The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-08-01
ART SCHOOLS.

ART SCHOOLS.
VARIOUS PRAIsEwoRrHr ATTEMPTS TO
FOUND THEM IN DETROIT.
Once upon time q man wrote book
entitled "About Frogs I'm Ireland" and
began as follows: Chapter I. "There are
no frogs In Ireland" l can but follow
his example and say "there are no ari
schools In Detroit" The classes that
have been formed from time to time have
lacked many OF the essential qualities OF
school. The first OF these gatherings,
that remember, was about fifteen years
ago when few ladies and gentlemen,
who had some knowledge Of drawing and
an earnest desire 10 learn the use OF water
colors, overcame the modest objections OF
Mr.. Robert Hopkin and prevailed upon
him to try TO teach them something OF the
art. They secured q room on the top
floor Of the building known as Hodges
Block, At the corner OF Griswold and
State streets, where the Brunswick hotel
now stands, and there had many oppor-
tunities Of testing Mr.. Hopkins patience
and other excellent qualities.
In December, 1875, the "Detroit asso-
citation" was formed, composed mostly OF
artists. Thanks TO Detroit generosity
the association gave an interesting en-
hibition OF pictures and an enjoyable re-
ception at Abstract hall. In the winters OF
ls79-S0, score OF ladies and gentlemen
met In the parlors of the Abstract build
ing and organized the "Skctching club. I"
Its purpose was "sketching from nature
and from objects, and the establishment
and maintenance Of proper rooms for the
social and business meetings of the club"
Meetings for practice In drawing were
held once week In Abstract building,
and these became so popular that the
membership soon grew too large for the
quarters, and the club rot larger room
in the Industrial school building. The
club continued 10 thrive and increase in
membership and the following December
found II quartered In pleasant rooms I'm
the Walker block. At its first reception
In these new quarters, not only the
sketches OF the members were exhibited,
but excellent work was shown from
kindred organizations In Cleveland, Gin
cinnati and Chicago.
Thus far, and during the first half of
the year following, there was no regular
teacher employed, as It had been the
intention Of the club simply to furnish
opportunity for those 10 draw who had
already made some progress In the art,
but many had joined who were unable to
work 10 advantage without q teacher.
Therefore, In the fall Of 1881, the sketch
Ing club organized some art classes with
seven instructors. Lessons were given
every day In the clubrooms, and over one
hundred pupils attended the classes. The
following fall tho club changed lite name
to the Detroit art club, and arranged its
winters work 50 as to include lectures,
erhibits OF art works and asketching class
In its plans The meetings were held at
j. Z. Watson's Photographic rooms on
Woodward avenue, and the services OF
Mr.. L. T. Ives we're secured for the
sketching class.
Mr. Seymour Haden Of England, Mr..
George Ward Nichols and Mr.. George
Mclaughlin of Cincinnati, and Prof.
D'ooge Of Ann Arbor, lectured before the
club and its friends. The club gave CON-
plimentary exhibitions 10 Mr.. Carl Mar,
Mr.. j. X. Harlow and TO Mr.. Francois, boz
sides having exhibitions each year Of the
work OF members. Messrs. NJ. 3. Smith ~
Co. donated TO the club, as an impetus TO
its working members, an elegant gold
medal, TO be . perpetual prize for best
work, and TO be awarded 10 the succossful
competitor at tho spring exhibit OF club
sketches. During the winter OF 1883 70
1884 the club occupied rooms In Mr.. Q. Q.
Randall's building on East Grand Circus
park. The membership increased and the
sketching department, under the direction
OF Mr.. J.. @. Melchcrs, did excellent work.
The following year the Art club arranged
with MIRA. Holden TO have its meetings al
her residence on Henry street, and other
classes we're there formed under Mrs
Holdcn's management, and have continued
since. There have been other opportuni
ties for learning to draw and paint, Mr.
Conely's life class, the Misses 0'ConnoT'
class m object drawing, the new AR
Academy" 90 called, which had briel
existence In the building on the southeast
corner Of Woodward avenue and EliEabetl
street, and other clauses In various parts o
the city, at which young ladies acquired
smattering Of an accomplishment more o
less artistic.
| While there have been no proporl.
equipped art schools, there has been ampi
evidence Of there being no scarcity Of ar
pupils. Goethe says; "Teach the beauu
| full, the useful viii take care OF itself,
and do not think that Detroit win lonl
be behind her sister cities IN this impera
tive duty. II. Y. "iLbf'