The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-14

~NE Of the most interesting things
to notice in the progress of the
w14 schools Of the city is the rapid
lET4HI stride that has been made, not
only in art, but in artistic
roundings for the children. A glimpse into
almost any schoolroom is pleasing nova
days. and many of the rooms are as aes-
thetically decorated as those of a welI-to-
do house
A little tour of inspection by parents to
the school in their district would prove a
most enjoyable as well as instructive occa-
sion. They would then learn for them
selves in what kind of place the junior mem
bers Of the family spend fully one-half
their waking hours, besides making the
acquaintance of some very charming women
in the persons of the teachers.
The accompanying illustrations have been
selected from a number of photographs
taken for the school authorities by Bass &c
Woodwork to be sent to the st. Louis ex-
position. and they are merely representative
of dozens of other schoolrooms and halls.
Together with the pictures showing the
children in all phases Of their work and
play. they will form an important part of
the Indianapolis school exhibit. They are
here necessarily reduced in size.
One feature of the schoolrooms they, of
course, cannot represent, and that is the
tinting of the walls. Only seven or eight
years ago there were no decorations save
a few plants in the windows and what was
then a dreary waste of rough gray wall
space is now done in a warm buff, which is
furnishing in itself and makes harmonic
ing background for nearly any kind of dec
Grafton. Many of the teachers have, in
addition, made use of burlap to cover por-
lions of their blackboards and walls. 1t
comes in beautiful colors and has the fur
ther advantage Of being easy to pin things
on" II is usually made the setting for the
little drawings and paintings made by the
children. One Of the rooms has an effective
corner In rich cardinal which, with the
white paper upon 1t, is both striking and
pleasing.
The principals office is usually the "cozy
corner" of the building. Here touches,
cushions, bookcases and tasteful etchings
give a refined and home-like air, and If
pupils may not literally be called up on
the green carpet" they can at least walk
upon rugs which are scattered artistically
about The teachers and principals are ex-
pected to furnish the pictures or other
decorations for the rooms over which they
have charge and most of them have con-
tributed some very good paintings, cabinets,
plants and StatuetteS
The halls and general assembly rooms,
on the other hand, abound in gifts of de-
parting classes, gifts from interested out
siders and many things earned by the chill
dren In giving entertainments. All gifts
presented by graduating classes are sub
Ject TO approval by committee on school
decoration, consisting OF one member of
the School Board the superintendent of
schools, the supervisor Of drawing and one
teacher, appointed by the superintendent.
The supervisor of drawing, Miss Wihelmina
Seegmiller, is chairman of the committee.
The classes make their own selections,
however, and Indiana artists come in for a
good share of patronage. Gruelle Steele,
Otto Stark and Forsyth are among the most
prominent. To one going about among the