The San Francisco call., 1907-06-24


auspices of the California guild Of arts
and crafts, the establishment of which
was foretold in these columns some
time ago. begins work today. The same
season which is marked by the reJuve-
nation of the Mark Hopkins institute
under the name of the San Francisco
art institute sees the establishment OF
a new project devoted to the culture OF
the fine arts. The school Of the Califor-
MIA guild of arts and crafts disclairls,
however, any intention of rivaling the
time honored art institute in California
street. Its main object is the education
of the public along the line OF industrial
art, and its promoters expect TO draw
its chief support from the ranks OF the
teachers in the public schools The
school has been located in Berkeley
and four rooms in the studio building
have been fitted out for it's use.
Like its older competitor, the school
of the California guild of arts and
crafts begins work with summer ses-
sion; the regular term will commence
in September. The school is under the
dictatorship of Frederick H. Meyer, who
acts as instructor of freehand and me-
chanical drawing and practical design
ing. The life classes and the outdoor
sketching class will be taught by Per-
ham Nahl, and Miss Elizabeth Ferrea
will have class in modelling.
In speaking of the aim of the school
Professor Meyer said: I'VE hope to
reach the public school teachers espe-
cially. We want to introduce some
beauty into the lives of the pupils.
especially those in the country, who
often suffer from a woeful lack OF it.
The trouble with the art instruction in
the public schools is that IL is not prac-
tical enough to really enter the minds
of the children. 1 once heard teach er
trying to explain to a class of children
the composition in one of Rubens' most
complex pictures, picture that puz-
zled judges of art, and about which
even critics could not agree in regard
to the composition. some saying that it
had no composition at all. Imagine how
much good that would do the average
pupil in a public school 1T simply
meant nothing at all to the class.
though the teacher was doing her ut
most to make ii clear. On the other
hand, if they can make some beautiful
thing Of art for themselves and learn
why ii is beautiful, even if it be ever so
small and simple, then they are really
| being taught something that will do
them great good"
The collection Of European posters
which was exhibited in the guild rooms
in California street some time ago has
been moved to the art gallery in the
studio building and is augmented by
some remarkably interesting posters
from France and Spain.
The exhibition by the artist members
of the Sequoia club has been moved
to the permanent quarters OF the club
at 1865 Bush street The new rooms
with their large distances and gray
green walls form an excellent back
ground for pictures, and the manage
ment intends to make the exhibition
I a permanent thing. AS pictures are
sold or taken away they will be re-
! placed by others, and invitations will
be sent TO artists who are not mem
members of the club is perhaps re-
| sponsible for the very uneven merit
of the present collection.
Among those that reach the first
rank are two characteristic western
scenes by Maynard Dixon. Desert
Landscape" and "Vaquero of Jalisco
VIII Sparks has some very good Cali
fornia landscapes. Bertha Stringer
Lee. IN addition to her activity as
chairman OF the art committee, has
found time to contribute a number of
pictures In these, as well as in some
work exhibited at local dealers, Mrs.
Lee shows a branching out into more
ambitious work than she had attempted
before. Among the most charming of
her paintings is a view OF the old GUS
tom house at Monterey before the
! restoration Sophie Marston Brannon
! has some views of Monterey that are
1 full of the atmosphere and feeling of
1 the old town Maurice del Mues two
/ landscapes are among the most attrac-
tive things in the exhibition.
There are several other things well
worth place in a representative Cali
/ fornia exhibition, but IL cannot be de-
=