The record-union., 1892-11-29
THE SCHOOL OF DESIGN.

In contemplating the struggle the Cali
fornia Museum Association has main
tanned in this city for seven years to
support School Of design, and with
tine measure of success, so far as results
among pupils are concerned, the conclu-
sion is reached that it would have been
very much greater success, and very
much less a struggle, but for the general
misrepresentation that art study is purely
an accomplishment; something in the
nature Of luxury. In fact, it is an in
dustry so closely related to other indus
tries that in true sense they are in
separable.
l.. Alma Tadema, the distinguished
artist and critic, who has done so much
in England to popularize art instruction,
has put the whole matter into a nutshell,
when he says in a recent paper:
Industry-I read it so, at least-signifies the
Production OF arts and manufactures, and as
tpe manufacture is nothing but the execution
OF subject given by art, there must exist be-
tween art and industry the closest possible
tie, and the more these two work hand in
- =. tA4SA-4
we md that by giving the direction OF the
manufacture of Sevres into the hands of con
summate artists, the porcelain of that factory
naS oDtalheu the very highest reputation;
and we find that when our great tlaxman
was the artistic soul OF the manufacturers Of
The WedgwQods they produced wares OF such
excellence that II is now worth its weight in
gold. 50 long as art guides our industry we
need NOT lear any mpetition. Our Chippen-
uslie ana sheraton furniture is second 10
none.
iz No roll ~ 10
and good judgment, especially is it not
creditable to the local community, that
these truths are not more generally COM
pretended, and our Schools of Design
given, in consequence, better support.
AS matter of fact, as an educational
factor the Sacramento school is of fore
most value, and it ought, therefore, to be
maintained without the struggle, and so
literally as to enable it to broaden its
work and departments and cheaper the
cost of attendance upon it. Essentially
a public institution, without money in
terest or reward to anyone, it would be
positive loss to the community if it
should be compelled to close its doors :;
for in the long run promoters of such in
situations which do not receive adequate
recognition discontinue their efforts.
The Sacramento school ought to have
very much more Of attention than it re-
ceives. Most similar schools in other
cities are carefully fostered, and have
deal Of encouragement from the press
and the people, for the reason that when
ever there is school Of such character,
one not conducted for private gain, there
Is felt in it community interest, and keen
community pride. Let our people but
reflect that such means of instruction are
not mere polishing institutions, but aids
to better work in all other legitimate call
ings, and that they enlarge the capacity
in other commendable directions, and
the true value OF such schools will be-
come apparent to them. As Alma Ia
dema well says:
Art and industry are in reality inseparable.
IL IS the greatest error 10 believe that the or
10 nents stuck at RANDOM on a bridge or a
bulto1ng are architecture and that the con-
sJructun is Industry, or that the decoration
stamped on knl1e-handle is art and that
tue knife IS the industry. The parts that
form a Whole must be homogeneous. and
IDEA SO 1t was from the beginning, and so il
ought always 10 be.