{"id":1223,"date":"2022-02-03T05:47:32","date_gmt":"2022-02-03T05:47:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/?p=1223"},"modified":"2022-02-03T21:59:03","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T21:59:03","slug":"a-place-of-dramatic-endeavour-the-schools-of-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/2022\/02\/a-place-of-dramatic-endeavour-the-schools-of-art\/","title":{"rendered":"A place of dramatic endeavour: the Schools of Art"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once upon a time, the Arts referred to entertainment:<\/p>\n

There is no generally agreed definition of what constitutes art,<\/sup><\/sup><\/sup> and ideas have changed over time. The three classical branches of visual art are painting, sculpture and architecture.\u00a0 Theatre, dance and other performing arts, as well as literature, music, film and other media such as interactive media, are included in a broader definition of the arts.<\/p>\n

Wikipedia – https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Art<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Opening of the Coffs Harbour School of Art, 16 September 1904, mus07-1430 in Coffs Collections<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Coffs Harbour\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The purpose-built Coffs Harbour School of Arts was opened in September\u00a0 1904, with a large ceremony attended by practically the whole town. In previous years from about 1897, an old slab school was used as a library and a general purpose meeting place.<\/p>\n

The School of \u00a0Arts was located on the north side of High St (now Harbour Drive), between Grafton Street (now the Pacific Highway) and Castle Street.<\/p>\n

The building was revamped in 1908, which involved moving the building back 12 feet and adding a new front comprising a library and reading room on the ground floor and a smoking room upstairs.<\/p>\n

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Coffs Harbour School of Arts 1909, M2020.39.12, in Coffs Collections <\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Initially the School of Arts was used for dances, balls, musical events, plays and public meetings. From 1912, motion pictures were shown, so the committee appointed Chas Dutton to be the full-time custodian.<\/p>\n

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PRESENTATIONS<\/a> (1936, March 30). Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), p.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1919, the committee decided that a more permanent and regular showing of movies should be established, with films of Charlie Chaplin and a ‘6 reeler’ of Norma Tallmadge with pianist accompaniment. Two Pianists were also appointed to provide the weekly dance music, which they received the equivalent of $1.05 per night.<\/p>\n

War-time meetings, farewells to enlisted men and welcomes of gratitude for returning veterans added much to the School of the Arts.\u00a0The showing of movies remained popular throughout the 1920s.\u00a0The School of the Arts made a quick transition to the\u00a0 ‘talkies’\u00a0 showing its first talkie on Saturday 10th <\/sup>January 1931.<\/p>\n

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SCHOOL OF ARTS TALKIES<\/a>. (1931, January 30). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The trustees of the School of Arts decided they needed a more spacious hall and it wasn\u2019t until 1927 that a re-build was arranged to accommodate functions like a Masonic Ball, a Hospital Ball and a Show Ball.<\/p>\n

In 1935, the School of the Arts building was in such a dilapidated state that a meeting of its members chaired by the then President M.J.P. Hammond considered re-building. This was however delayed with only a \u00a350 outlay for painting the front of the building which was agreed upon\u2026 a disgrace by all accounts.<\/p>\n

As soon as the guttering around the School was pulled down by \u2018peepers\u2019,\u00a0 who had been climbing up the windows to view the pictures inside, a decision to remodel the building came up for discussion again in 1937.<\/p>\n

Various committee members were appointed to make a detailed investigation of the dilapidated Arts building, but nothing ever came of this.\u00a0Mr Charles Vost was the President at the time.<\/p>\n

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Portrait of Charles Vost, c.1930s, mus07-1121, in Coffs Collections.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Soon after the outbreak of World War II, a meeting of the School\u2019s members recommended that it should be handed over to the Dorrigo Shire Council, with the object of having a Town Hall and Shire offices built in lieu.\u00a0The War put an end to all such ambitious plans for renovating the School of Arts. A further 24 years were to pass before it bowed out in favour of a Town Hall, built on a different site.\u00a0During the first five or six post war years, the committee of the School of the Arts grappled with the problem of its then dilapidated building.<\/p>\n

In 1947 an approach was made to the Shire Council offering to combine with the Council to erect a Civic Centre, with the understanding that the School of Arts\u00a0 would contribute funds from the sale of its High Street property, and the Council would incorporate a public hall, billiard room and library in a new centrally located complex, with Shire Chambers. In 1948 this proposal to combine with the Council failed.<\/p>\n

Subsequently, a proposed new 20,000 two-storied brick building received consideration and President Vost obtained Ministerial approval for it from the Department of Education in Sydney.\u00a0Two months later a building committee was appointed. (Meeting minutes<\/a> from various 1940s School of Arts committees are available in Coffs Collections.)<\/p>\n

A proposal also in 1948, to have the frontage of The School of Arts converted into shops for letting, advanced another step in 1950 when that was approved and a loan from the National Bank of Australia of \u00a33,750 were forthcoming. A fresh fruit and vegetables shop, a dry cleaners, a Library and a lottery ticket sales shop then graced the front of the building.<\/p>\n

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The High Street frontage of the School of Arts in the 1950s, mus07-11357. In Coffs Collections<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The demise of the School of Arts premises took place in 1958, when it was finally realised that the property was recognised as over-capitalised in relation to the income being derived from it. Being located in the heart of the shopping centre, the site had great commercial value.<\/p>\n

Woolworths, with an offer of \u00a356,500, purchased the property in 1960. The offer was accepted. [1] A new venue was constructed elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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The Town Hall and Civic Centre in 1995, mus07-2875. In Coffs Collections<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Woolgoolga<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well ahead of Coffs Harbour, the Woolgoolga School of Arts was built in the 1890s to serve the social and cultural needs of the community. Although it was a poorly built wooden structure, it served for several years as the main venue for concerts, dances and a library. Catholic Masses were also held there with record congregations.<\/p>\n

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In the background, left to right along Scarborough Street are the Schoolteacher’s residence, the School of Arts and the Police Station. mus07-13170. In Coffs Collections<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Woolgoolga School of Arts had a fairly short life, according to Otho Alverson \u2013 bushworker, who settled in Woolgoolga in 1889. Otho recalled attending the dances which were held regularly there, with a single admission charge of one shilling.\u00a0Each month a Ball was held and tickets for admission was three shillings and six pence for a double.\u00a0People came on horseback from Corindi, Halfway Creek, Glenreagh and Bucca Creek to attend these functions at the School of Arts.<\/p>\n

One of Woolgoolga\u2019s residents, Ernie Younger, remembers starting school in 1907 having to move first into the School of Arts while a new school was\u00a0 built between the Black Tracker\u2019s Hut and the Police Station. [2]<\/p>\n

The Department of Education rented the School of Arts for five shillings per week to conduct glasses there.\u00a0It was officially vacated by the Department on 31st<\/sup> December 1908 when the lease ended.<\/p>\n

During the 1920s, the School of Arts was pulled down and any useful timber went to the building of a house next to a store in Beach Street. The store was still standing in 1981, but the house was removed in about 1971. School tennis courts now occupy the grounds where the School of Arts once stood.<\/p>\n

In Coramba<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Coramba School of Arts was built in Gale Street in 1912 on land donated by William Gale<\/a>. As it was nearing completion it was physically moved back and a Coffee Palace was added fronting the Street.<\/p>\n

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DISTRICT NEWS<\/a> (1912, June 14). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It became the centre of the town\u2019s social life for many years, having its own band and at time featured a Black and White Minstrel Band with stringed instruments. Three act plays were also featured. Madame Melba, Dame Clara Butt, Slim Dusty and Ada Crossley were some of the visiting artists to\u00a0 remembered from early times.<\/p>\n

School concerts were an annual event as were Debutante Balls.\u00a0In 1918 a benefit was held for a family affected by a mill accident.\u00a0A few years later an Amateur Theatrical Society called \u201cThe Cats\u201d appeared. Old timers recall \u2018good shows\u2019 being performed at the School.<\/p>\n

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Coramba<\/a>. (1929, December 13). Coffs Harbour Advocate (NSW : 1907 – 1942; 1946 – 1954), p.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. On Saturday night last in the local School of Arts, a dance and concert were held in aid of the candidature of Miss Doreen Shone in the local queen competition. Mr. Les Evans, of Grafton, was mainly responsible for the thoroughly happy time enjoyed by all and also for the several concert items supplied by a party he brought from Grafton. The attendance was one of the best seen in Coramba for a considerable number of years. Molly Tomlinson, of Grafton, contributed a sword dance and the Highland fling to the accompaniment of Mr. P. McPhee with the bagpipes. Later in the night Molly again appeared on the stage, but this time recited “If.”<\/p>\n

Mr. Les Evans greatly amused the audience with “Larrikin Tom.” “Larrikin Tom” was a huge doll, and Mr. Evans, who is an excellent ventriloquist, had everyone in the hall rocking with laughter. The orchestra consisted of Messrs.- P. Matheson, sen. (international accordion), Mr. P. Matheson, jun. (piano-accordion) and Mr. J. McPhee (drums). This orchestra was also brought from Grafton by Mr. Evans.<\/p>\n

CORAMBA<\/a> (1936, July 29).\u00a0Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 – 1954)<\/i>, p.8<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The functions were very successful, both from a social and financial point of view.<\/p>\n

In Bonville<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

Research indicates that the old community hall (pictured below), and the School of Arts building are one and the same. The public hall still stands, near Ayrshire Park Drive.<\/p>\n

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Bonville Public Hall. mus07-1420. In Coffs Collections<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Researched by Martin Jeffery \u2013 volunteer – Coffs Harbour Regional Museum 2008<\/p>\n

Images from Coffs Collections<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n

References<\/em><\/p>\n

[1] Coffs Harbour Vol II 1946 – 1964<\/a>, Yeates, 1990.<\/p>\n

[2] Woolgoolga, the history of a village<\/a>, mid-north coast, Yeates, 2013<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Once upon a time, the Arts referred to entertainment: There is no generally agreed definition of what constitutes art, and ideas have changed over time. The three classical branches of visual art are painting, sculpture and architecture.  Theatre, dance and other performing arts, as well as literature, music, film and other media such as interactive … Continue reading “A place of dramatic endeavour: the Schools of Art”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1223"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1223"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1241,"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1223\/revisions\/1241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1223"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coffscoastheritage.info\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}