Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-05-15
PREPARE FOR STERNEST COM
PETITION
How Can Your Child Help Our Nation Through
The Study of Art in the Public Schools?

Are you aware of the changes that art mas
undergone since its introduction into public
schools? The first end most marked of these
was trend toward the socaIied Zine arts
The reason for this was simple. Lacking In
dustrial Art Schools, the country hired teach
ers from painting studios. These teachers
naturally reproduced in the schools. that with
which they most familiar.
As a result the idea was planted in the
minds of people that art in public schools
meant two things; first, picture making, re-
presentation IN color from nature. either
landscape or plant life; second. pencil sketches
Of similar subjects, with the attempt to make
them real possible: but rarely was the
result Of an effort fine in its realistic quail
tiles
Art history vas ALEC studies. but from a
historical standpoint only. Design a
word unknown TO teacher and child. II draw
ing books we're used, they were filled with
dry copies OF patterns, TO be copied, without
a particle of practical use.
But two generations ago Massachusetts
school men awoke TO the fact that art needed
TO be developed from industrial standpoint.
As our country developed, il has seen the
wisdom IN The appeal Of those men. that We
should try 10 teach our children something
that would be Of practical use TO tl.era, things
that would aid in giving the e't.id basis
for work, when he should 60 out learn his
trade, should he be sufficiently capable to
make industrial art a profession The real
izatio1 has come, that through the proper
training IN schools, an unusually able child
is sometimes discovered, whose ability might
needs of our nation.
The question may arise What is meant
BY industrial art? What is there in art that
is needed BY the nation -
The United States of America has long
prided itself being one of the greatest in
dasfriaI nations of the world Ii is, but its
position is hased its splendid natural re-
sources, rather than on its organized efficiency
We export TO Europe Sur raw products, but
import art products. such as rugs, textiles.
tapestries, sculpture, painting, etc. 1t Is a
startling fact that are industrial ma
ton without an Industrial Art.
Forty years ago. Germany. by comparison
of her manufactured products with those OF
the Paris Exposition in 1873, discovered how
ponderous. stoIid and clumsy were her ex-
hibits. She prOhted, and started national
movement for the teaching of Industrial Art
Her greatest artists, it is stated, put aside
their brushes, and began to design for the
different trades, such the making of furni-
ture, Wallpaper textiles. pottery IN Iaet,
anything useful that could also be made
beautiful. Now the industrial products Of
Germany are recognized for their beauty and
ineness Of line.
The United States has long been aware of
this. After the war is over. the struggle
for. commercial industrial supremacy will be-
gin. The nation that has the finest product
ions will win. At the present, as has been
said before, the United States is one of the
first the market in raw materials. Now
she must begin TO develop her industrial life.
Authorities realize the Importance of begin
ming with the coming generation, to try to
cultivate the taste, and appreciation of hne
line. design, and coior in everything about
them.
Germany" says the Prang Bulletin. has
an Industrial Art School, supported 5y funds
in every city of 100000 inhabitants. The
United States has not single school in
existance." Does il not CRATE on cur deepest
feelings TO be compared in any way with
Germany? To blot out any supremacy Ger
many, or any other nation, may have after
the war in the Industrial market, we must
teach our children how trade can be affected
by the principles of Design, of Art, what con-
stitutes good art, and help them to apply
their knowledge to their life in the home and
in business.
However young the thought is, it is grow
ing, and becoming awake to the fact
that the architecture of beautiful homes, and
buildings. the creating of advertising posters,
the act of printing free hand, the making of
good designs for rugs, furniture. tapestry,
dishes, silver and even to the clothes we
wear, can not result from color study of
landscapes with brilliant sunset sky, purple
hills, and a vivid green foreground. 1t is
as desirable TO know about Shakespeare, but
that knowledge would not entirely help US to
earn living.
We have much to be thankful for in the
contributions of Bonnie E. Snow, and Hugo
B. Froeliek, both of whom recognized
factors in this modern movement of Industrial
Art. They have compiled set of books to
be used from the first to the eighth grades,
Inclusive They present design and color,
commercial design (printingl costume design,
interior decoration, domestic art, eonstrue-
tive design.
The Art Department mas tOHOWed tnese
texts with gratifying results. Some OF
the most interesting channels we have been
unable to enter upon, because of the extern
sive accommodations, and large supplies Of
materials required, all of which hope to
obtain in the future. Also, the period given
up to art, twice a week is only twenty min
utes long. Necessarily, must work slowly,
and though do not expect the fruits of
our efforts to be obvious Immediately, the
gospel Of art, as governed by the several
art principles. will in time become rooted in
the minds of the children.
However well the children may know the
meaning of the word design, and the prin-
ciples of design, the mere knowing without
practical application TO useful things, will
needs. Mothers, right here let me put in
personal appeal. Save your paste-board boxes
such as Uneeda Biscuit, olive bottles, and
preserve iars,0f small proportions and straight
line. These can often be used to great adj
vantage because of the simple, conventional
line of form.
A brief outline of the work to be done in
all grades will be of assistance in under
standing what constitutes Industrial Art.
In the primary grades develop surface
patterns, leading to the designs of wall paper,
and textiles, through the use of sticks which
print different shapes, and by their combin-
alton create design. We the three pri-
mary eolors. red, yellow, and blue. The COM
bination of the proper ones produce the
binary colors, a step in later teaching color
theory such. These designs may be APP
piled to anything.
Interior decoration Is nrst presented III tHe
delightful form of planning a room for our doll
house, all models embOdying the several art
principles.
Commercial design or lettering is introduced
through the of squared paper, and draw
ing the alphabet
Costume design is developed by making pa
per dolls. What child does not love to make
paper dolls, and plan different costume for
every conceivable occasion? Yet it is a use
full problem. ard plays the part in the Home
Economics Course.
certain knowledge of object drawing is
considered essential because in the great busi-
ness of making advertising poster. all sub
iects are needed--from kings to eabbages.
This is governed by the study of perspective.
Everything studied is presented with de-
finite practical purpose, and in some way
effects the factors in everyday life. We
no longer say art for arts sake" but art for
industry's sake, for life's sake.
SUPERVISOR OF ART In Yiroqua, Wis.
ARGUSES FROM DE SOTO
Following a night of extreme suffering.
Dave Collins rushed to La Crosse hos