* 



770 The Dorset Arts and Crafts Association. [Nov., 



production is increased in greater proportion. Individual con- 

 tributions to any section of the schedule of articles are admitted 

 from any resident in the county (residence is the only qualifi- 

 cation) , and much that is beautiful is sent. Professional indus- 

 tries also have their place, and serve to advertise work done in 

 the county; pottery, gloves and, occasionally, toys being 

 conspicuous exhibits. 



At first the various awards in the section v^ere competitive, 

 first and second-class certificates being offered, but it was 

 found that this system was impracticable when there was a 

 large number of exhibits. The Association therefore adopted 

 the Home Arts Association's principle of merely awarding a 

 certificate of merit to articles which attained a certain standard. 

 A high standard was required, but when it was not quite 

 reached " commended " cards were allow^ed occasionally, 

 where the judges considered that some recognition was deserved. 

 It is a condition of the Association that no member is eligible 

 to teach in the industry she wishes to take* up unless she Lli 

 gained an award at an Exhibition. 



At the outbreak of war, several of the boys' and men's 

 classes were necessarily suspended, and difficulty has been 

 experienced in resuming them, owing to the large increase in 

 cost of raw material. In time, however, it is hoped that some 

 of the difficulties may be overcome. The birth of the 

 " Women's Institute " movement"^ during the War provided 

 a fresh outlet for co-operative work, the objects of these Insti- 

 tutes being to a certain extent similar to those of the Arts and 

 Crafts Association. They have their own instructors " in the 

 various forms of handicraft, and have sent much good work to 

 the Dorset Arts and Crafts Exhibition; chiefly toys, rush work 

 and gloves. The qualification of the Instructors consists in their 

 work having received distinctive notice from the judges at the 

 Arts and Crafts Exhibition. 



By means of the annual Exhibition members are able to 

 see the result of the year's work. Different centres are chosen 

 every year, so as to stimulate local interest as much as possible. 

 The Exhibitions have been held for fourteen consecutive years 

 since the inception of the Association, and during the War a 

 special " Eed Cross " stall was included, containing the work 

 of wounded soldiers. In 1917 Her Majesty the Queen presented 

 an " American home canner " to the Dorset Arts and Crafts 



* Notes on Women's Institutes have appeared in this Journal, January, 1917, 

 p. 966, October, 1918, p. 827, December, 1919, p. 939, and June, 1920, p. 206. 



