Franklin Central High School - Liberanni Yearbook (Franklin, NY)

Page 89 text:

MNT The Art Department in Franklin Central School is under the supervision of Mr. F. Gerald Taggart. The aims of the Junior High School classes, which are compulsory, are many. Chief among them are: l. The appreciation of beauty as expressed in fine, industrial, and household arts. This covers all the phases of art, both in the home and in the commercial and industrial fields. Art appreciation makes the student capable of enjoying the best in all things which will give him a fuller, more complete life. 2. Discovery of those pupils who show talent and perseverance and to offer them special opportunities for the development of their skill and creative power. 5. A knowledge and understanding of the fundamental laws governing the creation of fine and beautiful things. Many courses are needed to carry out these objectives. Included in these are pencil, pen and ink, crayon, spatter work, oil painting, etching, tempera, poster work, soap carving, block printing, and charcoal work. From this variety the student is sure to find at least one which arouses his interest. When he does find one, he is eager to go deeper into the subject and to continue practicing. In the Senior but are voluntary, range of courses. com ercial design, of these require a during the term. During any of High School the art courses are not compulsory, the student choosing his subject from a wide These include pencil rendering, poster work, mechanical and architectural drawing. Each certain number of plates to be completed these courses the student is left, as far as possible, to work out his own designs and drawings. The teacher is a guide to the students rather than an assistant who does actual work for him. Only occasionally does the instructor work on the students' drawings. The drawing and its idea must originate within the student . It must be felt by the student. The deeper, more intense the feeling, the better the drawing. All drawing must be voluntary. Physical force cannot bring about the creation of ideas. For this reason a budding artist should be surrounded by numerous examples of good drawings and probable ideas for drawings. These should be criticized for good and bad points by the teacher. Constant reference pup1l's mind. to them soon makes an impression on the Time is an important element in art work. Haste and impatience have been the ruin of many a young artist. The principles and fundamentals must be mastered first, regardless of how tedious they may seem. As soon as these are thoroughly mastered,the pupil may hurry on as rapidly as he wishes. Art courses in High Schools are being looked upon more and more favorably everywhere. The day may come when it will be a necessary subject in the high school curriculum.