The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-05
GENIUS BUDDING FORTH.
Art Exhibition Yesterday at Miss Jenny
Higbee's School.

Art Exhibition Yesterday at Miss Jenny
Higbee's School.
There was perfect stream OF visitors to
Miss Jenny Higbee's school, corner Beale
and Wellington streets, yesterday after
noon and last night. To the indefatgable
principal. Mrs. Laura Prugh and Miss
Carrie Deslonde Dobyns, belong the
credit for supplying the attraction and
subsequent entertainment. 1t was the
occasion Of the annual art exhibition,
when the choicest works OF amateur art
are displayed for criticism and admiration.
The two latter ladies named are teachers
in charge OF this department, the former
Of painting, the latter drawing.
The studio and exhibition room ia stu
ated on the third floor, and supplied with
large north light heightened by half a
dozen east windows, with curtains by
which TO tone the flow.
In the drawing class are twenty-seven
pupils, who had on exhibition specimen
productions of their Unborn and partially
trained talents. OF these there were only
nine who placed but one work, while the
others had numbers ranging from two to
fifteen. Altogether they comprised dis
| play that lined and beautihed the walls,
ornamented corners and added attrac-
ton 10 the otherwise bare room. The
catalogue announced that the exhibition
consisted OF selections from pupils work
done at the school during the year Just
| closed. Whether this announcement was
intended TO convey the impression that
they were the works OF pupils who had
studied but one session IL not known. II
this be the meaning, then, indeed, was the
exhibition a wonderful and encouraging
one, marking the first steps OF art in this
| city after casting aside its swaddling
clothes. That the light Of art Will
grow in volume and penetration with
each succeeding year Is firmly impressed
upon those who have attended and crit
ically examined the work of budding
genius. There were a surprising number
OF these on exhibition at Miss lligbee's
| yesterday. which were rendered doubly
meritorious and interesting by the fact
that they were object works. The teach
ers emphasize the true idea Of their almost
sacred calling by the bold statement that
nothing else is admitted OF encouraged,
confcssing that IL is unjust 10 single out
exhibits forspecial mention, where all were
| truly deserving, those which particularly
/ impressed THE APPEAL reporter were the
Fighting Gladiator" Study from Life"
and "Venus OF Mclos," the works Of Miss
Julia White. This young lady keeps very
near the line OF nature, neglecting few
points which contribute 60 marked inn
| prcssiveness Character Is strongly mani.
Tested In every feature OF her works
Miss Katie Pledge, who began
/ I.r at a. I.k
onstrated In her first attempt a soul
filed with love for art. The blocks we're
80 strongly transferred TO crayon paper as
| TO at once catch the eve and enlist the al.
miration. Advancing from this TO n higher
plane, the young lady maintained her
| quickly attained rank by produing her
"Dogwood from Nature" Other exhibits
were highly commemorate. "rhe Fight
ing Gladiator" enlarged, and "Cly tie, Z"
by Miss Vance johnson, were two OF col
lection OF five by the young lady TO attract
observation and favorable comment from
the throng OF examiners. Miss Annie
Cooper also kept In the front rank by her
presentation Of "Thc Fighting Gladiator"
while Miss Jennie Sherwood was most
complimcntcd for her exhibit OF shells
"Doswood," by Mrs. Hunt, was peculiarly
foriblc and impressive. These are only
a few, and specially referred 10 with no
idea or design 20 underestimate the
work OF Misses Edwards, Louise
Topp, Jennie Oycrton, Willie Mallory,
Lille Dunn, Grace Curry, Fannie Falls,
| Willie Wilkcmon, Jennie Foniaine, Ellie
Ombcrg, Carrie Turner, Corinne McNabb,
Alma Black, Leila Mallory, Minnie Peters,
Maudc Thomson. Mamie Purcell, Alice
Hicks aud Annie Haley. All these
pupils have the capabilities which,
properly developed, lead on 10 possibilities
beautiful 10 contemplate by themselves,
their parents, friends, and all who prop
erly anticipate development In this line.
Another pleasing reflection Is that they
are the daughters Of parents who can, and
no doubt will, extend 10 them the adyan.
tages held out In the best schools In this
and the old countries
In the painting class there are but four
pupils who have works on exhibition,
namely: Misses Katie Pledge, Grace Cur.
~, Louisa Topp and Lconora Frank. Each
OF these gifted misses may Justly point
with pride 10 one or moro Of their
exhibits as the objects oi admiration
and nattcring remark from both cultured
and un,uiorcd bcholdcp. OF these,
probably the "Siudy Of Shells" by Miss
Pledge; the Library Table" by Miss
Curry, the Turkish Pipe" by Mis- Topp,
and Vegetables" by Miss Frank. 10.
cciycd the fullest measure Of praise They
deserved Il, hut not 10 the extent OF over.
shadowing the other exhibits
Subject studies, THE End" excited n
spirited contest between Misses Lconora
Frank, Grace Curry, Jennie Ovcrton,
Katie Pledge and Louise Topp. This also
was object work, the models being created
by the contestants themselves. II was
new idea put In practice by the
teacher, and happily served its object well.
Each 81 the five works showed at glance
that the dominating qualities Of the mind
had been allowed full swing in the selcc.
ton. Humor, melancholy literature, PC
etry, aud plain matter Of TACT were each
presented with strong force and finish.
! In obedience 10 wide spread desire,
Miss IIigbcc will continue the art exhibi.
ton until the last day of commencement
week, Thursday next.
| J.hn Wnuamakcf's hrotbsr Ia brep 81 y.