The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-15
BY ADELE CLARK.

Il don't know anything about art"
is phrase which promises to become
obsolete in Richmond In the next gem
Grafton. Richmond has already given
ne-flfth OF her population elementary
instruction In art. Twenty-six thou.
sand young people have received art
lessons during the past eight years in
an erect OF this training and the de-
Heiopnent OF the aesthetic sense as a
part OF every -day education. the stand
ara OF the illustrations used in school
text books has been raised. the artisfic
decoration OF schools has Increased. and
me taste or students in the decoration
or me home has improved.
Under the Supervision OF Richmond
Woman.
Perhaps the most Interesting item in
the art work OF the Richmond schools
Ia the manner In which tho work has
grown TO meet the requirements and
circumstances peculiar TO our locality.
Art was not put into the schools as
the part OF an outside Aystem, but the
teaching OF art in the Richmond graded
sGhools mas been under the supervision
or u richmond woman. and the system
has been developed ana adapted bv
her 10 suit our conditions
Contrary TO many courses taught in
our schools. the teaching of art does
not require an expensive equipment
VIII pencil. brush. ink, scissors and
paper wonderful results may be OBJ
! tanned. The little people are generally
begun with these simple materials.
the supervisor states that there is no
better way to teach form than with
the paper-cuttinS and brush work not
oniy TO children, but 10 older boys and
girls. The art work is correlated with
other subjects in the school-nRmelv
nature study, literature. history, geog-
raphy; The children draw the birds
einssn nowera nt they study in the nature
read and told them in the literature
s elias ssa :, They hey depict historic events,
han
me geography classes; The aim in
the art classes Is TO divide the time
and illustration and half the time to
representation of objects or nature.
Classwork.
Concerted class activity is an impor-
graded schools While the teacher is
constantly on the watch for the signs
pupils. IL Is classwork and general
development that Is most desired. The
subject SUI, to be drawn. painted or cut
class before any work Is begun.
Posters.
In poster work, especially. does this
| ton OF pasteboard covered with con-
struction paper OF the desired hue for
brown for earth. or gray for an in
doors scene-is prepared by the teach
err The children are given papers of
times the silhouettes are cut from
black papers. sometimes both black and
classes papers of the local color are
cut and afterwards some little details
painted upon them. From the figures
or objects cut the class selects the
best In workmanship. and the children
themselves paste upon the large foun-
dation the silhouette pictures. the
grouping, composition, involved per-
spective Is the wort~o7 the class, the
teacher making necessary suggestions.
but In no way interfering with the
spontaneous, expression OF the pupils.
In one Of the schools there has been
made an intensely interesting represen-
tation of the old and the new fire de-
seen the old bucket brigade" in line
before. the burning building On an.
the modern engines. the most improved
fire apparatus and the force of firemen
working at their various posts.
6a neS 6sen Goa yasd
showing the activities of such yard,
the mule carts. drivers. heaps Of coal
cars. The work is quite naturalistio,
In one of the .paper-cutting lessons
| the class In q Colored school was illus
trating folklore story, in which the
characters consisted OF a pig. COW
and calf; chickens, a cat and dog and
with the remark 81 knew what the pig
| and the COW and the chickens looked
! like, but l had to cut the angel by my
, heart"
Landscape.
| Much work Is done IN landscape
! painting and drawing. Water color
| landscapes are among the first things
produced in the early lessons. A blue
wash for the sky, green wash for
! the grass, varying shades for distant
and near trees. sunsets. snow scenes.
! autumn trees. tho sea, with or without
+ boats, are a constant Joy to the young
/ artists.
! Charcoal and pencil drawings are
! made the former used principally for
still-llfe objects. the latter for draw,
ings from the pose a member Of the
duently posed In tho action Of some
| game or work. The class draw In SIM
Pile lines and masses this model. The
! cooking class at work makes COM
position of absorbing interest. ~
Exhibitions. X
During the present session most of
1 tho art work In the schools has con-
sisted OF preparation for the exhibition.