Vol. VIII, No. JO 
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 
February, \ 907 
EQUESTS, now and then, are 
received from subscribers ask- 
ing that designs be given on the 
shapes for sale in the stores, as 
it is difficult for them to imagine 
putting any given design on 
anything but the shape illus- 
trated. This general lack of im- 
agination is a serious problem 
with which we have to contend, 
as we can only repeat the suggestion to our designers, but 
must accept designs on whatever shape is submitted. 
We are under the necessity of publishing what designs 
we may be able to secure at whatever time we may be 
able to secure them. We cannot go out into the woods 
with our little shot gun and bag exactly what each sub- 
scriber desires at exactly the moment it is desired. As a 
matter of fact, what is the advantage of having a design 
displayed on any particular shape? The drawing is nec- 
essarily flat and can not, as a rule, be directly applied to 
any shape. One must exert one's intellect sufficiently to 
adapt a flat design to a round surface. Then what ad- 
vantage if it is shown on a cream pitcher, say, of the Ran- 
som pattern, instead of as a straight border to be adapted 
to anything? A curve more or less on the rim or a curl 
more or less on the handle cannot be taken into account 
in designing when the designer wants to give a suggestion 
to be used wherever desired on whatever shape one may 
select. Probably if that design were shown on the afore- 
said Ransom cream pitcher the majority of our subscribers 
would not immediately purchase cream pitchers of that 
pattern in order to use the design, but would either have 
to struggle with the problem of disengaging the design 
from that particular shape and applying it to some other, 
or would be reduced to the same condition as those who 
make this request, the condition of being unable to use 
it at all. 
To tell the truth, personally we prefer the designs 
shown on some simple form suggested by the design, 
as it helps our readers to form good taste in selecting 
shapes as nearly like the design as possible. This will 
stimulate the factories to make better and simpler shapes, 
to fill the demand, and so an educational feature is intro- 
duced while no advantage is lost, as it would be a real in- 
jury to our subscribers to deprive them of the necessity 
of using their brains. One should rather "wear out" 
one's thinking apparatus by use, than let it "rust out" 
by having no occasion for thought. 
On the color supplement of the January number the 
title "Cherry Blossoms" was given to a panel of Hawthorn 
Blossoms. The artist notified us of the mistake when too 
late to change it, so she kindly gave the treatment for 
Cherry Blossoms, as the color scheme is identical, and so 
took upon herself the onus of the mistake, which is mani- 
festly unfair. So far no one has called our attention to 
the misnomer. But we can not hope to escape the vigi- 
lant eye of our critic. We wish to apologize in advance 
and at the same time suggest to our contributors that 
they would kindly label their studies or designs so we 
would have no excuse for mistakes. 
•&" jf 
LEAGUE NOTES 
Ranged around the walls, grouped in nooks, alcoves, 
and in mid-floor cases, at the exhibition of arts and crafts 
held in The Art Institute, Chicago, during December, 
were over a hundred pieces of decorated porcelain, and 
more than two hundred pieces of pottery, silent testimonies 
of truth, beauty, and harmony. We viewed these ex- 
pressions of experience, gained in a few short years, with 
reverence akin to awe. A joy of what we are to accom- 
plish, "like tumultuous music, surges through every vein." 
No longer need we feel depressed at the heroic efforts of 
Palissy or the misfortune which proved the success of 
Wedgwood. We need not grieve over the tiles of Granada, 
nor believe that the present and future hold no such 
glories as the past. Already we have glazes which sug- 
gest the mystic, prysmatic colors of the rainbow, and the 
velvety blue green mouldy look seen on ancient ware, 
and are fully up to the times in form and design. There 
were no silent deceptions, no great effort resulting only 
in sham, no plagiarisms. There was only truth uniting 
use and beauty. Foreigners questioning about ceramics, 
were incredulous when told that all were American pro- 
ductions, by people who had not even studied abroad. 
A lecture on "Recent developments in American pottery," 
was given during the exhibition, followed by introduc- 
tions to the lecturer and light refreshments in the pottery 
section. Public admiration is abundant; artists are sym- 
pathetic. The value and sacredness of this new career 
of power open to the ceramist must not be underrated. 
Every advantage for more knowledge should be seized, 
our failures turned to success. We should not be con- 
tent until the art world is apace with the commercial and 
scientific world of to-day. No duty should crowd out 
the problems for each month. There is still a week in 
which to send the designs for the cake plate. Letters 
containing vase shapes, numbers, and more explicit direc- 
tions will soon be mailed to each member, as we have not 
the outlines for this issue of Keramic Studio. 
Belle B. Vesey, Pres. 
EXHIBITION NOTES 
The New York Society of Keramic Arts will hold 
an exhibition of the work of its members from April i 
to April 15, 1907 in the galleries of the National Arts Club, 
Gramercy Park, New York. 
The fourteenth annual exhibition of the Brooklyn 
Society of Mineral Painters, held at the Pouch Gallery, 
December fourth and fifth showed interesting progress 
in the work of the society. Original designs in water 
color applied to ceramic forms were displayed by the mem- 
bers of Miss M. M. Mason's class in design. 
The officers of the society are: Mrs. James Master- 
man, President; Mrs. Theodore Field, Vice-President; Mrs. 
Eugene L. Hale, Recording Secretary; Miss B. H. Proctor, 
Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Frank Baiseley, Treasurer; 
Mrs. M. F. Prince, Historian. 
