The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-16
SKILL in HANDICRAFT
SHOWN IN THE FIRST ARTS AND
CRAFTS EXHIBITION.
Work in Designing, Drawing, Iron
Work, Wood Carving, Pottery and
Other Art Industries.

The first exhibit in arts and crafts in this
city opened last evening in the High School
building For years these exhibits have
been given in Germany and other European
countries and several have been given in
America. The object is to inspire young
people and children with a desire for call
ing which shall prove of commercial, in
dustrial and artistic value. The committee
in charge has succeeded in uniting the art
interests of the city and in thus doing will
give the children an idea for an occupation.
The exhibit will also tend to give parents
an idea of the value of the different lines of
art as taught in the school, which lead to
professions. All of the work shown, with
the single exception of the Prang exhibit,
is produced in this city.
The remodeled High School building, OPP
posite the Pennsylvania-street entrance,
has broad stairway, which leads half way
up to broad landing. A large window with
art glass gives ample light and is thing of
beauty as we'll as utility. AT the right and
left are stairways to the upper corridor.
In the broad hall, on the landing, in the as
sembly hall and in several of the rooms
are shown such lines of work as painting,
drawing and decorative art. One room is
given over to wrought iron. wood carving
and embroidery. Hammered leaf in iron,
copper and brass, and such articles as can
dlesticks, vaseholders, trays, picture frames
and screens are shown. In leather work
there is another branch of art, and the
wood carving extends from chairs, cabinets
and brackets to small articles. One alcoVe
is devoted to architectural designs for Of
flee buildings, houses and their interior dec
orations with designs for windows, fret
work and finishings. Another room shows
plastic work and terra Gotta, with tile and
wrought iron. Still another room shows
fine printing. An interesting part of the lat
ter was the catalogue of the exhibit, from
the copy which was sent, through the
proofs to the completed book. All of the
illustrations for the catalogue were made
by the pupils of the schools, and they are
graceful and harmonious in design Another
part of work exhibited IN the various Stages
is the color process. Most of the work is by
one printer and was made for local books,
catalogues and advertising.
In one room is original pottery ana porce-
lain work. The room has special japanese
decorations and vases of peach blossoms
seem to give the proper atmosphere to the
room. One art dealer has an exhibit OF
Braun photographs which have never be-
fore been shown in this city. The local Pho
tographers also have some of their latest
and finest work. A set of Autographs OF the
Walters collection in Baltimore shows to
what perfection this art can attain. me
cOlOrfngS on the pictures are as SOU ana
fine as the vases themselves show. One pic
ture is of the celebrated peach blow vase
which is said to be valued at $2O,OO0. There
is a collection of original drawings by Abb
bolt Thayer. Frederick Church, w. Hamil-
ton Gibson. and the first sketches made by
William Morris Hunt for the Albany library
are to be seen. The florists of the city have
contributed decorations, and either side of
the broad stairway are masses or palms ana
flowers.
Never have the Indianapolis artists been
SO well grouped The light is perfect both
day ard evening, for the Electric Light
freely of their supply. The pictures shown
are the very best, and Mr.. T. {. steele, Mr.
r. B. Gruelle Mr.. Otto Stark, Mr.. William
Forsyth-''the Indiana group-are all
there Three spaces on the wall are given
up to pictures that are now owned by the
city schools and were presented TO them
by the artists. Miss Seegmiller, instructor
i'm art in the schools, is enthusiastic in
what she believes such an exhibit will de-
mo admittance" which is over all work
shop doors. The children have no idea OF
how things are made. and the chief desire
of the boys when asked as to what they
will do when they are men, Is TO be po-
liceman motorman or a Street-car con-
ductor. The assembly hall has the work OF
the pupils i'm the schools. one set or draw
ing is of the fifth-year class, and any one
of the pictures is credtable enough to be
used as a design for a book or magazine
A Washington-street merchant has given
$50 to be used to purchase a picture or
statue for one of the schools. Each even
ing there will be music. Last evening the
Arion Club sang The exhibit will be open
dav and evening until April %.