Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-25
The School Art Competition.

The Star has been highly gratified by
the success beyond all expectations of its
effort to awaken the interest of the public
school children Of this District in the SUBJ
ject of art decorations for the school build
ings. The competition which 1t organized
was undertaken solely for the purpose OF
arousing the pupils intelligent appreciation
OF the highest types of classic sculpture. 1t
has been more than repaid for its pains by
the enthusiasm displayed by both the pu-
pills and the teachers and it is confident that
as a result of the competition the move
ment for the art decoration of the school
buildings will make notable progress in the
near future.
The idea of placing ballot In the hands
of the children to use for the improvement
of their school surroundings appealed from
the first to all connected with the public
educational system of the District. 1t was
heartily approved by the higher school au-
thorfties. Teachers Immediately recognized
the wide possibilities of art education
which 1t offered. and 1t Is infinitely to
their credit that they have improved those
opportunities throughout the weeks of the
contest. The children themselves were in
spired by a wholesome sp rit of partisan
ship and worked early and late to swell
the votes of their respective buildings
The vote cast in this competition reached
the remarkable aggregate of 1S19715. This
represents a proportion of The Stars circu-
lation which was not expected when the
competition was organized. 1t was believed
that there would be a diligent saving of
coupons, but the enterprise and enthusiasm
early displayed by the pupils exceeded even
the most sanguine anticipations Thus was
the device of distributing The Stars statues
among the schools through competition
fully justified at the outset, for each pupil
became thereby interested in the general
subject of classic art
The statues procured by The Star for this
purpose have been greatly admired bv the
most competent judges. both as to the SUBJ
Jects chosen for reproduction and for the
quality of the casts themselves The object
at the outset was to place In the school
buildings only the best, in all respects. ana
the verdict rendered by those who have
viewed the specimen casts received in adj
vance assures this end
The whole collection of 16I pieces is now
In this country. the final shipment having
reached Baltimore and being now in readi-
ness for transport to Washington. The
distribution of the groups among the school
buildings which have succeeded in winning
the prizes in this great competition will
probably be undertaken in a few days.
To all who have taken part in this con-
test The Star offers It's thanks and con-
ordinations. whether they have been sue
cessful in the full degree of their desires
or motifs thanks for their cooperation in
making successful an effort to direct atten-
ton to the subject of school room decora-
ton, its congratulations upon having thus
emphatically proved their hearty interest
in the welfare of their school buildings and
divisions Much good must flow from this
competition, to individuals as well as to the
entire school system, and The Star Is
greatly pleased to have been enabled, by
the vigorous work Of the great school army.
to stimulate to a high degree the art ap-
probation of the younger generation of the
capital.