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Kansas University Weekly.
Exhibition of Painting.
The Art exhibition by Prof. Clarke's students will be held in the Main Building of the University, north tower, Saturday, June 6. The work can be seen to better advantage this year because the study with its lights and shades and the paraphernalia of art aboutit is better in keeping with the exhibit.
The class being a large one, space will not admit of individual mention in every case, but it may be said that each member has done faithful and efficient work, many showing marked talent along certain lines. Our interest however centers in the work of the Seniors and of Mr. W. K. Smith. The latter has been in the class only a short time and has made remarkable progress. He is without doubt a very talented pupil, and under the instruction to be obtained here has a brilliant future before him.
One of the marked features of the Senior class is the strong individuality shown in the work done.
Miss Crew has the happy faculty of putting a reality into her work, particularly in landscape painting, that makes every tree or flower stand out as nature itself. Her brush maybe said to paint with feeling so that you linger over the picture with a sense of satisfaction that is truly pleasing. Mention may also be made of a white chalk drawing done by her, uncommon from its having no outline or shadows.
Miss Riddle, while equally fine in her own way is of a totally opposite style. Her brush work is very vigorous there is a sense of power and force in her work that show future possibilities for the young artist which are certainly encouraging.
Wm. Pollock, the Indian, while lacking somewhat in the delicate and beautiful characteristics of the girls' work, shows a freedom and vigor that is remarkable.
One marked of the feature exhibitis the landscape drawings, which have been taken from the campus and there is probably no school the country that has equal facilities in its surroundings for this kind of work.
On the right side of the studio may be found Mr. Clarke's work, some of which is familiar, such as Dr. Cordley's and Mr. Robinson's portraits, also his later work, among which are prominent "The Black Cat" and "Sustana." These latter received great praise in Kansas City when on exhibition there. It will be readily seen that Prof. Clarke in spite of his
numerous duties has been working with ardor in all the spare moments at his command.
Visitors to the studio will find much to entertain particularly in the humorous sketches. There are also three old masters, two Spanish and Dutchman, all genuine and very fine.
A Glee Club.
WHAT HAS become of our Glee Club? Kansas University has sufficient available material both in instrumentalists and vocalists. Our Fine Arts Department brings out each year a number of good soloists and a great many sweet chorus singers. There seems to be lacking college enthusiasm; and, furthermore, a leader strong and spirited enough to arouse it. If our musical directors could work themselves and the talent about them up to the point of organization, a creditable glee club would be forthcoming every year.
If properly conducted, the club would prove a most effective and economical advertising scheme. It would serve the University, particularly its music department, in the same capacity that athletic contests and exhibitions have heretofore done. Throughout the state it would call for recognition as a worthy University function. Besides offering amusements to both audiences and members, it would furnish an incentive to musical study and aid in musical instruction.
Last year the University seemed to take too little interest in the club. The authorities rather frowned upon its existence and it was this lack of official favor and support more than anything else that demoralized the entire organization. It seems that the best argument for the abandonment of the glee club is that its influence is distracting. Certain students are sure to become enthusiasts who will forget regular class duties in their zeal to become apt candidates for theclub. Yet on the whole the University would be benefited by having a glee club. H.W.S.
Exhibition in Physics Building.
During commencement the physics building will be open for all visitors. Various instruments for electrical measurements, X-ray apparatus and also tools and machines from the shops including one lion lathe, a crank-shaper and the double phase alternating current generator constructed by the seniors of 196, will be on exhibition in the building. Some of the students and assistants operate the machines and explain them to the visitors.