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Art Education In The Public Schools Of Ann Arbor

Art Education In The Public Schools Of Ann Arbor image
Parent Issue
Day
3
Month
February
Year
1886
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

In geueral education and culture the claims of art education are practical and important. Art education to be successfully taught in public schools should be taught by one qualifled, possessing energy and love for the work. The writer having given considerable attentlon to this branch of study and the Interest taken in it, and the method fcr teaching in the MTeral ward schools of the city, believes that the attention of the parenU should be called to the fact that much credit is due to the present teacher, Miss Alice L. Hunt of Mass., for important chances and iniprovements in thlsdepartment. Contrary to previous years Miss Hunt has introduced drawing in the primary classes of the first and second grade, slie believes this to be an essential feature in that it trains the hand and eye and the children becorae accustomed to use of the pencil and materials, thus enabliug thein to enter the higher grades at a much more advanced stage and better prepared for the work. In this grade drawing from objects, is taken up in a simple way they are taught the names of the lines and led to discover surfaces, corners and edges of solids. These primary classes are much interested and enjoy their work. The principal changes she has introduced In the higher grades is the study of construction, or that of making working drawings, a course of exercises based on what is known as the "tíhop Method." She is also giving more instruction in drawing from models and objects, and the study of proportions than has heretofore been thecustoin. This is a chnnge in the riglit direction. It is Miss Hunt's ambition to instruct her pupils in a manner which will enable them to execute in wood from these working drawings, thus rendering their education of practical value. Miss Hunt is triving to inipress upon her pupils Ibe inmortalice of neatness, thorougbnoss and care in their work, belleving that to draw well simply is not so requisite a feature as training them to tlmik and see. Even if 110 direct industrial use were to be made of this education by half of those whu receive it, the intelligence, the sensitiveness, and the habits of accurate thinking developed by It are needed by every human beiug, everv day of his life. It is Mii-H Hunt's intention to have a public exhibitie! of the work of her pupils in the early spring. Thisghould bean incentive to encourage them to excel in their work. I believe Miss Hunt possesses a thorough knowledge of the principies requi8ite for her work, and a person admirably adapted toimpart it to her pupils, and congratúlate th city on their good fortune in employing a teacher so competpnt to flll this highly important positlon ia its schools. Artist. The Ypsilanti Sentinel feels bad because the muuificent gifts of the Lewis art. gallery and Roger'scasts, modela, etc., cali for the erection of a newart huil, and asserts tliat the state cannot afford to accept such gifts, but better buy what they want outright. Oh, pshaw! It is doubtful if the Sentinel man himself believes whüt he saya. But he has so accustonied himself to growüng at the,good fortune of the university that it has become second nature to hitn. As the editor himself is a man of more than ordinary ability and education, we believe there is no man in the state who would appreciate the privilege of lookinjf upon these grand pictures, statucs, etc., more thau he. So turn in, liro. Woodruft',and lend your influence to an enterprise that will Uelp build up, mould and reflne the character of the rising generalion, which is so soon to crowd us off the active stage and take from us the pens with which public sentiment is in a large degree formed. Help build up, don't pull down. The old desk that was placed in the old jail in 1833, was presented to the county pioneer eociety yesterday, by the jail building commlttee.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Courier
Old News