File:Adelaide School of Arts, Annual Exhibition 1911 - Decoration of china natural form(GN02214).jpg

The Adelaide School of Arts was set up in 1909 when the SA Education Department took over the School of Design previously managed by the Board of Governors of the Public Library, Art Gallery and Museum. It continued in the same location, namely the Jubilee Exhibition Building on North Terrace. It was reorganised in 1916 as the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts. (Register, 1 July 1909, p5; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australian_School_of_Design).

The School held an exhibition of work each year open to the public. GN02209-2219 show work in various categories including needlework, clay modelling, wood carving, and fibrous plaster ceiling displayed at the exhibition held in May 1911. That year there were 700 students and 200 staff (Register 25 May 1911, p60).

The 1911 exhibition was hailed in the Register as 'the best all round exposition yet held.' Its reporter described the work in a number of categories, in particular art and needlework, wood carving, china painting and metal work. (Register, 25 May 1911, p6)

The Register reporter highly recommended the china painting. 'Every one may be advised to inspect the china painting. Not only are the painting and firing - the latter is done in a gas kiln on the premises by Mr. Howie - worthy of professionals, but the subjects for the designs are in most cases Australian wild flowers, which give quite a sentimental interest to the articles. Miss M. Wright must be commended for some exquisite work. It includes a dessert set in native orchids, a set of six tiles in well-known wild flowers, and a perfect afternoon teaset in bluebells. Cup and saucer and plate in Scotch thistles do credit to Miss Hubbe. Miss Barringer has employed the waratah in similar work.'