KERAMIC STUDIO 
•7 
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF MINERAL PAINTERS 
Mrs. Worth Osgood 
^few years ago when the interest in American 
keramics was not so widespread and compre- 
hensive as it is to-day, a number of devoted 
porcelain painters combined in an effort to 
give greater impetus to the founding of a 
distinctively American School of Keramic Art. Believing that 
a higher place for keramics could only be won through artists 
imbued with a love of country, and realizing that it is a patri- 
otic obligation as well as privilege to arouse and foster the 
national element, these loyal promoters succeeded in combin- 
ing the forces of local keramic clubs scattered throughout the 
country into a federation known as the National League of 
Mineral Painters. 
This was in 1892, just prior to the World's Fair. The 
desire to show the world that American mineral painters were 
doing creditable work and the opportunity that the exposition 
offered for comparing and studying the characteristics of 
widely separated clubs, served to stimulate the purpose of 
those ready to fall into line and assist in raising the standard 
of American keramics. Since the Fair annual exhibitions have 
been held, notably those in Atlanta, Cincinnati and New York. 
These exhibitions have proved a most important factor 
in demonstrating the possibilities of American pottery and 
American decoration in substituting breadth for narrowness 
and in eliminating artificial borrowings of foreign decorations. 
A notable feature in the exhibitions of the last two years is the 
adaptation of American history and life, to the decorated wares. 
One artist-potter, to whom the federation owes much in 
the matter of encouragement, has used to fine advantage the 
legends of Sleepy Hollow and stirring scenes of the Revolu- 
tion. Another aspiring young man gives us from time to time 
sketches of ranch life so familiar through the illustrations and 
writings of Frederic Remington and Theodore Roosevelt. 
Joel Chandler Harris' " Brer Rabbit" stories furnished one 
artist with material for a quaint series of sketches. Occasion- 
ally a plantation character sketch looks out at you suggesting 
possibilities in unexplored fields. 
The North American Indian has contributed rather more 
than his share of decoration, and is now being supplanted by 
military and naval heroes of the war. 
The League has just entered upon its third triennial 
which includes the period of the Paris International exhibi- 
tion. One needs but to note this, to comprehend the deep 
significance of the unusual activity and interest manifested by 
the allied clubs. 
The annual comparative exhibition for 1899 will take 
place in Chicago, commencing on May 17th. 
A congress of members representing the federation will 
be held during this exhibition. The work for the coming year 
will be mapped out and counsel taken as to means and oppor- 
tunities for augmenting the usefulness of the National League 
of Mineral Painters. 
The organizations represented in the League are: 
New York Society of Keramic Arts. 
Chicago Ceramic Association. 
Mineral Art League of Boston. 
Wisconsin Keramic Club. 
Brooklyn Society of Mineral Painters. 
Detroit Keramic Art Club. 
Jersey City Keramic Art Club. 
Louisville Keramic Club. 
Bridgeport League of Keramic Art. 
Columbus Ceramic Club. 
Providence Keramic Club. 
Denver Pottery Club. 
In order to be able to look over the whole field of work 
and to make the attainment of League aims more rapid and 
efficient a system of circular letters was devised and the 
schedule for each allied club sent out September 1st. 
The advantages of personal communication afforded by 
this chain of letters must certainly appeal to all. Surely no 
club needs to be urged to use its opportunity in this direction. 
SCHEDULE FOR MAY. 
New York Society of Keramic Arts replies to Denver ; sends to Bridgeport it s 
April letter from Denver. 
Chicago Ceramic Association receives Providence letter. 
Mineral Art League of Boston receives Louisville letter from Providence. 
Wisconsin Keramic Club recieves reply from Jersey City ; sends to Detroit 
its May letter from Jersey City, 
Brooklyn Society of Mineral Painters receives Wisconsin letter from Jersey 
City. 
Detroit Keramic Art Club receives Jersey City letter from Wisconsin. 
Jersey City Keramic Art Club replies to Wisconsin ; sends to Brooklyn its 
April letter from Wisconsin. 
Louisville Keramic Club receives reply from Providence ; sends to Chicago 
its May letter from Providence. 
Bridgeport League of Keramic Art receives Denver letter from New York. 
Columbus Ceramic Club receives New York letter from Denver. 
Providence Keramic Club replies to Louisville ; sends to Boston its April 
letter from Louisville. 
Denver Pottery Club receives reply from New York ; sends to Columbus its 
May letter from New York. 
Another line of usefulness along which League efforts 
have been promoted and which also serves as a means to the 
end is the course of study issued yearly by the Educational 
Committee. Following is a synopsis of subjects for 1898 and 
1899: 
Mrs. Worth Osgood, President, 
402 Madison Street, 
Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Mes. L. Vance Phillips. 
Ch'in Educational Committee, 
32 East 58th St.. New York. 
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF MINERAL PAINTERS. 
SUBJECTS FOR ORIGINAL TREATMENT. 
Flow 
■ers. 
Orn 
aments. 
Figures. Ef 
mdsc 
apes. 
% 
Dog\ 
rood 
Studies 
of Japanese Lines. 
z 
A 
National Mi 
live for Frieze Sect 
on. 
ft 
Combine 
flowers 
< 
of thre 
of trees 
2 species 
Char 
tefer Sketches. 
At the present moment much interest is evinced in this 
progressive movement by unassociated bodies. Many times 
this year has the National League been called upon to answer 
this question, " How do you benefit us?" 
A comprehensive answer to this question requires more 
space than remains at my command ; but by assuming another 
point of view and looking at the benefits you can give to the 
federation you may find sufficient suggestions for the solution; 
you can add power to an institution which stands for higher 
conditions; you can aid in arranging a sphere of work which 
will bring to us the realization of the ideals for which we are 
striving; you can stimulate the energies of the united clubs 
by entering the lists, and measuring your strength with theirs 
on a friendly field; and the history of those efforts and 
achievements will redound to the honor of your city, your 
club and yourself long after the need of a League of Mineral 
Painters has passed awav. 
