for a more thorough
art lucatiOn in this city, and to hear and act
upon the report of the committee appointed at
the last meeting. About fifty of our prominent
citizens, consisting of manufacturers, members
of the city government, and of the school board,
and others, were present. The meeting was
called to order by the president, Mr.. II. H..
Cbamberin, and Mr. Stephen G. Earle was chosen
secretary, in the absence of Mr.. A. II. Davis.
Mr.. Chambern stated what was done at the
last meeting, and spoke of the urgent necessity
for better art training. In this country the
sense of the beautiful has become well nigh OBJ
liberated, especially is this noticeable in archi-
lecture. The speaker instanced the front of the
Mechanics hall building and the approach to
the high school house as examples of bad taste
The same is true in domestic architecture; in
our houses the furniture, the carpets, the paper
on the walls, and the pictures often present
lack of harmony painful to behold. But there
exists no reason why we, in this country, should
not take the lead II art as we have in arms
The speaker closed by speaking in glowing Ian
guage of the future of Worcester as the home Of
art and industry.
The report Of the committee was then read by
Prof. Thomson, as follows:
The committee on the needs of the drawing
classes beg leave to submit the following report:
The committee do not deem it necessary to re-
hearse the arguments in favor of art education but
assume that their duty is TO state in form an ac-
knowledged want and recommend some plan to
meet it,
There are three distinct classes of people. all
equally and vitality interested in this movement:
l. The adult mechanics. 2. The apprentices and
younger mechanics. 3. Teachers, and others who
Under the statute the city is under equally strong
obligations to all.
The adult mechanics want, from winter to winter
snch information as they eau Immediately use in
their various lines of business. They will devote
little time to sheer training of the hand and eve but
In the MAN, they feel the necessity of acquiring the
ability to read and to make working drawings of
machines and parts of machines; or framing plans
of buildings or plans and elevations of all sorts of
WOOD and iron fabrics.
In general, though the desrability of art train.
ing is nowhere denied, it Is very doubtful whether
any considerable number of adult artisans will con-
sent to devote time enough from their limited lei
to acquire any great degree Of skill in free hand
drawing. The neglect of the state in not providing
sooner for instruction in drawing In common
schools is cupabe, that especial pains should be
taken to give these men the best possible advan-
lnges.
The second class comprises apprentices aud
the younger mechanics for whom some
definite art-study is practicable The fierce desire
70 rush INTO the active life of artisan unprepared,
VIII be somewhat checked, II good facilities are
in good models
me third class includes teachers-young persons
MV ann at designing, stone-cutting or any trade
tnat especlhly requires quick sense of beauty of
form ana dexterity in freehand drawing, and STU
deDts OF art generally.
IL Is almost needless To suggoet in roord IN teocb
eLs, tnat tney mold the most important position in
lhls great reform. We hope Tor the largest and
most Dehpncent results from the children who are
now IN common schools II Is good policy for the
cly 70 give tneir school teachers ali posshe onnor.
tuniiies to study art and methods Of teaehing
art because by this means the children will soonar
fathers complain. VI "ni0n une
Again, the claims OF arts Of design nust he sor;.
ousy considered. new branch Of indnstr,, Nae
recently been added to the list of mannfact,r99s
tins city, which Is capable Of immense exnsnsion
and which depends largely upon distinct art-trajn
ing We allude to carpet weaving, II IL n goad
Illustration Of the importance Of art-trainins L, ~
lation to manufactures Men are now emplo owed
from England, Belgium and France--some svitb,n
twenty miles Of this clty--as designers al salaria
double those Of Justices OF the supreme conrt
and women twice the salary Of expert teacher