Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-09
miscellaneous.
WOMEN As ARTISTS IN NEW YORK.

II is not TO our purpose TO speculate ON
what women might be, but 10 describe
what she is and at the same time 1t is
worth while quoting the opinions of Mrs.
Susan \. Carter, who for many years has
been principal of the Cooper Union Art
School, and who. though entertaining Il
far-reaching sympathy with her sex. is not
a visionary rs TO lis capabilities. Mrs.
Carter told us that when professional ar
fists are brought in contact with the pupils
and see their work and carnestness, these
gentlemen predict the most brilliant iu-
lures for them. and confess 10 the discov-
cry of unsuspected strength in them. But
her own experience is that the sticking
point comes 10 the woman too soon.
While she is in a class. with her teacher,
in studio. or associated with other stu
dents. She is animated, perseverlng, and
full of ideas. But when she is left to her.
self, her interest flags, and she wavers in
her ann. OF the women graduates Mrs.
Carter estimates that only one-third ever
become professional artists or teachers.
OF the other two-thirds. one-third marry,
and the others are undetermined as to
their course. The Cooper Union school is
entitled to consideration here. rs 1t ena-
bles most ol the students TO support them
selves. and is Ia some extent a bureau OF
employment for women in art indus
tries, the instruction is wholly gratuitous
and was given last year TO two hundred
and fitty-iive pupils. Some of the
graduates are employed as teachers
of drawing, receiving from dollar
to two dollars an hour for their
lessons; others are engaged as designers
in carpet factories. wallpaper factories.
and in designing embroideries. There is
n constant demand Tor teachers of draw
ing in schools and families, and most of
the students quality themselves for these
positions; but there are other openings
also. and many employers come TO the
Union in search of women who can decor
ate pottery, silks. fans. menus, and but
tons. The fashion of decorating by hand,
which has extended TO buttons and rib
bons as well as to flower baskets and bri-
dial dresses. may prove cvancscent, and
with its extinction leave many women
without an occupation, who now have
profitable one, but there will be a demand
for teachers as long as the population in
creases and intelligence spreads. As we
have said. those OF the pupils to whom it
is necessary can support themselves ut
least during part of the course, and fifteen
thousand dollars were reported to the
Nrircipal rs being earned last year by
teaching, enlarging photographs, and dec
Grating. The Art School includes class
in engraving, with an average attendance
of twenty-five. and in this alone some OF
the pupils are enabled to partly support
themselves, though not until they have
been under instruction for some time. AS
a profession, engraving is admirably suit
ed to women. A competent hand can
earn from fifteen to twenty-five dollars a
week. and even twice the latter sum in
the higher branches of the profession,
which call for artistic ability far above
mechanical aptitude, and which have
many vacancies TO be iilled.-Harper's
Ndgazine for JHne.