Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-05-26
Warm Springs Art Glasses
Termed Valuable by Doctor

provided by the Butte Art Center to
offer required technical direction and
see that the work is carried out on
schedule.
According to DR.. Holmes, the aim
of the art class is more recreational
than vocational in character. To many
of the patients who attend it merely
makes a pleasant day in the weekly
round of activities, but for Others with
greater talent for artistic expression
and an ability to draw, the class has
a vocational advantage as we'll"
Instructor From Butte
James Redmond, a member of the
assigned as instructor of the classes
and makes a trip to Warm Springs
every Wednesday. spending a full day
from 9 o'clock in the morning to 4
O'Clock in the afternoon at the task.
Betty keenan,. also member Of the
Butt Art Center staff. has served as
instructor for the course.
The formal side of art training is not
stressed and originality is encouraged.
Students are not asked to do any one
particular subject and when they need
help or advice, they are aided along
the lines of their own personal choice
of subject or method.
Without coercion or pressure, the idea
of an orderly approach to the work
gradually makes its appearance. Com
poSitional ideas in color choice and ar
rangement. linear balance and dark
and light patterns make themselves
felt by students who at first had no
idea of the existence Of such abstrac-
tons.
Encourages Order
The orderly thought demanded in
the development of a picture can not
but effect on the ability to order and
.yN, oil ~ ra1o iS,, l,ir
clearly Mr. Redmond points out in eX-
planning the methods used. To bring
color and line into proper relationships
implies an ability perhaps temporarily
in allegiance, to order and arrange
properly the other affairs of life, he
e:plaiES.
Among the many activities growing
out of the art class. holiday cards are
made for relatives and friends. Some
cards are made for sale and may be
seen along with other items turned out
by the occupational classes. The eX-
cellence of the work of some of the
patients was brought out recently
when a collection of the patients art
works was exhibited at a show in
Great Falls. held during a convention.
The exhibit was praised highly as in
Guiding some mature and well-done
pieces.
Work of this kind. DR.. Holmes and
MT. redmond point Out. Is increasing
constantly in all progressive hospitals.
Valuable Reference
In addition to the value to the stu
dent of time we'll spent. the filed and
Catalogued products of each partici
pant form valuable reference file for
the hospital staff, making it easy to
keep track of the progress made by the
individuals. The value of this to the
pSychiatrist is inestimable. The work
turned out by students often expresses
the emotional needs and brings to
light hidden completes which are caus-
alive factors in mental breakdownS and
pSychoSes
In the first six months of work and
experimentation the progress has been
such that no doubt can be felt as to its
value. Dr. Holmes points out. All con-
cerned-StudentS. DR. Holmes and the
Art Center staff-feel that continuance
is called for and hope TO cooperate for
long time TO come.
Mr.. Redmond points out also that
while many of the pieces show an in
terest on the part of participants and
many show an original and inventive
turn, a large proportion of the work is
of fine quality and discloses a talent
that may be developed to degree of
professional excellence.