Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-19
chanics E. c. Gardner, President of the
Springfield Art Association, in recent
address thus pertinently referred to this

chanics. E. c. Gardner, President of the
Springfield Art Association, in a recent
address thus pertinently referred to this
subject:
The best designers in our manufactures of
specially artistic goods, those who command
the largest pay-the five thousand-dollar sala-
ries-are imported. The reason why certain of
the most profitable manufactures cannot be car
ried on in America is because native skilled
laborers-that is. artistically educated work
men-cannot be found. The question that
chiefly concerns most of US in our life-work IS
what shall we do TO be saved from lives OF poy-
erty and unremitting toll, or from the deeper
degradation of dishonorable dependence or
self-seeking at the expense of others. The
millions of intelligent, educated young men
and women cannot be professors" CONNER.
cial agents. ''financiers" or even gtnteel
farmers. They must work with their hands to
produce something that can be given in return for
the gold that comes from the mine and the
grain that overfows the prairie. Now, there is
no equivalent to be exchanged for these crude
productions but the refined products ofthought,
that is, artistic work. This is no far-of ttopian
scheme for the elevation of mankind. 1t is
here, and now 1t is already begun. Hundreds
of women are sustaining themselves comfort
ably and honoTably by recently acquired skill
in art Hundreds more of young men have
solved the problem of life, so far as indepen-
dent selfsuppoIt is concerned, by skill in va
rious departments of applied art. And each
are among Gods best gifts to His children, is 10
longer burden and clog upon society, but
moving, eleYating force.
Now an Art School is to be opened pres
emily in Sacramento, as one of the works
of the Museum Association, and based
upon the munifcent gift of collection of
paintings and splendid building by Mrs.
| Croker That there will those attend
who do so solely to acquire an accomplish
ment, without any idea of applying it to
the practical in life, may be grant
ed. But Others will attend, to whom the
school will open the way for the practical
uses of art culture and skill in everyday
| life. The teaching in that school need not
be by great European master, nor Is it
required that the instructors shall SO con-
duct the school as to turn out artists to
teach clearly the fundamental principles
of art and open the door to the develop
ment of native ability. What is acquired
there cannot be lost. If pupil never
produces a picture after he leaves the
school, still what he learns, the discipline
| he will undergo, must better him in the
struggle for existence, and tend to qualify
him for entry upon such active occupa-
lions as require a degree at least of arr
culture and skill But beyond this, the
benefit of such schools as educators of the
public tastes, aud as refining influences
compensate for all the effort that is put
forth to maintain them. In short, prac
| teal consideration of the matter of the
relation of art to the common duties, need;
and followings of busy people, viii lead
the thoughtful along an almost endles:
avenue of uses to which fine art culture i:
applicable