Studio: international art (1.1893)

The School of Art Wood-Carving

the public at the present day, should usurp the
place of better work.

The School of Art Wood-carving was estab-
lished by the Society of Arts in 1879 at Somerset
Street, Portman Square, with Signor Bulletti, a
Florentine artist, well known for his carvings at
Alnwick Castle, as instructor. Later in the same
year, the space available in Somerset Street not
being sufficient for the accommodation of the
students, the Royal Commissioners for the Exhibi-
tion of 1851 granted rooms in the Albert Hall, to
which the school was removed in September 1879.

In 1881 Miss Rowe was appointed manager and
assistant teacher. In January 1882, owing to ill-
health, Signor Bulletti's connection with the school
ceased. In May of that year the Committee
secured the services of Mr. W. H. Grimwood, a
skilled carver, and the designer of the beautifully
carved panel we are permitted to reproduce. Mr.
W. T. Ross was appointed instructor to the evening
class, with Miss M. E. Reeks as assistant-teacher.

Since 1880 the City and Guilds of London
Institute has made an annual grant to the school
for maintaining six free studentships in the day
classes and six in the evening classes, but these
numbers have always been considerably increased.
The school aims at giving a thoroughly practical
education to the professional carver, and to further
this object, orders for carving are accepted, so
as to accustom the students to work for the
market. Those only who intend making wood-
carving a profession are engaged in executing the
orders received, and regard is always paid to the
educational value of the work undertaken. In
addition to the students in training, the school is
open to amateurs, and the appreciation shown by
the public for the instruction given is testified by
the following figures, giving the attendance of the
students since 1881 :

year.

students.

year.

students.

l88l

. . 42

1888

. . 184

1883

. . 72

1889

• v 255

1884

• • 73

1890

. . 267

l885

. 102

1891

• • 305

1886

. 120

1892

• • 375

1887

. 146





The classes are open daily from 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. (Saturday 10 to 1). The evening classes are
on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday even-
ings, from 7.30 to 9.30, and on Saturday afternoon
from 2 to 5. Further particulars can be obtained
from the manager; also copies of two hand-
books by Miss Rowe, embodying the school in-
58

struction—" Hints on Wood-carving," and " Hints
on Chip-carving"—which have received the ap-
proval of the Science and Art Department, as well
as a series of photographs of the Wood-carvings in
the South Kensington Museum. Teachers of
wood-carving have been sent from the school to
various parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, and
Wales, and in consequence a great impetus has
been given to the art throughout the country,
which has resulted in an increase of students and
of buyers of wood-carving. For the further instruc-
tion of country classes, who are unable to see the
art treasures shut up in the various museums
throughout the world, Miss Rowe has arranged a
series of magic lantern slides, with notes to
accompany the same, of " Simple Wood-carvings "
from the South Kensington Museum, Munich,
Berlin, and from private collections. Particulars
of these may be obtained from Messrs. Sutton &
Co., 11 Ludgate Hill. Lessons are also given by
correspondence. Each lesson includes a carved
example to be retained by the pupil, a block for
copying the same, with instructions how to set to
work. The finished result may be sent to the
manager for criticism. The guidance and super-
vision of a teacher cannot, of course, be adequately
replaced by written rules, but they go some way
towards giving the beginner a good start. Panels
may also be hired from the school to work from.
Occasionally short courses of lectures have been
arranged for the students on such subjects as
"Architecture," and "Woodwork and the Prin-
ciples of Construction"; and later on it is hoped
that some may be given on " Design " in connec-
tion with wood-carving.

The Executive Committee of the Institute has
given permission for students of the school to re-
ceive instruction in carpentry in the workshops of
the Central Institution on one afternoon in the
week. This is a valuable addition to the school
course.

By permission of the Lords of the Committee of
Council on Education, students of the school have
the privilege of free admission to the South Ken-
sington Museum and Libraries, and to some of the
lectures given in the Lecture Theatre, on produc-
tion of their school tickets. With regard to the
work done in the school, a very high standard of
excellence has been obtained; and in comparing
the work with Continental schools, the comparison
is very favourable to the English students.

In the Educational Section of the International
Health Exhibition, 1884, the school was awarded a
silver medal, and Miss M. E. Reeks, assistant-