Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-06
SCHOOL DECORATION
NATIONAL ART SOCIETY COOPER
ATEs WITH THE STAR.

Decoration of school buildings, which UNI
der the impulse of the competition for The
Star collections of casts has awakened
with spirit throughout the District, prom
Uses to become ordered and regulated
movement
A number of the New National Art So
cety, lately organized in the city, to whose
attention the work of the Municipal Art
Societies of Baltimore and New York has
been brought, proposes to put before the
local organization the idea of following
The Stars lead in creating wholesome
and artistic atmosphere for the school
room Pointing to the example of New
forkh shows that the president of the Mu-
nicipal Art Society of that city has APP
pointed a committee on decoration of puo-
lie schools.
The report of the committee of which
George e. Bissell, the sculptor, is chair
man, shows how systematic and thorough
schemes of decoration may be under proper
control.
Purpose Outlined.
The purpose OF the improvement of our
public schools along artistic lines is not"
says Mt Bissell, the promotion o. art for
arts sake, nor the opening of new avenues
for artistic endeavor, but for the common
sense, practical and laudab!e purpose of in
huence of which esthetic tastes and de-
sfres for more agreeable surroundings and
civic pride might be developed among the
people: also through the illustration OF all
subjects taught in the public schools, to
assist in fixing in the minds of children
certain facts in their daily lessons which
no textbook can clearly define and which
without illustration mfsead or produce
nebulouS Impressions and defeat the object
of instruction in these branches.
For example, In history, geography,
architecture and kindred subjects and
lastly for the value OF art in education of
the sentiments and emotions which are Of
such Importance in character forming
Patriotism is a sentiment which tuustfa-
tions OF our national history conspicuously
placed upon the walls Of school rooms
would arouse and foster as no printed text
could ever hope to do And why should
not patriotism be taught through such OBJ
1ect leSSonS?'
Action of Board.
The committee applied to the board OF
education in furtherance of its decorative
purpose, and the board placed four of its
newest buildings at the committees dis
posal for initial work. The Morris High
School was selected, as 1t has a dignified
auditorium 1t is suggested that a series OF
subjects from tine history of the borough Of
the Bronx, In which the school is located,
and from the history of the city of New
York be used for wall paintings, except
back of the stage, where an important ideal
work symbolizing education as the greatest
civilizing force in the world should be
painted In brilliant colorS as the culmina-
ton of the color scheme of the room.
Much OF the work by the Municipal Art
Socety's committee has already been done.
Each floor is to have special features mas
terpieces of architecture, illustrations of
great inventors-Watts and his steam en-
gine--Stevenson and his locomotive-F'ulton
and his teanboat-great events In the
worlds history, biological and kindred sub
iects. Corridors and class rooms are all
to be treated and the scheme now COM
pleted Is being performed in such manner
as will take years to finish. But the esti-
mates for the furnishing of basis for APP
preparations by the society are now being
made.
Such an example has aroused the civic
pride of Washingtonians, and 1t is hoped
that the local art society may do something
along the line begun by the collections OF
casts soon to be handed over to the schools
by The Star.