Vol. VI, No. i 
SYRACUSE NEW YORK 
May J 904 
F the four problems for this Spring's 
Competition the first two seem to 
have been comparatively well un- 
derstood, and the designs sent in 
were, on the whole, charming and 
showed a marked advance over 
former competitive work. The tile 
problem however, has not yet Ijeen 
grasped, and we shall make it a 
feature of our next competition, giving in the meantime some 
good examples by way of instruction. Mr. Hugo Frochlicli 
kindly consented to act as final judge of the designs. 
The flower subject for the August class room will be the 
Dandelion, drawings of which, by Mrs. Paist, are given in this 
numljer; as it is so common a flower, all can make their own 
studies from which to design. Work must be sent in by June 15. 
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF MINERAL PAINTERS 
ABOUT a year ago the chairman of Education, Miss Mary 
Chase Perry, prepared the plan for the work of this 
3'ear, which was practical^ a continuation and development of 
what had gone before. 
The work of the previous two jears, as exemplified and 
illustrated in the travelling exhibitions, elicited a great deal of 
ititerest, and there was a well-founded hope that the fuller 
fruition of all these efforts would be shown in the collection to 
be sent to the St. Louis Exposition. These pieces reached New 
York last week, and when they were displayed the members of 
the Advisorjr Board were confronted with a most serious prob- 
lem, for out of the small number sent, but nineteen were marked 
\)Y the Judges. Nineteen pieces, no matter of however high an 
order of merit, did not seem to make a sufficiently dignified 
exhibit for as large an organization as the National League of 
Mineral Painters^ and at a special meeting it was unanimously 
voted to give up the exhibition; the feeling being that the 
League could better stand the criticism of having no exhibition, 
rather than that of an inadequate representation. 
When put face to face with such a situation, we felt it 
necessary to search for the explanation. Several letters have 
been received from the clubs, showing no diminution of interest, 
but ciuite the reverse, and giving as partial reasons for the small 
number of pieces, sent, sickness of several members and in one 
case, the injury of some pieces in the last firing. 
The impetus which the studj^ of design has given to a 
higher standard, allover the country, lias made many diffident 
about attempting work in a new and ])erhaps untried line. We 
feel that this really accounts for the non-representation of 
many, and we believe it the most important factor in the causes 
for the smallness of the exhibit. 
\Miile we feel that the clubs have not done their duty 
either to themselves or the League, yet we believe that there 
will be a readiness to attack the next year's worlf which may 
prove a partial recompense for the disappointment of this. 
The members Jof the Board and committees have given 
many daj^s of thought and labor for uiore than a year, and it 
seems a matter of chagrin that so much eft'ort should go for 
naught, but if the club conscience shall l^e stirred to greater 
activity- we .shall be content. 
Tlie tri-ennial election of officers will take place May 5, at 
10 A. M., at the National Arts Club, 34th vStreet, New York, 
to which all members of the League are cordially invited. 
Mrs. Bella B. Vesey, President of the Chicago Club, has 
been nominated for President of the League. The active con- 
duct of the League has always been carried on in the East, and it 
seems only a proper tribute to Western enterprise, as we know 
it, to transfer the centre of activity to Chicago. 
Ida a. Johnson, 
yVpril II, 1904. President. 
^ If 
THE AUTUMN COMPETITION 
Problem 1 — Dado m tiles for child's room, to be executed 
in two to five colors. This calls for a small drawing giving 
three repeats of border motif and whatever design is used 
below; a working color drawing of the tiles carrying the de- 
sign ; a careful study in black and white, line or wash drawing, 
of the motif used — both naturalistic and conventional — i. e., 
a careful drawing of the natural aspect of the subject, with the 
seijarate parts available for design, accompanied by all the 
conventionalizations of the same which suggest themselves as 
tuotifs. First Prize, $15.00. Second Prize, $10.00. 
Problem II — Fireplace and ITearth for child's room, to be 
executed in two to five colors. This calls for either a border 
and repeat or a design which occupies the space allotted. A 
small drawing of the entire fireplace and hearth must be sub- 
mitted, together with a working drawing in color of the tiles 
forming the design. The same to be accompanied bj? drawings 
of motif as in Problem I. First Prize, $15.00. Second Prize, 
$10.00. 
Problem III — Window box in tiles, to be executed in 
two to five colors. This calls for a working drawing in colors of 
tiles carrying design and a small drawing of window box com- 
plete. To be accompanied Idj^ drawings of motif as in prob- 
lem I. First Prize, $10.00. Second Prize, $5.00. 
Problem IV^ —Tile design for teapot or flower pot stand, 
in two to five colors, accompanied by treatment over or under- 
glaze. First Prize, $6.00. Second Prize, $4.00. 
Problem V — Child's set of three pieces, Plate, Bowl and 
Pitcher or Mug; or washbowl, pitcher and rectangular tray. 
To be executed in two to five colors, and accompanied by 
drawings as in Problem I. First Prize, $20.00. Second Prize, 
$10.00. 
The Jury reserves the right to withdraw any prize for 
which there is no sufficiently worthy design. 
OPEN TO everyone 
No one is excluded — Non-subscribers, foreigners, former 
prize-winners, are eligible. Mark with fictitious name or sign, 
same to be on envelope enclosing name and address of compet- 
itor. 
Competition closes October 15th, 1904. Designs must not 
be traceable to any existing pattern. All work should be 
mailed flat. Designs receiving mention will be considered 
for purchase. 
