RERAMIC STUDIO 
99 
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF MINERAL PAINTERS 
The study course presented to the Board by Miss Perry 
was unanimously accepted. All, who are giving this matter 
serious attention, believe it to be another step forward. We 
moved Miss Perrj^ a vote of thanks. 
In the effort to explain all details, to simplifj^ and condense 
matters, so that no time should be lost, to cover all official 
needs, in changing offices to the West, one mistake of impor- 
tance was made. Seven, instead of six, members were provided 
for the Advisory Board. Mrs. Perley of San Francisco, Cal., 
was elected and failed to receive notice. 
The League is particularly happj^ in having a Board 
member on the Pacific coast just now, as an application 
already has been forwarded to Portland, Oregon, to exhibit at 
the Lewis & Clark Centennial. We did not hesitate to urge 
this exhibition at the Board meeting, because of the number of 
regrets received, both verbally and in writing, regarding our 
failure to exhibit at St. Louis. This, we call a pro\'idential 
opportunity of retrieval. The success or failure of our exhibi- 
tions rest upon each member individually. 
It was further voted, at our Board meeting, to hold our 
travelling exhibition, to invite the chairmen of committees to 
be guests at the regular Advisory Board meetings, and to hold 
those meetings on the 3rd Friday of everj^ month, at three 
o'clock P. M. at the Art Institute. All distant league mem- 
bers, visiting our citj^ are invited to attend. 
Belle B. Vesey, 
Grace P. McMurtry, President. 
Corresponding Secretary, 6927 Normal ave., Chicago. 
STUDY COURSE 
To 
Problem i — Outline drawing for tea cup and saucer, 
be manufactured and named after or by the designer. 
Prob. 2 — Design for 6x6 inch tile. 
To be carried out in water color; in overglaze decoration, 
or executed in the clay. 
Prob. 3 — ^Jar — ^with or without cover. 
To be built of clay bj^ hand , thrown on a wheel or made in 
a moidd. With or without glaze or ornamentation. 
Prob. 4 — Ten inch plate — plain with rim. 
Prob. 5 — Bowl — 6 inch diameter, to be made from a 
League design. 
Prob. 6 — Tile or porcelain slab, 9 x 12 inches. 
Prob. 7 — Vase — Cylindrical, to be made from a League 
design. 
Mary Chase Perry, 
Chairman Com. of Education. 
The j^ear's work of the N. L. M. P. will consist of a study 
course of seven parts, beginning with a simple outline drawing 
for a teacup and saucer. There is no more practical demand 
in the realm of ceramics and it is to be hoped that a really 
good shape will result. There is especial need of a good handle, 
taking not only the ornamental possibility into consideration, 
but actual usage as well. 
The next problem is an exercise in design which will hold 
the interest of all classes of workers, as it admits not only 
suggestions in a creative waj^ but also the complete execution 
in either color or plastic clay. 
The third problem is not merely intended for those \\'ho 
are working in pottery, as has been too often inferred, but for 
every student of ceramics. Aside from any fascination which 
the clay itself inay hold, it will pi'ove a strong aid to the un- 
derstanding of and feeling for form. 
The four remaining problems are self-contained and each 
with its own object to present. They offer a field for the 
application of truths which will happity become apparent 
through the mental effort in former study. 
As far as possible, it is the intention to embrace the study 
course as a whole and not merely selecting the part which 
appeals to each individual worker. We are trying to outgrow 
the emotional phase of admiration and interest in decoration 
and to acquire a more intelligent and miderstanding apprecia- 
tion of its finer retiuireraents. Our more wise educators have 
shown that a line of study which necessitates the exercise of 
the mental faculties — causing one to think — is the starting 
point of true development. If one selects constantly to choose 
the shapes or the line of work, which covties most easily to him 
to do, no matter how attractive the results, the educational 
benefit is lost. 
We do not need to exploit special feats of execution nor 
technical specialties, in order "to show off''. That was the 
manner of the yesterdays, when to do one's "best work" meant 
the most elaborate treatment possible, introducing every 
known trick of the art on the saine piece of ware. Now we 
know that one's 'best work" is often — rather always — ^liis 
most simple yet appropriate conception, relying on the thought 
back of it, instead of the fanciful execution of a momentary 
fancy. 
By limiting the number of problems as well as the pieces 
for decoration, the interest is centralized, beside giving greater 
opportunity for comparative benefits. The strong points and 
the weak ones as well, show more clearly if carried out within 
specified limits, so that a helpful stimulus is borne not only to 
those who look upon the final collection, but must perforce 
react upon each worker. In this way the perceptions of every 
ceramist will be opened and his scope broadened and result in 
an unconscious growth. 
Maky Chase Perry. 
Chine.se Bowl in tlie National Museum at Washington, D. C. 
This is a large bowl of pure white K'anghsi porcelain, 
plain inside. On outside a branch of the peach tree with fruit 
and leaves, the latter in all stages from the light green of the 
newly burst leaf to the brown of the withered, and worm-eaten. 
On the branch is seated a bird, termed by the Chinese a 
paroquet, having a red beak, brown breast and green plumage. 
Height of this bowl is 4^ inches; diameter, 8^ inches. 
