New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-15
DRAWING TAUGHT In PUBLIC
ART EXHIBITION OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC
-r-~ SCHOOLS

| PRODUCED-EVIDENCE THAT THE AkI VI DnA W
ING CAN BE TAUGHT UNIVERSALLY, LIKE
| WRITING OR READING-oRIGINAL DESIGNS IN
GREAT NuMBERs-vALUE TO MASSACHUSETTS
INDUSTRIES.
| IRON A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRTBuSEJ
BosroN, June lit was 4 pretty sight yes
terday "wednesday afternoon the Boston girls
out of school for their bafholday-throng Horticui
tural Hail. where their drawings were on pubic exno
ton. A good many OF the boys came also. put theJ
fewer IN numbers and seemed TO feel btue shy
and Of place. But blue and black eyes, brown
and fair whole regiments OF girls there, az bloom
ing a garden Of flowers They looked proud Of their
work, and they had right to be, for IL Is marvellous
had not thought exhibition OF the sort could possibly
be so interesting or that great skill could be
attained II 10 be mainly due 70 the excellent
system of the State Director Mr.. Walter Smith. who
has turned persever.ng study OF science what
used to be superficial triing with an accomplish
ment.
For few years past half dozen gentlemen bavo
been earnestly work endeavorng 10 enRat upon the
system Of public instruction In this State the study OF
industrial drawing They have not had the easiest or
the pleasanest Of undertangs for such an enterprise
has points which conservatism feela sef bound
to attack Notwithstanding the urgent appeal OF our
theorists about education. and the earnest pleas or
many Of the representatives OF our leading manufac-
tories-a uniting In demanding public instruction In
drawing solely for the benefit Of our industrial interests
by both prejudice and Ignorance 70 such extent that
had it not been supported by few strong dsnter-
and influential people, should not have seen
present splendid results. Boston and Massachusetts
are particularly fortunate in possessing promoters OF
public art education such men as Charles C. Perkins,
Francis c. Lowell, .John d. -Phiibrick. Rev Philips
Brooks, Joseph White and c. o. Thompson Other gen
temen are aud have been interested In this
but these few In aud out fof season, by every
means at their command have sought to Impress upon
the Legislature and people the absolute necessity OK
public instruction IN drawing aud design with reference
bearing upon the industries Of the State And they
have last conquered all opposition. The exhibition
which opened Tuesday must think, silence further
objections. The press has spoken with no uncertain
voice. Indeed the whole community Is not more sur
prsed than delighted at what been done within the
last six months.
The exhibition this year has three divisions First the
work by pupils the public schools second, that
done by the free evening classes third that OF tho
pupils Of the State Normal Art School The work shown
that part of the exhibition devoted to the public
schools perhaps conclusive than other as TO
the possibility teaching drawing in free schools.
Every public school in Boston here represented and
by work from every class save from the two lowest
primary classes who draw states. On entering tho
exhibition first examine the work from the primary
schools. This find to consist principally OF drawing
geomeric forms the outlines Of geometrc solids, and
simple objects memory and dictaton exercises with the
tition around center symmetrical repeti-
ton on an axis &c. Next we como TO
tie grammar-s school work, which Is carefully
graded through all the six classes. The subjects laughs
are geometrical drawing, model drawing dc
taton and memory exercises and design. or
the general excellence Of the work. considered
merely as drawings. the result is remarkable
for its high average. Taking the drawing OF the
grammar schools forty in number together rep
resenting not far 10000 drawings, We must either
conclude nearly all pupils In Boston have speciai
aptitude for drawing else that the study itself Is one
Of universal application, as much as arithmetic
or grammar But the strangest feature Of all
in the grammar school department-the fea-
ture which is most attracting the attention OF
manufacturers. teachers and grumblers-is the ono
of original design. Here the study begins to show us
practical bearing. In this department II anywhere's
the place TO test whether drawing is an excep-
tionaI study argument for its Introduction into
public schools must principally this feature.
Merely 10 know how draw is at best but OF excep-
tional use, merely an but 70 Know
good designing is putting tue acquisition to some
practical purpose Aud here, from tn. Boston chill
dren of from Is OF designs which are
the admiration OF every one Ihe numoer OF designs
alone exhibition is several Thousand, and many OF
them are OF rare beauty From tune time you hear
some observing cynio remark: swell, have opposed
public instruction III drawing but suen results as these
| Justify its place IN our schools"
exhibition her public school work. because
m complete operation programme laid down by tho
state Supervisor Work from free evening classes
another feature Of the exhibition. In the lower ball
Lowell Lawrence, Taunton, Springfield, Worcester,
| Newton. and other places are represented Tho
chanical or architectural. There few nae spec
mems artistic drawing, but the Instructors have been
nrncpally technical teachers. without much knowledge
OF freehand work. Within the Limits OF the instructon
however, the results are such that IL would be well
the manufacturers and mechanics VI the country gen
| orally could them In machinery there are many
nney executed drawings by maehinsis slaessIns
engineers wneelwrghts, 81, La archltectarai drawing
| are many elaborate designs for public ana private
made Oy jOurneym carpenters This part OF the ex
hibon is particularly rich in industrial designs rom
artisans like woodcarvers stoneHtterr. hthographers
| pattern makers, and designers generally.
The Normal Art Training school Il also Represented
waiter smith, began this State. the esntie
beore-named had scared the legislative provision
tent assistants They put the whole matter into bis
hands 70 BEGIN De moro he began by completely r,p
In their place the elements OF sound system, nrst
@ae small spproTraton for Normal ATT School
which started in November. This school has been
snevaa noreus course Of eenentay in
craving under SIR. smiths general direction The re-
by themselves at The Boston Art Club OF winters
which has consisted Of the following lis, OF draw
ings. called diploma drawings, which each pupn WA
| Obliged " execute during the term:
INSTRUMENTAL DRAWING.
4 4 shec, Of S.on..ie.' p s';ssaa
s sheet q Orb sr.pSie rrciscnoa
s. A sheet Of Defsis Of Bailaisx Construction.
Z A sheet VI PROPOSITION Of Shadow
FREEHAkD DRAWING.
8 A sheet Of Mode grA-lnS, ~ pe2es oalae
: < saeef on Model Drawing, shaded IN chalk
To- .se Of Dwns shaded sspa' Indian nh or sssas
~ A .scc OF Mo.e Drawing. rubbed or stamped.
A, Os,lns Drawing from the cast In pencil
IA As Outln Of fsisge IRON pstars
Os,ln the human d9are, IRON The lat
| ia An Outline r. wing Of animal form, from the cast
- An Sa;rs D.s ss. piece q s% &. :
* SHADED ORA sing Indian nk. from the cast
Ia An org,aal De-. form from plant
A ceagn q carpet, or aus co1noa ohJfef
and detaton drau1aG
a color Of a aoue from opy.