Training the Craftsman

The increasing demand for applied art work in useful objects, and the difficulty experienced by manufactures in securing the services of American artisans whose knowledge and skill are sufficient to guarantee good workmanship, present a trade condition which offers unusual opportunities for remunerative employment and advancement to those who have had the advantage of such training as these courses give.

In this day of specialisation, the apprenticeship system is no longer adequate. The apprentice acquires little more than the skill necessary to meet the technical requirements of his trade; but, as the success of the ornamental metal worker depends quite as much upon his artistic conceptions and his designs as upon his skill in execution, the work of the shop must be supplemented by art instruction. By alternating the character of the problems given to the students, the applied work shows the inspiration that comes from a careful study of modelling, ornament, and the principles of design; and the work in modelling and design shows the adjustment and illumination that come from constant contact with practical problems.

The courses appeal to two classes of workers; to the apprentice who, by this instruction, can greatly shorten the period of his apprenticeship, and who can supplement the technical skill which he would gain in the shop by the work in drawing, modelling, and design; also to the art student who is turning his attention to work in the applied arts. The opening offered to such a man in this held exceeds that in almost any line of illustrative art work; and the demand for trained workers in the skilled trades in art applied to metals and the limited supply of such men make advancement practically assured to an earnest worker.

The rooms of the department devoted to the study and practice of jewelry and other forms of metal work are equipped as workshops with everything needful for practical and applied work.

The day course includes instruction in drawing, design, historic ornament, and in applied work in chasing and repousse, jewelry, enamelling, and medal work.

All work is designed and modelled in wax, cast in plaster, and then wrought in copper, silver, or gold. In the work in jewelry, silver is used from the first, students making rings with various stone settings, scarf pins, pendants, chains, bracelets, buttons, brooches, etc., the work being plain, decorated, chased, or set with stones.

In hammered metal work, students make their own tools and produce shallow and deep objects in copper and silver, including trays, bowls, spoons, and the like, with decorative designs and repousse chasing. Parts of objects, such as handles and supports, are also cast, chased, and applied as needed in the design.

Instruction is given in enamelling on copper, silver, and gold.

All work is done in a thoroughly professional manner. Applicants are accepted only for regular and systematic work, and they must give evidence of originality, skill, and general fitness for the course.

Certificates will be granted for the satisfactory completion of a day course of three years.

The classes meet for work daily, except Saturday, from 9.00 A.M. to 4.25 P.M. Instruction is given on eight of the ten half-day sessions. The tuition fees are, $20.00 a term, with an additional laboratory fee of $3.00 a term for miscellaneous material used by students. There are three terms in each school year. The fall term opens the last week in September.

The course provides for wax-modelling, hammered metal work, the application of relief ornament, and the finishing of casting in a thoroughly professional manner; the work being planned for advanced students as well as for beginners. Instruction is given in the making of tools, the modelling of objects in sheet metal, repousse, or relief ornament in flat and hollow ware, and the chasing of ornament in brass, bronze, silver, and gold. Instruction is also given in jewelry. The class meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 7.30 to 9.30 P.M., from the last week of September to the last of March. The tuition fee for the evening course is $15.00 a season of six months, which includes all practice material used by students in class.

Students and alumni of Pratt Institute have organised The Pratt Art Club, which its members otherwise quaintly designate as "Ye Brooklyn Club of Ye Handicrafters"; in its exhibitions, held at the club's rooms near Pratt Institute, are shown some attractive specimens of the work of these crafters.