National Republican., 1876-05-27
DRAWING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Annual Exhibitions at Franklin and Sumner
School Buildings.

The third animal exhibition of the work of the
scholars of the public schools of Washington in
drawing and penmanship, which was held in the
Franklin building yesterday afternoon, was an
occasion Of great interest to all who realize the
importance of the new departure which has been
made in popular education. The large attend
apce of ladies and gentlemen who examined the
specimens which were we'll arranged to show the
progressive nature OF the system proVed tnat @ our
The work itself gives gratifying proof Of i'm
prOvement over the last annual exhibition. Each
wear gives better and better evidence OF the
adaptability Of this system to the common
schools most interesting ieat1Te ~ TaS S tns c
drawing class OF fifteen boys selected from all the
schools. 1t was pretty sight TO see the forms
Fuller the drawing teacher, quietly gave out the
dictations. The result showed the value OF this
system in training the children 70 an excei,ent
terest to see the boys at work. The existence OF
a real artistic power showed itself in the methods
their lines, striking them off with a bold, free
touch while others drew with uncertain and
doubtful strokes, rubbing out ana eorreetlhg AT
suit was very creditable TO each. The sheets Of
original design in the room of the Girls Normal
School were very excellent. The show pieces
which had been drawn upon the blackboards of
architectural design-the captOls Of pillars
Doric. COrinthian and Egyptian were admirably
executed.
The penmanship was also excellent, and it is
gratifying TO know that in this important study
the schools of Washington rank fret of the cities
the United States while in drawing they rank
next to Boston, Massachusetts. The teacher OF
drawing. Mrs. Sarah E. Fuller, has reason to be
pruud of the success attained, and at the same
time lust praise should also be awarded to Miss
Annie NJ Wilson, the assistant teacher of draw
ing who has had the control of the study in the
Grammar schools, besides giving a careful super
vision Of drawing in the lower grades, whose
great excellence was also visible Miss wilson Is
The committee to award the prizes consisted of
the following gentlemen: MessTs Carl ROesser,
jr, chief draughtsma Of the land office; Adolf
the geographical department OF the Post Omce,
| and ]. Daniels, architect. The prizes were
awarded follows:
First class-Gold medal for best original draw
ing Frederick Tasker: honorable mention, Willard
| MYERS. Gold medal for best drawing on black
board, from dictation Frederick Griffin; honorable
| mention, Mortimer Bessy and Z. J. Spars
| Gold medal for best drawing book, Frederick
| Second class-A course of lessons in model and
cast drawing for best object drawing, H: +. Ben
| der: honorable mention, William Cohen.
| free hand drawing. Frank Mcdowell; honorable
| mention, WOrthingtOn Sharretts arallel OF
| Breck.
The attendance was unusually large. The ex-
hibition will continue to-day from a. m to p m
| DRAWING IN THB coLoRED SCHOOLS.
Drawing was first introduced into the public
schools for coiored children in the cities of Wash
| year 1874, with Mrs. Sarah A Martin as special
was put into the hands of the drawing teacher,
| requiring direct instructions in all schools OF
higher grades three times, and in those Of lower
| once in each month. The results Of the year were
The first public annual exhibition of drawing
| by pupils in said schools was made yesterday at
Sumner School Building, Seventeenth and NJ
streets northwest. Every room in that large and
art which tends 70 promote refinement 0f taste
and elevate the moral feelings" The black.
boards in each room contained a collection OF
the VARIETY Of designs. The Reindeer al Bay 4
| was especially fine specimen of the progress
made by the coiOred children. The originality Of
| design Is not the least noticeable feature among
| the many beauties to be admired, which, In
many instances, give evidence Of high order
| Of natural artistic talent.
| The map drawing is particularly fine, and re-
| fleets much credit on those who executed them
| hundreds Of specimens Of free hand drawing or
| paper are neatly arranged in the several rooms
| some of which are maryels in the way OF design
and execution, representing as they do the WORK
of pupils Of sll grades, varying in age from
| eight to eighteen years. The exhibition wa:
e pDpiis AZ and i driends Of education. Among thu
latter were Hon. Fred. Douglass, Hon. Commts
soneC Phelps, Of the District Of Columbia, w
the District of Columbia; Superintendent Wilson
| ex-Trustees Alfred Jones, John A. Gray
| The sub board have reason to be satisfied will
their first fort in public exhibit Of drawings anC
| the progress made by the pupils in the schools
| under their immediate Jurisdiction.
| The coIored schools are fortunate in having, In
| the person of Mr.. T. w. Hunster, not only com
| petent drawing teacher, but n gentleman who 4
fully alive to the fact that the elevation of th
| race which he is identified with depends iargel!
upon education, and that skill in drawing has al
intrinsic and practical value, and to many trades
\ and professions, including all scientific mechRn
| les. II is quite indispensable.
he exhibition, at the request Of many citizens
will remain open until O'Clock this afternoon.
| Trustees johnson, Brooks, Ryder and Super
intendent Cook were present during the entir'
| day showing visitors through the building, anC
were warmly congratulated by those present fol
| the magnificent display.I