Art Centres.—I.

The Woodcarving Studio, Chelsea

The great zeal for technical education which now pervades most public bodies is only one phase of a much wider movement, which, during the past ten or fifteen years has grown rapidly in this country. This movement represents in a measure the swing of the pendulum after the state of things at the time of the Great Exhibition of 1851, but it is also due to the realisation of the fact that there is pleasure, and frequently profit also, to be derived from a knowledge of some form of craftsmanship.

There was a time when needlework was the only resort for the woman who would make her hands useful; now all this is changed, and carving, leatherwork, metalwork, and marquetry number a host of clever and cultured women among their devotees.

This increased interest in the crafts naturally gives rise to a demand for competent teaching, and from time to time, accordingly, we see arising schools formed by those ladies and gentlemen who have been the most successful pupils of other centres. Such a one is the Woodcarving School at Chelsea, comfortably situated in The Pheasantry, 152 King's Road.

This school is under the management of Miss Evelyn F. Chambers, who holds a first-class certificate from the South Kensington School of Woodcarving; Miss Ethel M. Blackburn, a pupil of the same school; and Miss Constance M. Idle, also with a first class certificate from the great South Kensington centre.

The work carried on is of a varied and interesting description. The chair illustrated, for instance, was copied for Mrs. Eric Hambro from an exquisite French example. A jardiniere, for Mrs. Ernest Palmer, is also one of the most recent productions. Basketwork, leathervvork, marquetry, and decorative work and painting are also taught at this school, and among the productions for disposal are to be found many pieces admirably suited for wedding and other presents.

The progress made by pupils is rapid, owing to the system of individual instruction which obtains. It is only necessary to add that the school is under the patronage, and enjoys the warmest interest of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London the Rev. Canon Ainger (Master of the Temple), and numbers of other distinguished ladies and gentlemen of artistic inclinations.