Massachusetts College of Art and Design - Palette and Pen Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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DEDICATION EXERCISES half past two o’clock on October twenty-eight, nineteen hundred and thirty, the ex- ercises of the dedication of the Massachusetts School of Art, on Brookline and Longwood Avenues, were held in the spacious auditorium of the new art home. The presiding speaker, Mr. Payson Smith, Commissioner of Education in Massachusetts, introduced the Reverend John Carroll Perkins, D.D., who opened the dedication with an invocation in which he stressed posterity as the right and natural goal of mankind. The occasion was honored by the presence of his Excellency, Frank G. Allen, Governor of Massachusetts, who extended greetings from the Commonwealth. There was a double significance in the Governor’s presence, for it was in his regime that the appropriations for the new school were enacted upon. The Importance of Art in General Education” was the subject of the speech of Dr. Jeremiah E. Burke, Superintendent of Boston Schools. It was invigorating to hear Dr. Burke mention the great need of art as a refreshing element in this world so fast becoming mer- cantile. His belief was that the present age had need to go back to the old craftsmen’s idea of working in the spirit of God. The exercises were made pleasant throughout by selections, rendered by the Massachu- setts School of Art Orchestra, composed of Robert Amendola, violinist. Pearl Starbird, cellist, and Helen Mills, pianist. Needless to say, the presence of Mr. Royal Bailey Farnum, on this occasion, was received by his many friends as the return of the Prodigal Son. Again we felt the warmth and inspira- tion that his personality seems to radiate, as he explained the development of art interest in American education. Representing the Massachusetts School of Art Faculty, as its oldest member, Mr. Wilbur D. Hamilton told of his thirty-eight years of experience in the school and closed his speech with a donation to the football team, which example he hoped would be followed by many others. Mr. Frank W. Wright, Director of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Educa- tion and Normal Schools, stated in his talk, that art was a means of elevating the taste and vision of the people. The chief fear for the people was that, while young they gather material to build a bridge to the moon, but when they become middle-aged they use it for a woodshed.” The impressive dedication speeches terminated with an address by our principal and state director of Art Education, Mr. Charles Edward Newell. Mr. Newell spoke on the school’s heritage; from the time of its founding on Pemberton Square, for the purpose of training teachers and supervisors of art for the public schools of the state, up through the forty-three years on Newbury and Exeter Streets. Our principal believed the creed of the school should be one of freedom and respect for those who govern. He is now our captain of this newly launched ship and needs the cooperation of its occupants for a successful future. Under the direction of Frederick W. Archibald of the Framingham State Normal School, America the Beautiful” was rendered as a fitting ending to the impressive exercises. In our new school, adequately equipped, and under the supervision of worthy instructors and directors, we shall strive to uphold its traditions and standards and look to the future in anticipation of doing our part in making this world a better place to live in because of our contribution. Dorothy A. Lewis

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Massachusetts School of Art Corner of Exeter and Newbury Streets Massachusetts School of Art Corner of Brookline and Longwood Avenues

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THE PAGEANT Closing Tableau of the Pageant O N Tuesday evening of October twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and thirty, a large gathering of invited guests, instructors, and students attended the evening exer- cises of the dedication of the new building for the Massachusetts School of Art at Brook- line and Longwood Avenues. When the heavy dark curtains swung aside, in colorful pageantry was revealed a slowly-moving processional in whose midst walked ART, the symbol of our pageant, who stepped aside to observe the living story of history repeated from the day of the earliest Indian settlement to the Victorian age. In this scene the founding of the Massachusetts Normal Art School was vividly and realistically portrayed. After due tribute was paid to the New England Tercentenary, we entered the world of Art beautifully dramatized in pantomime. The story of Art was retold in elaborate costuming and rhythmic dancing. The beat of tom-toms introduced the primitive Indian dancers, which was followed by an interpretation, through the dance, of the glittering Orient. Classical Greece, then the Renaissance period, were both beautifully executed and charmingly presented. Labor, personified in rhyme, preceded the age of jazz. The pageant was brought to a close by the spirit of the Future, for Art will never die, it is always present; so this finale was appropriately symbolized in a dark setting by figures of the future, with arms and hands outstretched toward the infinite. The splendor of the pageant, so beautifully written by Mr. Porter, with its charm of lighting, color, and costume and its pleasing execution, was a fitting tribute to the spirit and cooperation of the pupils and faculty. Gretchen Shelton