The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-08
ART IN WILMINGTON.

ton.
Some, on reading the words Academy Of
Fine Arts in Wilmington" may be inclined
to make light of the idea 1t is time that
such an institution existed in this city. In
this respect we ale undoubtedly behind
other chief cities of other states. The sub
jecS is Of practical nature aud in speaking
upon this thome the writ + addresses him.
self to the practical business men OF Viii
mngton.
Let it be asked whether, supposing that
we had the usual equipment of an Art
Academy here, with suitable building,
with teachers and equipment, would it not
be possible that at the end Of two years
tuition that among an output of graduates
at the close of that term, there would be
greater number of those adapted as self
supporting, or approximately self-suppurt-
ing young ladies and gentlemen as to be
found among any OF the other educational
institutions Of our city.
What can your high school graduates do
in comparison to the practical requirements
gained as designers, draughtsmen, dceora-
tors and the innumerable variety Of advau-
tages gained by an insight into the higher
branches of iinO arts in drawing and paint
ing? Education in these braneh, is too ex-
pensive in Philadelphia on account OF the
heavy cost OF living expenses in that city.
That education can be gained equally well
in Wilmington did the equipment exist
here, that is of rooms and raraphel ma
| LA.
There are many of our citizens, prominent
gentlemen, VINO have the interest of the
city, of the young generation of Wilmington
az heart. Why not take a hand as the citi-
zens of other cities do, and accomplish
something, if only to aid the possibilities Of
art in Delaware. It would be no great pe.
cuuiary matter to establish a good ART
school here. The pupils are waiting! There
are two hundred Owe will say, and that i,
celta My within the mark) of young people
in this city who have marked artistic qualifi
cations, but are without the aid and hell
that those of other cities have.
The idea of establishing such schoo
here is one of a practical ndture, it woule
afJr5 55Ts 81 5uf yoars, r-vrc -Ss ,os
sibility of an honorable and. extremely de
sirable livelihood. In the large trade cen
tres Of this country such as New York
Boston, Philadelphia and other cities, thou
sands Of young people make very goot
living through the exercise of their talent
engendered in an art school. Wilmington
should know that this is recognized fact
elsewhere. In every city in England, out
established branches OF the British Schoo
of Design, from which annually the NOR
promising pupils'are sent to London to rur
sue their studies.
Let some results Of this system be given
Ii any reader will take the trouble to EN-
qu re of the great wall paper manufacturer
and importers as to where they get their de
signs, or where they lave been obtaining
their patterns for wall papers, yon will h
infol med that they are imported from Eng
land, or some part of Europe their furni
decorators-they are all imported! Wher
,io they obtain their ideas for interior deco
ratioua The leading journal of this coun
try, the Art Decorator and Frnisher i
fooled with designs of foreign work.
There is an infinity of ant work, well pay
ing art work possible to the young people 0
this city. A good design for book covers
would meet ready sale in Philadelphia to
day. Designs for ceiling corners and cen
tres, and for the artists themselves are in de
mand i'll all our large cities. Who does al
this lucrative WORK? Foreigners! In indus
trial designing of all kinds, pen and inl
work, sketching, and designing for book il
lustrAtiOns, all this is in demand!
That the ability for such calling exist
in Wilmington we state as fact OF wblc
we are thoroughly aware. Are our citizen
alive to the demands Of the younger genera
tion. Are our young people to be sent ou
into the world as high school graduates
simply as scholastic graduates with no prac
tical qualifications for gaining livelihoo
better by far that some of them at Least
had given two or three years out of til
twelve or thirteen Of school life to prdctica
} advantage.
Year after year We are emptying ont G
our schools batch after batch Of hand-tied
unadaptable, but highly respectable youn
ladies and gentlemen What can they d
for themselves after their long years q
school work? Absolutely nothing! The
are as a rule drag on society. Not fiv
per cent of them obtain clerkships, the Onl
; avenue open to them. Surely education {
the young does not mean, simply the endom
ing them with abstract attachments. Thel
is nothing practical in the idea. They ca