Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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26 VOX COLLEGII recital was given in the concert hall by the pupils of Miss Alice Gott, A.T.C.M., assisted by Miss Mabel Sharpe and Mis Mae Armitage, pupils of Mr. G. D. At- kinson. The following took part : soprano, Miss Hattie Brouse- Miss Ethel Terry, Miss Etta Jackson, Miss Edith Reedy, Miss Gladys Morris • contralto. Miss Mar- jorie Ross, Miss Morella Buchanan. (3nce again the final reckoning time has come. What have we to show as proof that our time in the studio has not been spent merely as a recreation from other more tedious studies? At least there has been one person to whom Art has been all in all this year — Miss Wenowae Holmes, who has se- cured the diploma for the course in China Painting and Design. For three years there have been no graduates in Fine Art Courses, so we are justly proud of Wenowae ' s courage in carrying her course through to a successful finish. Although conventional designing and a knowledge of color, together with the act- ual decorating of the china, seem to con- stitute essentials of this course, there must be a good grounding in freehand drawing or color work in either oils or water color. Last year Miss Holmes ob- tained Mr. Manley ' s award for highest standing in China Painting, and this year has certainly fulfilled last year ' s promise. Judging the exhibit of this department as a whole we would say that the aim has been daintiness of design and color for table pieces, and harmony of both de- sign and color for the purely decorative pieces. The drawing, oil and water color ex- hibit was not as large as usual, because, of course, the size of our class has been, like many other things, affected by the war. But this has had nothing to do with the quality of work shown, compar- ed with the first work of the year, a clear advance has been made in stronger draw- ing and cleaner color. But we hope there has been accomp- lished what is more important than things seen ; that greater appreciation of the truly beautiful, that keener, broader and more sympathetic view of life, that turning away from the merely ma- terial to the high culture of heart and mind toward which we believe the study cf the eitH tends. THE ART STUDENT IN CANADA. The student of art in Canada has both advantages and disadvantages in the way to assist and retard the progress in art. In the line of disadvantages there is the lack of fine museums housing good ex- amples of art to stimulate and control the usually rather wild and impractical ideas of the young art student. A mus- eum such as the South Kensington col- lection is full of suggestion and encour- agement. The examples of so many dif- ferent arts, comprising as it does fine paintings, statuary, stained glass, mos- aics, wood carving, porcelain, and beauti- ful medallion and metal work are very inspiring. The benefit of fine art galler- ies and museums may hardly be over- estimated, and gradually this defect is being remedied in Canada. On the other hand, nature and out- door life in this country are, to most of us, more accessible than to the European art student. Between the fine art museum on the

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vox COLLEGII 25 Music Owing to the rush of the last few weeks, the Musical Club recitals have not been held as regularly. Mr. Atkinson has been spending more of his time with in- dividual pupils, particularly those pre- paring for the June examinations. However, we have had two informal recitals. One was held in the drawing- room, Tuesday, May 18. Misses Mar- guerite Homuth, Annie Tuttle, Marjorie Garlock assisted with the program. At the close Mr. Atkinson gave his usual war summary, in which we were very much interested. Last Wednesday evening, June 9th, we had a most enjoyable time. It was the last night we met together, so we spent the evening playing games. A number of the girls enjoyed an air-ship ride, and they certainly made a desperate leap when they struck the ceiling. As a slight token of appreciation of the interest which Mr. Atkinson has taken in the Musical Club this year, the class presented him with a fountain pen. He has been most generous with his time and his kindly interest in our progress. The teachers and honorary members were present. Ice cream, strawberries, cake and chocolates followed, and it was quite late when we broke up our party, but we left in good spirits, having spent a very delightful evening. The music examinations were held on Friday, June 4th. The Senior girls did well, as we expected they would, after all the hard work they had done. The gold medal for -piano was won by Miss Aurelia Meath, and we all think she de- served it. Congratulations! ' ' Eeally. ' Miss Marguerite Homuth did wonder- fully well, and carries off the gold medal in vocal. We hardly expected so much from her with only two years ' work, but we have some idea now what she can do, and we hope she will have as great suc- cess in everything she undertakes as she had here at 0. L. C. Invitations were issued for a piano re- cital on Thursday evening, June 10th, given by the pupils of Miss Kate Wright. Miss Wright ' s friends from town turn- ed out in goodly numbers, and at eight o ' clock a long procession of college girls entered the concert hall. The evening was successful in every way, and we are sorry to know that this will probably be the last of Miss Wright ' s very pleasant entertainments at the College, since she is leaving our midst this year. It is with deep regret that we part from Miss Wright, but we hope that the future will hold for her a very large store of success and happiness. Miss Ada Kichardson, a former graduate of the College, assisted by two vocal numbers, and little Helena Richardson, from the town, presented the basket of Richmond Roses and ferns which was intended to show the gratitude and affection that all Miss Wright ' s pu- pils feel for her. PROGRAM. Miss Wrighfs Recital, ua, Danse des Ondes Pieczonka Miss Mary Pearce. Valse Elegante - - Nolck Miss Freda Pennal. Schmetterling - - Greig Miss Edna Wakefield. Sous Bois - - Victor Stand Miss- Edith Reedy. Capricante - Paul Wachs Miss Hazel Collins. Menuet - - Aug. Be Boeck Miss Helen McCrimmon. Barcarolle Venitienne - Godard Miss Carrie Howard. Serenade for two pianos Jos. Low Miss Georgina Smith and Miss Gladys Hart. Evening Star Song (Tannhauser, Wagner) Liszt Miss Margaret McCrimmon. Rondo in C, op. 51, No. 1 Beethoven Miss Francies Campbell. Prelude C. sharp minor Rachmaninoff Miss Gladys Hart. On Wednesday evening, June 9th, a

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vox COLLEGII 27 one hand and the easy access to open air and nature study on the other, the latter is vastly to be preferred in the formation of an original and native art. The museum student has a great tend- ency to be overawed by the many excel- lent examples of art that confront him or lier on every side, and to take refuge in the rather easy way of copying and ad- apting from others, instead of going out to nature and boldly attacking the prob- lem at first hand as the best artists have always done, and by gradually develop- ing the ability to dream and design with natural objects as themes, a more per- sonal and individual style is developed, and the studies and sketches made in this way are usually more interesting. Flowers and plant forms are excellent subjects for sketches, and almost insensi- bly the student learns to design and to dream accurately. Animals are usually considered more difficult, as they are liable to move, but this very liability of movement and ob- serving the change of form which takes place are very educative. It requires patience to begin all over again every few minutes, but in this way the value of the essentials of structure are brought home to the student, and the power of quickly seizing the main thing is grad- ually acquired. The lead pencil is a most valuable medium for this kind of study as it is so handy with a sketch pad or note book, in which also written notes are useful to assist the memory in refer- ence. Eemarks may be made in such a book on the weather, the season, the time of day, the color of objects and general ' observations on the complex things which a beginner finds difficulty in represent- ing pictorially. These notes of themsel- ves after a while will constitute a diary of great interest and suggestion to the future composure of pictures or orna- mental designs, and even if such are never used practically, they will form in- dividual chapters in your life which will be afterwards prized merely as records. Many a person who finds life in the coun- try to be dull and uninteresting, will in this way open many new channels of en- joyment, practical improvement through the knowledge of nature, animate and in- animate, that is thus acquired. For the student of botany this use of a note book is almost essential, and for the art student it is no less so. Although a good sketch is always to be preferred to a merely written description in this case. To take the place of the art museum we have to-day the phot ographic repro- ductions which are so easily obtainable, and a good scrap book in which maga- zine and newspaper pictures may be pasted, nicely arranged and classified, is also an excellent idea for the young art student, only care must be exercised to have only good work represented. The student must not despise the fam- iliar and native things which surround him or her. These are, in fact, the very best things to draw or to paint, and for- tunately in Canada there are many of sig- nificance, many plants and. animals and birds, domestic and wild, which furnish excellent motives for sketches and de- signs. The very scare-crow in the gar- den is picturesque and worthy of note. The familiar cabbage and pumpkin make excellent subjects, while the horse, cow, dog, cat and canary in the cage are all interesting. During the summer vacation in the country all these things- are about, and the habit of carrying a pencil and note book will be found a ready and conven- ient way of recording the facts of nature, a knowledge of which is the best equip- ment of an artist, always suggestive and inspiring new themes for pictures and designs. T. G-. Oreene. THE ARTIST. He lifts the veil from common things With mystic grace; Holds commune with the souls of trees Or human race. Hears the sweet music of the world With magic key, Unlocks the door and opes the house Of poetry. Katherine a. Clarke.