The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-27
Public School Art.

In the board Of education rooms at
the city hall there is an exhibition Of
drawing, covering the whole course Of
that study in the public schools, which
is worthy of attention from parents and
all interested in education. If we are
not much mistaken this exhibition will
be 9. revelation to many people who do
not keep themselves in close touch with
the work in the schools and know what
kind Of training the children Of Mime
apolis are receiving in: this department
Of education: Facility in drawing as
a part of ones education is coming to
be more highly appreciated and the
value: Of the exhibition made at the
city hall lies largely in the fact that it
is fairly representative-not a selection
Of the best, but showing of the average
work done in all the grades during the
current year. ~, ss... =, +.
Some of this work is beautiful But
more important is the disclosure in this
collection of the intelligent understand
ing Of art acquired by the pupils. The
eyes of the pupils have been trained to
see and their hands to construct things
that are orderly and interesting and
beautiful to such an extent that those
who lay aside pencil and brush at the
end Of their. school course thru greater
liking or. aptitude for other studies and
pursuits not requiring the use Of their
| knowledge of art will, nevertheless, car
ry into other fields of activity and eff
fort valuable discipline, trained observa
ton and skill Of hand acquired thru this
| study of art principles. @e7- ~. t
| The Importance of art in industrial
and commercial life is looming large IN
America now. The ability to draw some
thing is an item Of educational equip
ment of very high value The training
in art now afforded in our public schools
is an excellent foundation for further
training in special schools Of art. But
it is more than that. 1t is a prepare
ton in first principles which, ready al
hand, is sure to be of immense value
on many occasions in practical life. The
foundation laid by Miss Snow has beer
builded upon with fine intelligence ant
7 care by Miss Roberts, who is keen tt
appreciate and emphasize all in art tina
is of practical value in industrial life.
While instruction in drawing will
Fenables pupils who have received
this training to decide whether
their tastes run to some pursui
involving further art study ant
enable them to measure to some exten
their natural powers, the industrial art
are sure to benefit intellectually by tn
instruction given in the public schools
1t is said that the secret Of the success
of the French in hardicrafts has beer
due to the cultivation Of the artistic
taste and the development of skill in tn
hand more than to: anything else. Thi
qualification of the French workman
q has long secured for his product in tn
markets of the world higher pric
than that accorded to the industrial
products of other nations where less at
tention has been given to art trainin
and the cultivation Of taste in desig
and skill in execution. We are Jus
beginning to learn this lesson in Amerj
ca, and to understand that it is entitle
to an important place in our scheme o
popular education. @ %3
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