Vol. IX, No. \ 
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 
May, 1907 
HE present issue marks the eighth 
anniversary of Keramic Studio. 
Eight years of endea\ r or to elevate 
the character of china decoration 
throughout the United States; 
eight years of struggle against 
pride and prejudice; eight years 
of gradual approach to the desired 
result. And if at times we have 
not always been able to stick rig- 
idly to our colors, it has not been 
from backsliding, nor from lack of realization of the 
true and the best, but from a fear of retarding our 
progress and that of ceramic decoration by a forcing 
of strong meat upon babes, with a consequently severe 
attack of indigestion. Complaints there have been, here 
and there, of too much favoritism of the conventional 
as opposed to the naturalistic with various more or less 
clever criticisms of occasional designs. However, it has 
been but too evident that the severest criticism came from 
the most ignorant, caustic remarks and very bad spelling 
and grammar usually going hand in hand. The more intelli- 
gent realize that it is "only once in a blue moon" that a 
really perfect design is evolved, the rest we must take for 
the good that is in them and if in reproducing these de- 
signs on porcelain we can improve upon them and elimi- 
nate the poorer parts, well and good. The desired re- 
sult has been obtained, the decorator's mind has been 
stimulated to a little thought. Who knows where that 
may lead ? 
When first the Keramic Studio entered the field, 
the question would come "What shape shall I buy for 
such and such a use, what color shall I use to decorate it, 
what design? How shall I put it on?" And if a design 
were not given the exact size and fitted to the exact shape 
desired and the wished for color scheme not suggested, 
the enquirer was helpless. Now we rarely have such en- 
quiries, there is hardly a decorator but is able to decide 
these points for herself and not only enlarge or make smal- 
ler a design to suit the shape selected, but even to take a 
design drawn for plate and fit it to a pitcher, or to adapt a 
vase design to a bowl, and what is more to the purpose, 
not a few have found, by thus being forced to think out 
these points, that they have in themselves a latent ability 
to design. A few carping critics have thought it wise to 
ridicule many designs appearing from time to time in Ker- 
amic Studio, under the general characterization of "childish" 
"Noah's Ark" "Amateurish." We are sure that some day 
the lesson will sink deep into their soul and they will real- 
ize that the publishing of those same simple attempts at 
design has produced a threefold benefit; first, to the de- 
signer who is stimulated to follow up the road he has en- 
tered; second, to the decorator whose mind is aroused to 
the thought "I can do as well as that" and to the attempt 
to realize the thought; and, "thirdly and lastly, " as the old 
sermonists had it, and "bestly" we would add, whether 
stimulated to design or not, the several thousands of cera- 
mic decorators who turn over the pages of Keramic Studio, 
consciously or unconsciously imbibe the underlying truths 
in these designs. And so the standard of taste is raised; 
the average work is better, the workers and their public 
are better satisfied with each other and the good work 
goes on. 
The present issue of the work of Marshal Fry and 
members of his Bridgeport class well illustrates the point 
we have made. It may be that this class has an average 
intelligence higher than ordinary, but we doubt not that 
many such classes could be formed all over the United 
States which, starting under the right direction, on the 
common ground of a desire to know and do the best in them, 
could in a comparatively short time develop astonishing 
indivuality and taste with accompanying ability to express 
their aroused ideas and latent talent. 
The American mind is appreciative and quick to grasp 
an idea when properly presented, and once started on the 
path of search does not need Diogene's lantern to cast light 
upon the truth, but develops quickly a selective quality, 
casts aside the unnecessary and untrue and in time will 
evolve a pure and American school of design and decoration. 
STUDIO NOTES 
Owing to the delay in Mr. Fry's return from Europe, 
his New York studio will remain closed. Upon Mr. Fry's 
arrival he will go directly to Southampton, Long Island, 
for the summer. He will instruct a class at Southampton 
during six weeks, July 2nd to August 13th. His plans for 
the autumn and winter, not having been formulated, will 
be made known later. 
Mr. F. B. Aulich sailed for Europe on the nth of 
April for rest and recreation. Will return in July for the 
summer classes. 
000 
Mr. C. F. Hamann, instructor at Pratt Institute, 
Brooklyn, and Miss Emily F. Peacock will have a special 
five weeks course in the making of jewelry and carving in 
shell and horn at Miss Peacock's studio, 232 E. 27th St. 
New York City, commencing July 1st, providing that a 
sufficient number of applications are sent in before June 
15th. Classes will be held five mornings of each week from 
8 130 till 12 :3c Terms on application. 
EXHIBITION NOTES 
The Exhibition of the New York Society of Keramic 
Arts was opened at the galleries of the National Arts Club, 
Gramercy Park, New York, Thursday evening, April 4th. 
A detailed and illustrated account will be given in the June 
issue of Keramic Studio. 
CLASS ROOM COMPETITION— CLOSES MAY I, 1907 
The next subject for the Class Room will be "Flower 
Painting," under which heading will be included the sub- 
divisions: Roses, white, pink, and crimson; Violets; Daffo- 
dils; Nasturtiums; Geraniums; Pansies; Forget-me-nots. 
Other flowers, white, pink, crimson, violet, purple, blue, 
yellow, orange and red. Miniature flowers. See particu- 
lars on editorial page of April issue. 
Extra prize, $10.00; First prize, $5.00; Second prize, 
$4.00; Third prize, $3.00; Fourth prize, $2.00; Fifth prize, 
$1.00; Extracts only, 50 cents 
