The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-09
4 VISI7 70 MISS
 EDNA SDlITH'S ATELIER
Work Accomplished By This Clever Young Woman-Pupils Do Her Great Credit-Portrats of Many Distinguished
 People-State Fair Exhibits
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE.

"Yes. you may call this my atelier," said Miss Edna Smith a few afternoons ago, as I dropped into her attractive studio for a few minutes talk about her work, flor my studio is essentially a workshop for myself and my pupils alike"
 'It is very fascinating" I said, as l glanced around, seeing the walls ,cov- cred with attractive specimens of the work of this clever young woman and her pupils A group of interesting models a head of Cicero, Venus of the Bath, the Venus de Milo, St. Jerome a Gladiator and numerous others made pretty mise- en-scene, which attracted my attention, and said:
 Those casts over there, whose work Is thatg"
 "Those were sent me by Signor Moretti last week when he was breaking up his studio at Carrara, prior to his departure for Italy, said Miss Smith, and going over to the group of subjects she picked up a wonderful piece of work and said, 'This was done by Miss Fannie Dren- nen. under Signor Morettfs instruction
 
 in it, because Miss Drennen is one of my pupils also. and I have followed her with great interest since she has been studying sculpture"
 What a distinct loss Signor Moretti will be-" remarked, "and how his work will be missed.'
 "Yes," replied Miss Smith, there has never been anybody in this part of the country just exactly like him. I sup Miss Mercer, who Is a south Alabama girl by the way, will follow him to Italy to pursue their studies?'
 q had heard that I believe" and turn ing to the various works of art in the studio, which were very interesting to me, I said.
 And is all your work done right here in your atelier?'
 ''Oh, yes," said Miss Smith. Tt is per- haps not the place of beauty you might expect to f1nd you know all that idea of beautiful surroundings does not come with the bread and porridge period of one artistic development Usually it arrives at a much later time, for nearly every one-in fact, when ones reputation and prosperity can afford to indulge in the collective spirit and surround ones self with rare objects dart or examples of master minds-and then this is done really more for the association than otherwise, ito be written and talked about and en- joyed by ones friends. Such a place is not exactly conducive to hard work, for the workman above all else delights in simple solitude"
 ''I think that is true,'' suggested, for nearly every studio I have ever been in shows the simple, yet artistic taste, of its occupant. And do you enjoy teach- ing?" I asked Miss Smith, ~
 "I thoroughly enjoy my teaching" re- sponded she. "and why should not, when l find such excellent material as I have already found and am still finding all the while? Do you know that one of the vital helps to the awakening and devel- opment of the artistic instinct is the ex- cellent work now being done in our public schools? And best of all, this work is giving the impetus to that talent, the energy and the desire to make something of it as we'll"
 T think it is a splendid idea that art and music should advance in the school system as each has done within the last few years, and I can readily understand how much you appreciate it."
 Just to give you an idea, a super visor of art has been appointed in this county during the past year by the su- perintendent of public education and I am very proud to say that to one of my pupils was paid the compliment of being selected to fill the position, which she is doing most creditably to herself and to me. The subject was referred to me and a discussion of its merits and its development throughout the state was az itated and I feel sure that the experi- ment in our own county has proved so beneficial and has met with such hearty approval that it is only question >of time when every county in the state will adopt the idea. Pupils and teachers alike, where she had gone through the county, not regularly always to these places, have asked that the art teacher be sent to them just -please-and so this gen. tie teacher has gone to the small places where her talks and carefully planned in- struction and illustrations have helped to brighten the regular routine of daily work and placed advantages before the pupils that are untold in their benefits"