The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-04-11
Industrial Art.

The society of Decorative Art Of New
York City have lately established free
classes in the Minor Industrial Arts among
the Mission Schools and other like institu-
tions of the city. Instruction in the rudi-
ments of drawing is the starting point, the
object being TO train eye and hand so that
the pupils may become artisans In trades,
or will when sent adrift on the world, have
some intelligence or bent TO govern them
IN choosing an occupation. Mr.. Chas- g.
Leland, who has introduced and made
practical his ideas in the Philadelphia
schools, says that the leading question OF
the time in education is: To so educate
boys and girls as to qualify them upon
leaving school to enter workshops, or be
familiar enough with tools and designs to
assist them In earning money at once.
We all know that in the cases Of great
majority of pupils who leave the Grammar
or the High School to do something toward
their own support it is desirable and nee
essary that they have more knowledge than
merely 70 read, write and cypher, and have
q few accomplishments. Even those who
have received long and expensive course
of education in Seminaries and Colleges,
and have spent all their youth in study, are
often as grave problem to find out where
to apply them when they have done, as any
over which the pupils have puzzled In their
course.
When trades were introduced as the first
experiment in industrial schools, it was
found that only stout, clever and energetic
boys, who had in them the elements to sue
ceed under any circumstances, got very
much good out of them, while those who
could not or would not apply themselves to
hard prosaic labdf, and who in the end be-
came dependents or paupers were little ben
eftted. It is this latter class who, from
variety Of causes, do not and viii not sue
ceed at hard work or in business, are found
to do well IN the Minor Arts; and, as In
nine trades out Of ten, the one who car
draff plan or make correct design, has
the advantage over all others; and as there
is springing up all over the world, verJ
great demand for handmade decoration, u
meet it decorative art has become q prac
tical thing, and the demand for artistic
skill is far in excess ofthe supply. Offort,
or fifty children who are mere amateur
under instruction in Philadelphia, sin
gle manufacturer after examining all thei
designs, said he would gladly employ ever.
child of them at once in paid situations
One boy earned during his last summe
vacation of two months $216, by hammer
ing sheet brass work. Free-hand outlin
drawing is taught so that the principle az
piled enables boys and girls readily TO max
patterns for wood and metal. or such q
are used in designs for carpets, wall papei
book-covers, color printing, pottery, etc
STYLES and patterns in ncalico, earthern-wars
ievelry, architecture and furniture, and tn
increased taste for that which is beautifu
shows what field Is opening for all sue
artisans. The class rooms of the society
Decorative Art are in New York, at M
% East 21st street, and information regart
ing the classes or instruction viii be give
in answer to letters addressed to Miss Mo
% East 21st street. The Art Interchang
explains that the use of the adjectiv
@minorD IS applied to certain of the ar
does not indicate that any aspersion is ca
upon the capacities Of the metal worke
ceramic decorator, embroiderer or the hk
but that il is q convenient method OF Ill
tinguishing between that which alter col
parativeIy little practice attains credrtab
results. and other art work which requir'
prolonged study and training before eve
the most natural born and successful arti
can produce anything of great merit.