The Portland daily press., 1884-03-22
ART.
Closing of the Drawing School Of she
Maine Charitable nIechanics' Associa-



Maine Charitable Mechanics' Assoeia-
eion.
1t may not be known to our citizens, except
In limited degree, that for quite number OF
years the Mechanics Association Of our city
have, during the Winter months, maintained
school for drawings holding its sessions two
10 three evenings in the week and attended by
large number of pupils OF both sexes.
The school was primarily established for the
purpose of affording an opportunity to ma
chanics from all parts of our State, and those
intending to follow mechanical pursuits, to
prepare themselves for a successful career in
the line OF business they might adopt.
ihese classes during the past season have
numbered ninety-one scholars, divided IN
classes as follows: freehand, ST. mechanical,
81; and architectural, % Mrs. Chas. f. Kim
ball has had charge of the freehand class, and
Antoine Dorticos, the accomplished teacher OF
French in our High School, the mechanical
and architectural classes.
The committee of the association under
whose direction the classes were formed, think
ing our citizens would be glad of an oppor-
tunity to witness the results attained by the
scholars who have been in attendance, ex-
tended an invitation to such as are interested
In educational and art matters to attend the
closing exercises of the school last evening,
and view the work performed as exhibited by
| large number of drawings hung around and
| upon the walls of the spacious library room OF
| the association. A large number availed them
selves of the privilege thus offered, including
many of the Society of Art, and we're not only
| delighted with what they saw, but expressed
| surprise at the. wonderful proficiency attained
| by all the pupils who made exhibits Of their
| work. The freehand class had some eighty
or more specimens of their work the mechanical
| class forty-five aud the class in architectural
| drawing twenty five. When it is remembered
| this work was that of beginners, the success
| attained is really wonderful It would be
iuvidious to speak OF any single drawing ex
hbited; all were well executed, alike credit
able to teachers and pupils, and the association
must have felt gratified that the facilities SO
generously provided for acquiring knowledge
| OF the art of drawing in these three depart
meuts without cost to those desiring to perfect
| themselves in it, had been so largely improved
The committee, under whose constant care
these good results have been reached, are
Messrs. NJ A. Blanchard, g. L. Bailey, E. A.
Jordan, E. s. Griffin, and Lewis B. Smith.
After Sufficient time had been given for the
examination of the drawings, M. A. Blanch.
ard, Esq, chairman of the committee on the
school, raped the company to order and made
some statements in relation to the establish.
ment of the school, its progress, the attend
| ance, cost to the association for its mainten.
ance and the results attained, closing with
complimentary allusion to the faithfulness Of
the teachers and proficiency of the pupils
O. her remarks of a like character we're made
by Geo. E. Rand, Esq Secretary of the Port
land Society of Art G L Bailey, and Levi,
B. Smith, of the committee on the school; A.
| Giddings former president of the assoca-
ton; f. A. Gerrish, treasurer of the assoe,a.
ton; Mr.. Dorticos and Mrs. Kimball of the
corps Of teachers, and WIN. e. Gould, Esq.
President of the Portland Society OF Art Mr..
Goul referred specially to the advantages
obtained by the study of the art of drawing
and this closed, as all agreed, the most success
full term of the school since its establishment
nine years ago.