RERAMIC STUDIO 
153 
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF MINERAL PAINTERS 
IT is the expectation of the League to enter two departments 
in the St. Louis Exposition next year. A quotation 
from the circular of information, is interesting to the League, 
as this classification was secured by the untiring efforts of our 
former president, Mrs. Worth Osgood. 
The quotation is as follows: 
"The Department of Art of the St. Louis World's Fair has 
adopted a classification arranged upon a much broader plane 
than has been established by former International Expositions. 
In it is involved a recognition of the fact that there should be no 
distinction between what has commonly been considered as 
"Fine art, " and "Industrial art. " All work, whether on can- 
vas, in marble^ plaster, wood, metal, glass, porcelain, textile 
or other material — when the artist-producer has worked with 
conviction and knowledge — is recognized as equalty deserving 
of respect in proportion as it is worthy from the standpoints of 
inspiration and technique. " 
On this basis the Committee makes the following report : 
In the classification of the art works to be exhibited at the 
World's Fair, St. Louis, 1904, the commissioners have made it 
known in their circular that pottery and porcelain will be ad- 
mitted to the Department of Art. 
The jury for the selection of all works to be exhibited in 
this department will meet in New York in January, 1904, so 
that it is absolutely necessary that that portion of the League 
exhibit which is to be installed in the Department of Art, shall 
be in complete readiness by that time. In view of this fact, 
all members of the League are urgently reciuested to prepare 
one or more pieces to present to this jury. The decoration 
must be from original designs. The size and shape to be 
optional with the exliibitor. 
As this is the first occasion that the Mineral Painters of 
this country have had the opportunity to have their work so 
advantageously classified and exhibited, it is hoped that the 
members will fully realize the importance of making an especial 
effort to have ready some really fine pieces to submit. 
Due notice will be given of the time and place of collection . 
Mrs L. Vance Phillips, 
Miss Elizabeth Mason, 
Mrs. W. P. Hibler, 
Committee on St. Louis Exposition. 
The other branches of the exhibit will be drawn from the 
Comparative and Educational course adopted by the League, 
and will be installed in the Liberal Arts Building. 
League Course of Study — Comparative 
Jar No. 505, Ceramic Art Co. 
Pitcher — selected from the League Competition of 1902-3. 
Plate 9i or 10 inches — rim or coupe. 
Decoration may be either naturalistic or conventional, 
but must be original. 
Educational 
Outline drawing of design for cup and saucer, particular 
attention being paid to the handle. 
Jai' — with or without cover; to be modeled, thrown or 
cast. With or without glaze. 
Design for tile, 8 inches square, in black and white, water 
color, or on the tile itself. 
Mary Chase Perry 
Committee. 
J*' 
COMMITTEE REPORT 
Concerning the pitcher which is being manufactured in 
Trenton for the members of the National League for use in the 
study course of 1903-4: 
In last year's course of study, drawings were made for a 
"pitcher form". The one receiving the highest number of 
points fromthe jury was to be manufactured in china and to con- 
stitute one of the problems in overglaze decoration in the study 
for this year. It was so difficult to judge, from a flat drawing, 
ju.st how a form would appear in the actual material, that it was 
decided that a claj^ model should be made in order that all 
points might be definitely considered. Therefore four of the 
best drawings were carried out in the actual clay, and Mr. 
Arthur M. Dow and others of note assisted in the selection and 
further improvement of the best one. 
The first point considered was "proportion" — ^the width 
of the top and bottom and the heighth, also the contour of the 
sides. The second point considered was "practicality ". The 
matter of " pouring well " was looked into, and the convenience, 
strength and line of handle were also studied. The pitcher was 
made to stand well, and thus conformed to the law that an 
article of utility must have so firm a foundation that it cannot 
be easily upset. 
The handle was made to grow out of the construction of the 
form. Through it all the fact was not forgotten that the 
pitcher was to be decorated, therefore as simple and unbroken a 
surface as possible was desirable. 
The Ceramic Art Co., of Trenton, are making the pitchers, 
and promise them to us before the last of October. The pitcher 
is of medium size, holding a little over a quart. The price has 
not yet been fixed, but they soon may be had from the dealers. 
The League has gone to such trouble to place a really 
good form at the disposal of its members that it is to be hoped 
that each one will feel inspired to make a faithful eft'ort to 
study out a suitable and beautiful decoration for it. 
Marshal Fry, 
Ida a. Johnson, Committee. 
President, N. L. M. P. 
■f ^ 
CLUB NOTES 
The Brooklyn Society of Mineral Painters held its first fall 
meeting the seventh of October. The subjects for the season 
are: Arts and Crafts of the American Indians, November; 
Annual exhibit, December; National League course of study, 
January; Exhibit of work in League course, February; Decora- 
tive use of Color, March; Examples of color applied to forms 
chosen for League Exhibit, April; Important porcelains in the 
Metropolitan Museum, Maj^. 
000 
The second meeting of the Kansas City Keramic Club was 
held October 5, at the home of Miss Whitcomb, owing to the 
club rooms not being readj^ for occupancj^. An interesting 
paper on the " Importance of a Good Foundation to a China 
Painter, " was read by Prof. Hupjoert of the Kansas City Art 
vSchool, and a practical paper on enamels by Mrs. Fuller. 
Next month the annual exhibit will be held, which includes 
the Loan exhibit, the exhibit of the National League of Mineral 
Painters, and the individual work done by members of the club. 
Mrs. W. G. Whitcomb, Sec'y. 
