| EDIGORTAL

N his lecture on “The Art of B. C. Indians,” given at the University last

fall, Professor Barbeau stated that one object of his researches carried
on in this province under the auspices of the Dominion government, was
to ascertain the possibility of reviving the native Indian art of this prov-
ince. He had come to the conclusion that this was an impossibility; the
younger generation of Indians in B. C. have not the ability or the inclina-
tion to carry on the work of their forefathers. Therefore the only thing
to do was to foster a new art spirit among British Columbians themselves,
and thus to produce work that would bear the unmistakeable imprint of
British Columbia.

As the professor was probably aware, a definite step in this direction
has already been made in this School. Last year we students were more
or less wandering around in a new atmosphere; we had just come fresh
from the High Schools, and had yet to find our feet in this, British
Columbia’s first Art School.

This year, we Second Year students, at any rate, are more settled in
our ways, and ready to receive those gentle promptings as to the path
we should follow in order to do honour to our native province, and to
paint it as it should be.-painted.

There are two factors which contribute much to the realization of
the aim expressed by Professor Barbeau. One, our situation; we are so
far away from all recognised art centers that there should be no outside
influence noticeable in our work. There is no reason why our future
Paintings should not be those of a new School. The second, we have
with us two new instructors who are newcomers to this province, Mr.
F. H. Varley and Mr. J. W. G. MacDonald. These instructors have
become so enthusiastic over this country and its possibilities, that their
enthusiasm is being transmitted to the class.

Mr. Varley has succeeded in obtaining several mural decorations
from his class which are highly successful in that they are typically

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