The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-29
Build It Up,

The Philadelphia papers have recently
given considerable prominence to the work
Of the Woman's school OF Design, and In
their articles on the subject we find many
important and pertinent ggestions-m many
suggestions that strongly .'einforce views
that have more than once been expressed
In these columns. The Philadelphia school
is now an established institution OF that
city. and II half that is said Of its useful
ness and influence be true il affords a
practical demonstration OF the fact that
no city in the Union has more to
gain by supporting a similar institu-
ton than has Richmond. The Quaker City
school Is devoted 10 the education OF girls
In the various branches OF decorative art
design, but gives great prominence 10 the
specialties OF industrial ant. The pupil is
encouraged 10 work in whatever direction
her taste for design seems TO lead her.
Drawing, modelling, ard painting are
thoroughly taught IN oil their branches,
sand" says Philadelphia contempt
rary. i'm speaking OF recent exhibition
adorn the walls, almost by the acre, indi-
cate how well the girls OF Philadelphia
haN proGted by their opportunity. 1t
would be difficult 10 suggest any form OF
decorative art that does not End good IL
lus,ration amorg the designs and fabrics
and drawings that cover these walls. From
the delicate tracerlcs OF lace designs or the
exquisite shapes OF keramic work, de-
signed, mo 1elled, decorated. and burned
upon the premises, to the oil.cloths and
CARPETS and sbawlS and other textile IA
brics, some Of which are not only de-
signed but woven by the hands OF the pu-
pills, there is an almost endless variety OF
accomplishment"
Looking at art from mere csthetic
point Of view, there Is everything to be
commended in art education. Nothing can
be more absurd than TO say that ii is time
wasted. Noknowledge that brings us nearer
the true and the beautiful, that eleyates
and refncs. can involve waste of time
on the part OF either an individual or
community. However, our Philadelphia
contemporaries suggest a much stronger
reason for bringing a school OF design to
the attention OF our people. The Bulletin,
while recognizing the intellectual and
moral results involved in art training,
says:
But there Is another br ,ad and important as
pSi In which this school of design should be
pressed upon the attention Of the people of Phia-
delphia. IL Is distnc lively school of industrial
art. And this brings it directly within the circle
Of those agencies upon which The material pros
perity Of Philadelphia chiefly depends. This city
Is the eaiest industrial centre OF the world. It's
manufacturing Interests are already valued by the
hundreds of millions, and whatever tends 10
strengthen and build M those Interests con-
Ar. enters IN one form or another ln-
% almost all Of our industrial pro-
ducts. BcauiyOf form, pIitern. design, is one Of
the great elements which. combined with excel
lence of mate rial and work nship, commend the
products Of Industry 10 the markets of The world.
And there Is nothing fetched or strained I'm the
i6ea that the school Of the designer Is important
The school Of the artisan. This WOmen's
School OF Design already has It's pupils established
in our factories and workshops and upon their
educated taste and skilful work Is 10 depend very
largely The future manufacturing successes OF
PHILADELPHIA
When we consider the manufacturing
Enterprises already established in Rich
mond, and our natural capacity for in
creasing such enterprises; when we con-
slider that Richmond aspres to be great
manufacturing centre, and such that seems
to be her manifest destiny, the application
OF the above extract will. we think, be fully
recognized. What is true Of the value of
industrial art TO Philadelphia can be made
true OF its value to Richmond. If the fU-
ture manufacturing successes Of Philadel-
phia are to depend largely upon the edu-
Gated taste and skilful work Of the pupils
OF school of design, is not our point
I" that no city in the Union has more
to gain by supporting similar institution
than has Richmond well taken:
And Richmond already has the basis
upon which to build up such an institu-
tlon-build up school OF design that
would educate boys as well as girls in in
dgstrial art. We alude, Of course, to the
Richmond Art Association. This Asso-
citation has done and is slill doing a
noble work, and ii is safe to say that lis
influence has already been felt IN our man.
uiactures. But its sphere Of usefulness Is
circumscribed, owing to a lack OF sub
stantial patronage from those most in
terested. 1t has been supported in large
measure by those wlO could least afford TO
aid it. What ltneeds in order TO develop
fully It's capabilities and become a promi-
nent factor in advancing the material in
terests Of the city is pecunmry aid. With
this it could establish night schools, en-
ploy additional teachers, and utilize az
tistc talent that at present cannot he
reached. We do not think that our manu-
facturers and other men OF means could
make better Investment for themselves
and for the community than by building up
the Art Association. Let them think OF il.
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The Congo.
1t will be remembered that in consider
ing the Congo question the United States