New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-21
4 FLOATING ART SCHOOL.
Students IraUeI Waterzcays in
Search of the Picturesque.

Houseboating has every other plan for COM
bining work and pleasure hopeessly distanced"
remarked the tall blond member of the party OF
art students of the Pennsylvania Academy Of
Fine Arts who traversing the waterways OF
that State in search of material for summer
studies.
No one would believe without seeing it," put
IN the short. stout little girl who, with sleeves
rolled up to the elbow. was painting the lock-
keeper in the act of changing his gates. NO
one would believe our stories of the quaint and
picturesque things to be seen along the banks
of the muddy canals and in the unexplored will
derness adjacent to our present haIting place"
THAT'S rather a ponderOus remark for such u
diminutive girl. interposed the freckIed art stu
dent as she stepped back and inclined her head
to one SIDE the better to criticise the canvas on
which she was working. For the sake of avoid
Ing argument. though, will let it pass. l ad-
nit it would be difficult to imagine sphere Of
study admitting of more diversifcation of sub
jects than that presented while ploughing the
raging pillows OF our cOuntry's canal system
Before the smallest girl in the party. known
as the Infant Phenomenon among the others
could air her views the subject the dinner
gorG sounded, and palettes and brushes were
thrown down. while the art students scampereL
aboard the houseboat for the midday meal
The idea of a houseboat as a means of assist
ing art students in their summer studies Origi-
mated with John D. Pierce curator OF the Penn
sylvania Academy of Fine Arts Mr.. and
Mrs. Pierce enthusiastic houseboaters, and
for several summers they have found this
method OF seeking relaxation and health per
fectly satisfactory to themselves This summer
they decided to invite chosen few from among
the students of the art classes to share the
pleasures of the trip. Needless to say. the aT-
plications for places in the boat were far in
cess of the capacity OF the craft to accommoda1
guests.
AS a result OF this inspiration of the curator
| there will be seen in the fall large and varied
| assortment of paintings by art students not the
least interesting OF which viii be depicting
| a party of seekers after art fame gathered on
the deck of 4 houseboat, busily engaged in
transferring TO canvas magnificent riverside
view. while themselves serving as models for
one OF their number seated the bank. The
housebOat. according to the enthusiastic stu
dents is the finest travelling studio ever thought
OF. Instead OF being compelled to seek their
subjects in the country surrounding some farm
house obscure inn. the houseboat colony
moves from place to place. as the fancy takes
them, sketching or painting from the deck OF
the boat itself when the surroundings are suit
able making trips into the adjoining woodland
when the river views lose their charm picking
up delightful models from among the amphbo
mOrtals that frequent the water, avs. and hav-
| ing their command all the time the joys OF
the summer vacation. fishing. bathing, boating.
rambling resting amid sylvan scenes unsur-
| passed anyW here-fOr cannot the girls select
| their scenery before hating the bOat2
Leaving Philadelphia the part proceeded By
! easy stages Trentonward, transferring TO can
! vas on the way many Of the dainty river scerc(
and the old stone buildings and quaint mills .
| this historical region