Vol. VII, No. 2 
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 
June 1905 
HILE the designs submitted for the 
niushroom plate were on the average 
verj^ good, the curious point in these 
competitions is that, as a rule, the 
best designs are accompanied by the 
poorest color schemes or vice versa. 
The designs awarded first and second 
prize, while not poor in color, yet 
were not as good in that respect as 
those submitted by Alice Woodman, 
Russell Goodwin or Sabella Randolph which show more the 
influence of studjr of good Japanese prints either at first or 
second hand. The first prize was in two shades of a dull salmon, 
simplicity and fine spacing made this the most acceptable, the 
refined proportions of the border suggesting a most dainty 
table service. The second prize in pale apple green and grey 
was very Japanesque in effect but the eye w^as attracted to 
the decorative unit too much; if the dark in stems had not 
been so pronounced the whole effect would have been better. 
Prizes for this month's competition. Subject — Design 
for Mushroom Plate: ist Prize, Hannah Overbeck; 2nd Prize, 
Mary Overbeck. 
Mentions — Alice Woodman, Harriette Burton, Alice Joslin, 
Russell Goodwin, Sabella Randolph, Austin Rosser. 
The color schemes submitted bj' Alice Woodman were very 
fine and rich, especialty for the designs not illustrated. The 
plate receiving mention would have been finer if the radiating 
lines had been more nearly perpendicular to the center and if 
the panels containing the decorative unit had been separated 
by a wider empty panel. The color scheme called for mush- 
rooms in a soft grey, underside dull orange, edge and dividing 
lines green with darker outlines. 
The design submitted by Miss Burton was in grey blues, 
the darkest dark, however, w^as too strong and the slightly 
w4iirling motion was not restful. 
Miss Joshn's plate was fine in spacing and proportions but 
the motif was lost entirely and the resulting ornament not 
particularly attractive. The design by Russell Goodwin was 
beautifully executed and accompanied bj' a fine color 
scheme in soft warm browns, but the design was too intricate 
and crowded and contained too manj^ different decorative units. 
Miss Randolph's design was good in color and interesting in 
treatment but too hea\n,r. Miss Rosser succeeded in making a 
quaint and original design, which, however, verges on the 
eccentric. Her color schemes are not as good as her designing 
or execution. 
The subject for the October competition closing August 
15th will be a decorative design for a tobacco jar. Subject: 
the flower of the Nicotiana, or tobacco-plant. 
We are showing in this issue the interesting work of Miss 
Maud Mason's class in design. It is difficult to say which pupil 
shows the most talent, perhaps the work of Miss Walsh shows 
the most originality. The color schemes in many instances 
were quite fine. Unfortunatety some of the studies were on 
rough paper, which the brush does not cover thoroughly, leav- 
ing white spots which are accentuated in the engraving, and 
the reproduction of the finest studj^ on such paper is bound 
to he unsatisfactory. Other studies were on tissue paper 
pasted on board. This also is difficult to reproduce. The best 
engravings are made from original studies on smooth board. 
As we are limited for space owing to exhibition notes, etc., 
a part of this work will have to be shown in the following 
number of Keramic vStudio. 
Miss Mason teaches her pupils to apply their designs to 
embroidery and other mediums beside ceramics, believing in 
the widening influence of general study. Special attention is 
called to Miss Masoii's stiidj' of tansj' and its application to 
the vase on exhibition at the National Arts Club. 
^ If 
EXHIBITION OF THE NEW YORK SOCIETY 
That the New York Society has scored its greatest artistic 
triumph in its last exhibit at the National Arts Club, there 
can be no doubt whatever. Everywhere was heard the judg- 
ment of the cognoscenti that the exhibit was the most har- 
monious, creditable and attractive ever seen. There was not 
a discordant note either in color or design; the onlj^ criticism 
one could make was that so few comparatively contributed, 
twenty-two members of the Society only being represented. 
It was also unfortunate that no prices could be put in the 
catalogue, as many sales were thus lost to the Societ3^ How- 
ever, now that the Society has been placed upon a higher plane 
in the estimation of art critics bj^ its showing at the National 
Arts, it is in a position to hold its next exhibit at some gallery 
where the prices may figure in the catalogue and the Society 
reap a financial as w-ell as an artistic success. The jury did its 
dut\' nobly and though doubtless some pieces of merit were 
thrown out, no one could reasonably find fault, seeing the artistic 
unitj^ in the result. Much credit was due to Mr. Belknap for the 
thoroughness with which everything was cared for, and to Mrs. 
Leonard for having steered the Society safeh" into the haven 
where it should be. 
Nothing can give our readers a better idea of the reception 
accorded to this latest effort of the Society than the foUowuig 
excerpts from press notices, which are fair specimens of what 
was written on ever^^ side by newspapers, magazines, etc. 
The gallery at the National Arts Club is now occupied by an e.xhibition 
of pottery and textiles under the auspices of the \ew York Society of Kera- 
mic Art. The standard is higher than in any former exhibition, and is a long 
step forward from all previous ones. All the societies belonging to the Na- 
tional League of Mineral Painters have recently been working out the same 
problems tending to improvement in form, design and color of every article 
worthy of decoration. This exhibition will be sent from New York to Chicago, 
where the National League will hold its annual exhibition next month, when 
an opportunity will be given to compare the work of the various branches. 
Particularly good, both in color and design, is the AA^ork of Marshal Fry, 
who, besides several large pieces, shows a group of small bowls, each being 
individual in treatment. Designs by some of Mr. Fry's pupils at Teachers 
College are also interesting because they show that decoration is now being 
taught seriously, and that we are getting away from amateurish work. A 
case of porcehiins by Mrs. Robineau, of Syi-acuse, contains some very wonder- 
ful pieces, where she has succeeded in securing the crystallizations similar to 
those produced recently at the famous Sevres factory in France. As an ex- 
ample of the practical side of this work, there are door-knobs that it is a pleas- 
ure to handle. — Miss Florence Levy in Art Bulletin. 
Above exhibition was held in the beautifully appointed reception rooms 
of the National Arts Club at 37 West Thirty-fourth street. New York City, 
