Rhode Island School of Design - Portfolio Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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Yearbook Board EDITOR Rosaline A. Braga ART EDITOR BUSINESS MANAGER Ruth M. Lamb Dorothy Nichols LITERARY EDITORS DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Shirley Wooddell Marguerite Flynn ZIRT ASSOCIATES Priscilla Browning Jean Eller Colwell Barbara Demers Mary Parker Eleanor R. Price Ann Tokaz Elizabeth Underwood

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eae See wae mame , Sara a ae ees | Wa EO | EO OS AON IO Dedication You have only to look about you to see the effects that war has had upon our school. All the boys who once made our corridors ring with their laughter and their horseplay are now conspicuous by their absence. In some classes you will see grease-smudged girls trying valiantly to learn to take a man’s place in indus- try. As each lesson unfolds you can see it takes its part in the accelerated program. Because we appreciate the great sacrifice that these boys have made in don- ning their dress blues, their O. D.’s and aviation greens, we wish to issue this book in their honor. A small book so quickly read seems hardly enough to show the depth of our appreciation, but perhaps if those boys who are now carrying a gun instead of the ball could know the thoughts that lie in the hearts of all of us, they would realize our gratitude. The shadow of a gold star has already fallen across the name of Paul Babel on the list of servicemen. Accordingly, we dedi- cate this book to those men and hope that that ominous roll of honor will soon be repla ced by the men themselves returning to us in the flesh.

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The History of R. 1. S. D. 66 Years of Achievement 1854 The General Assembly gave a charter to the Rhode Island Art Association to establish an art museum and gallery. It was felt that Rhode Island needed a school to train designers of manufactured goods so that they might compete favor- ably with the European market. These plans could not be carried through because of the Civil War. 1876 The sponsors of the Rhode Island Exhibit in the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia came back with $1675 left over and no means of using it, until they recognized the need for such a school. Accordingly on March 5, 1877, twelve trustees met together, and preparing a constitution and plan of organization, subsequently applied to the General Assembly to be incorporated. ‘Their aim was “education in art with special reference to decorative design.” Free hand drawing, clay work, and wood carving were also among the first subjects taught by Mr. Charles Barry, the first teacher. Expenses were to be no more than $1500. per year. 1878 On October 7 the School of Design opened in Room 34 of the Hoppin Home- stead building on Westminster Street. There was stiff competition from the heads of various finishing schools throughout the city, among them Mary C. Wheeler, who had just returned from study in Europe. ‘The day school met on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from nine in the morning to one in the afternoon with the exorbitant tuition rate of $15. per term for the day school and $3. per term for the Saturday classes. Mrs. Jesse Metcalf was often among the students, giving her time and effort to helping them as they worked from casts and copies of well-known examples of art. 1885 By this time the students in mechanical design were becoming crowded and the heat from the gas lamps bothered them. ‘To remedy this they suggested rent- ing the upper floor of the building. ‘The School was sa fast in gaining recogni- tion that this year the first annual exhibition of American artists was held in Infantry Hall. Another benefactor in these formative years was Dr. Gustav Raedeke, a brother of Mrs. Metcalf, who brought in new models of practical ob- jects from Europe so that the students might use these for study. He also offered prizes for machine drawing, composition, and elementary design. 1888 The School was making such rapid progress that a 48-page catalogue was published. At the same time it was felt that more community help was needed in addition to that provided by a few philanthropists. Students of those days had their weaker side, too. Pipes were mysteriously frozen because of windows left open in icy weather and splashes of ink were sometimes found on the walls. 1893 Dedication ceremonies were held on October 24 for the main building on Waterman Street which is now used as the Freshman Building. ‘This was given by Mr. Metcalf in honor of his wife. ‘There was now a larger corporate body composed of twelve directors, including the Governor, the Mayor of Providence, the Commissioner of Education, the Superintendent of Schools and the librarian of the Providence Public Library.