The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-06-08
ART ASSOCIATION.
A Plea for Bringing Our Public Schools
in Harmony With the Times.

The announcement in the May number
of the North Carolina Teacher, and the
article in the News and Observer of May
9th, on "An Art Association" has called
forth a more extended notice OF the sub
ject. When we consider the fact, that
our system of education has produced but
two classes; one known as professionals
whose vocations are becoming more ard
more crowded; the other class, we denoni
nate as ''dead people" who are walking
around, dead to ambition, enterprise and
progress. The question naturally arises:
Why is it that the present system of edu
cation fails to furnish the proper field for
the exercise of our faculties! The fault is
not with the field, but the faculty. The
needs Ct the times have brought the indus
trial school movement into existence and
prominent educators feel constrained to
do something. But what to do, remains
unanswered. We are but to glance at
New England, and the Western sections
of our country. and the problem solves
itself. Everywhere you will find indus
trial training in the schools, public and
private. Now as drawing is the first step
in any system of industrial education, the
ilnpor tance of Art Associations becomes
apparent, The organization of the Art
Association at Morehead City, during the
session of the Teachers Assembly in June,
will be an important movement towards
progressive education. | herewith present
some considerations in regard to Art in its
relation to Industrial Education, and its
introduction into the public schools of the
State:
There should be incorporated in the
present system of public education broad
er provisions than now exist for imparting
to our youth the elements of knowledge
and skill required i'll the industrial arts.
The Introduction into the schools of
proper appliances for the development of
the sense of perception of pupils III regard
to form, color, proportion, DC.
The teaching of drawing, not as an ac
complishment, but as a language for the
graphic presentation of the facts of form
and of matter; for the presentation of the
appearance of objects, and also as a means
of dt velOping taste in industrial deslgn
The introduction of the use of tools, not
for their application in any particular
trade or trades, but for developing skill of
hand in the fundamental manipulations
connected with the industrial arts, and also
as a means of mental development.
1t is said that 1.-The schools teach too
much" but the fact is their methods of
instruction are defective; not that they
fail to develop mental power, but that
the mental power developed is not broad
enough and practical enough-in short,
not high enough-to satisfy the demands
OF the age.
To bring our public education into har
mony with the needs of our time, We
should, through our schools, dignity and
ennoble manual labor by making it the
SERVANT OF THOUGHT As EXPRESSED BY
SKILL. The education of to-day must be
shaped to suit the needs of the industrial
masses if it is to fulfill its proper functions
in the State. We must not close our eyes
to the fact that by far the larger number
of every community, are workers, to whom
a skilled hand is as important as a well
filled brain. 1t is within the strictest
bounds of justice and right to ask that the
schools should undertake to do something
for the practical necessities of the masses.
The perfectly educated man is he whose
hand follows obediently the clear and
ready promptings of a well developed
brain. The hand is the most marvellous
instrument in the world; it is the neces-
sary complement of the mind in dealing
with matter in its varied forms. 1t is the
hand that rounded Peters DOME; it is
the hand that carved those statues in
marble and bronze, that painted those pic
lures in palace and church, which so many
travel into distant lands to admire; it is
the hand that builds the ships that sail
the seas: it is the hand that constructs the
machinery which moves the busy indus
tries of this age of steam it is the hand
that enables the mind to realize in thou
sand ways its highest meanings. Why
then, this disparagement of the hand in
the schoolsl Why should not an organ
which forms so vital a part of man being
receive due share of attention in prepar-
ing him for the duties and responsibilities
of life? There can be no question about
the harm done to society by this neglect.
The great trouble with so many depart
ments of industry at the present and es-
peciallv in the South is, that there are too
few skilled artisans, to put into form the
ideas that orignate-thOugh and labor
being 90 far apart. Hence the necessity
for Art Associations or, in other words,
Art Education. The first step after the
organization of the Association, should be
the establishment of Museum, (that will
include Instruction. to be centrally located,
instruction given by lectures, exhibits,
teaching and many other ways Of impart-
ing art information. Let it be devoted to
technical and practical art rather than
ideal and theoretical. Not intended for
the curious love Of sightseeing, but to
spread abroad correct conception of the
true objects of art and to enlist not only
the producing, but the purchasing public,
With this end in view, together with all
kinds of Photographic art, engravings,
paintings, drawings, Statuary, pottery,
carvings, and a thousand other branches
of ornamental art, it would not be long
before the public would be brought face
to face and wholesome competition among
exhibitors would create an institution that
would live to the end of time. This mus
cum of art would occupy the same relation
to art as library does to literature All
| these things act educationally by enabling
! the student and causing the lublic to
| Judge for themselves. One of the ways
to raise the taste of the public will be the
exhibitions, which this age has proven tc
be, not only popular, but of great good tc
the people. Let those interested in educa
ton and the general welfare of the public
arouse themselves and be doing Let
| sound instruction in drawing be taught iI
our public schools. Let us have museum
of art and instruction and we will built
upon a sure foundation a temple which
shall be lasting; and bring both honor anC
fame upon the State. Then will the
striving after material wealth give way t.
higher, healthier, purer and more noble
ideal, which will recognize in this worlt
the beautiful aud the sublime. Ever,
tree, every shrub, every beautiful land
scape, every beautiful structure, ever,
sunrise and sunset will warm the hear
and help to make our people nobler ant