KERAMIC STUDIO 
229 
Alice Hadley and Mrs. T. B. Adams Vice-Presidents, Mrs. O. 
C. Wilcox Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Woodsmall Record- 
ing Secretary and Mrs. Williams Welch Treasurer. 
The Duquesne Club of Pittsburg gave its annual exhibi- 
tion the first week in February at the Carnegie galleries. 
The Jersey City Keramic Art Club held its last meeting 
at the home of Mrs. James Ervvin, one of the members. After 
the business meeting Miss Thiers read a paper relating her 
experiences of a "China hunt" through New Jersey. This 
was interestingly described, and she said that many interest- 
ing pieces were still to be obtained in spite of the frequent 
explorations of the relic hunters, The china to be criticised 
at this meeting was the work of the members, each one having 
decorated a nut bowl. First prize was given to Miss Nora Fos- 
ter, and honorable mention to Mrs. Erwin and Mrs. Browne. 
The Brooklyn Society of Mineral Painters held its regular 
meeting February 7th at the residence of Mrs. W. H. Phillips, 
and was well attended. The subject of the day was, "History 
and Development of Keramics and Painting." Miss Montfort 
was chairman of the day and made a pleasing address, followed 
by a very delightful talk on the exhibitions of the season. 
We have received such an interesting letter from the 
Secretary of the Chicago Ceramic Association (Mrs. I. C. Long) 
that we publish extracts from it, knowing that the educational 
features will be of interest to other clubs. 
" A meeting was called January 6th, to arrange for a study class during 
the rest of the season at the Art Institute under Prof. Millet, instructor in de- 
signing. The instruction will include the study of organic ornament in its 
various phases : 
That having geometric forms for its basis, and that which consists of 
conventionalized plant forms. 
The various effects obtained by analogy and contrast, by individual repe- 
tition in series. 
The decorative use of colors and their harmony will be carefully consid- 
ered. 
There will also be a course of study under Mr. John Hasburg,the profes- 
sional china decorator and expert keramist, upon the practical application of 
conventional designs to keramics and the tools and appliances used ; the prop- 
erties of painting, grounding and tinting oils; eradicators of various kinds, 
how made and used; application of gold, bronzes, lustres etc., mixing flux- 
ing and matting colors and all practical instruction pertaining to keramic 
decoration. 
The class opens February 3rd and will work in black and white in the 
morning, applying the same to china in the afternoon. 
We hope this is a step in the right direction, and trust the efforts made 
by our president and officers will close the studios on Saturdays, so that all 
may receive benefit from the Saturday classes at the Art Institute. 
The club is growing in size, and this study class seems to be a much 
needed help to all keramic workers; and the interest of the Art Institute in 
the efforts of the decorators will be of untold benefit, if rightly taken and used. 
There is more than the usual enthusiasm shown in the venture by all 
members of the club. 
The name of the club has been changed to "Chicago Ceramic Art As- 
sociation " and about twenty new names have been added. The next meet- 
ing will be held March 3rd at the Art Institute." 
♦ 
TN THE Mrs. Filkins of Buffalo, so well known as 
STUDIOS 1<ee P in S tlie largest, most varied and artistic 
line of white china in western New York, is 
now slowly convalescing from an illness of six weeks' duration. 
We are hoping soon to see her in New York, as she promises 
us a visit when fully recovered. 
Mr. E. Aulich has returned from abroad and is now busy 
in his studio in the Hartford building, New York. Mr. 
Aulich has some of his work, both in water color and china, 
now on exhibition at M. T. Wynne's, 65 East Thirteenth 
street, where one may see the real beauty of his coloring. 
Miss Pearl Waneta Phelps held a studio reception on the 
19th at The Princeton, Brooklyn. 
Mr. Marshal Fry leaves his studio for a few months to 
travel abroad, where he will pursue his out-door work in Spain 
and Holland, and then visit the Paris Exhibition. 
Mrs. Mary Alley Neal will close her studio in April and 
expects to do some work in Italy and then settle in Paris for 
the summer. 
Many of the keramists will visit Paris during the summer, 
and they will find the League exhibit the common point of 
interest. 
♦ 
TN THE We have had our attention called so many 
cu/vps t ' mes to tne f act that china painters are still 
wasting their time rubbing down sticks of 
India ink and drawing on china with a brush, that we take 
the opportunity of telling our readers how much more con- 
venient it is to have a fine Spencerian pen and a bottle of 
Higgins' India ink, already prepared. The saving of labor 
and time is incalculable, the ink always the right consistency 
and ready for use, and the pen making a firm black line. We 
would advise all to use this method who have not already 
tried it. 
Dealers tell us that there is more of a demand now than 
ever for English china, as it is claimed that the French or 
German is more brittle. However this may be, it is almost 
impossible to secure the undecorated English china, and even 
then it is extremely difficult to fire it. Our decorators should 
make it a point to interview some of the importers, and to 
experiment with the firing of this ware. 
The choicest plates have the designs only upon the rims. 
The new style oyster plates are becoming very popular. 
Plates with a narrow turquoise blue band and a mono- 
gram of gold and turquoise enamel on the rim, make delight- 
fully refined and elegant service plates. 
In some of the auction rooms this season, historical plates 
have sometimes brought much lower prices than at the regu- 
lar shops, but as a rule rare old porcelains bring enormous 
prices. There is a great demand for old lustre placques, 
plates and pitchers. 
FOR PARIS EXHIBIT— ELIZABETH MASON 
