Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-05
THE WORK OF PUPILS
EXHIBIT OF ART BY THE WASH
INGToN HIGH SCHOOL.
Progress in Designing and in Use of
Colors - Training Eye and
Hand of Student.


year in the art department of the Washing
ton High Schools is on exhibition in Veer-
hoffs Gallery, where it may be seen until
the end of the week. For several years it
has been the custom to hold similar and
the several schools annually in order that
the parents and others specially interested
might keep in touch with the work of the
pupils, and the object in transferring it this
year to the downtown gallery is not only to
make it more central and accessible to
these persons, but also to invite the atten-
ton of the general public.
The display is interesting and decidedly
out of the usual line of school or student
work. The system itself was in a great
measure evolved by DR.. F. r. Lane, and the
color work is conducted upon plan quite
different from that in use in any other
school in the country. 1t is this branch of
the work which is almost exclusively shown
In the present exhibition, for though some
exercises in draughting are exhibited, be-
sides a series of admirable bookplates in
black and white and 4 number of articles
in burnt wood they collectively make but
d small portion of the display.
70 guard against the popular misappre-
hension that art is taught in the high
schools in order to produce artists. a large
placard has been placed to the left of the
entrance which cOncisely sets forth that
the eye of the pupil to accurate observation
and the hand to facility in representation;
to stimulate the creative faculties and to
cultivate an appreciat ton for the beautiful
IN nature and art"
The courses, which are made known by
this placard also. are that which is regular
ly prescribed for all the students of the first
ana second year occupying one period of
1Orty-f1Ve minutes each week and including
the analysis of form. representation by
color and application of color to design.
The Elective Course
The elective course for the same years
give twice the amount of time. and taking
in addition work in charcoal studying from
casts and still life. The normal prescribed
course. which is likewise two periods week
ly. and intended for those who are candi-
dates for the normal school. is elective for
all other students of the third and fourth
years continuing the same studies In
similar line a higher plane The major
needs With this key it is easy to under
stand and appreciate the series of bright
colored designs which line the walls of this
+ street gallery.
There are sheets of tiny landScapes which
though clever bits, are not intended as con-
tributions to pictorial art but rather as
studies in the combination of several tones
OF the same color. Familiar book covers
as the foundation for other experiments in
applied design, the source of their color
schemes being found in scraps of silks etc
DIT OF dogwood and bunch of wistaria
when We're frst painted as they grew, Were
afterWard adapted in the simplest manner
as designs for lamp vases In one Instance
mere splatch of color. changing from pur-
pie to red, green and yellow Is shown
Notnlns IN itself but spot upon which the
eye rests with genuine delight This same
harmony of tone has been practically nut to
play IN the designing of simple costumes
and house interiors. Two sides of the gal
Iery are given up almost altogether to this
primary color work. in which the student
has gone no further than TO adam with
thought and skill, scheme the source of
Wh1ch Is in every case given. MANY of
These studies have been done with ability
and are extremely harmonious and eratifv
ing in effect
Inc opposite walls are occupied by the
more advanced work in which but the de-
sign and color scheme are original Here
are specimens of wall napers shouiner ~
of familiar garden flow
ers, cushion covers made of butchers linen
tinted and outlined with silk, book cover
designs or practical nature and susges-
lions for cotton prints, foulards and silk
dimes, besides several elaborate ana -.
attractive studies for fans OF these last
those using the butterfly and lotus llIies
as motives are specially artistic and rhyth-
mlcal in line and color.
"A special Feature.
TO emphasize the practical nature and
trend OF all this work a table on which
number of articles in burnt wood are shown
as special feature. These are done by the
students who are taking the technical or
manual training course, which had its first
beginning not many years back in a little
carpenterlng shop for the boys once a week
ana now boasts handsome weIl-eeiujpped
bullding and curriculum of it's own
From start to finish these objects have
been made by the pupils, and as they do
not pose as expert workmen it Is evidence
they nave learned to handle their tools
well and have also grasped the real spirit
of applied design
10 the extreme right. next the door and
as though closing the exhibition, a fragment
cut from a printed official report is hung
winch prophesieS the approach of the time
when ugliness In daily living will cease to
be and emphasizes the fact that exercise
of any sort which tends to develop a finer
perception of beauty more discriminating
taste has an industrial value. Thus, the
visitor will be impressed with the breadth
and Importance of the work and whether
in sympathy with the method used or not
cannot but find some food for