St Martin's School of Art
Foundation date: 1854
Active: 1854 -
Function: Art school
Policy: Aims:
The 'Principal's Report' (9 February, 1950) describes the early aims of the school and its changing character between 1939 and 1950. It notes that in 1939, when the new school building opened at 109 Charing Cross Road, the 'main feature' of the school cirriculum was for 'training in Commercial Art' which included instruction in 'all forms of Advertsing Design, Fashion Drawing, Surface Design, etc.' The report gives a number of reasons why the character of the school changed between 1939 and 1950:
a)the closure of the Westminster School of Art during the war resulted in provision of training for the Art Teachers' Diploma being transfered to St. Martins.
b)the increase of work in fashion drawing and provision of additional classes in dress designing and cutting led to the seperation of these classes from the 'Commercial Design' department and to the creation of a new department of Fashion and Dress Design.
c)the end of the war resulted in a 'sudden increased demand for educational facilities'.
The report conculdes that 'these three factors in combination have tended to bring about the present position of three very flourishing departments in Fine Art, Advertsing Design and Dress Design, all competing for a fair share of the very inadequate accomodation avaliable'.
Sculpture Classes:
The first avaliable (full) school prospectus from 1912-1913 records the following subjects relating to sculpture that were offered to students: painting and modelling from life, shading and modelling the figure from the Antique, and shading and modelling ornament and details of the figure from the cast and models. Various additional classes were provided in drawing, design, needlework etc. The same classes are listed in a single page extract from the 1902-1903 prospectus.
In 1912-1913 the 'modelling figure from life' class was taught as a day class, 'modelling, ornament, etc.' was an elementary evening class, and 'modelling head from life' was an advanced evening class.
The 'Modelling and Casting' course was taught on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evening included modelling from life, antique, designs and plants from nature. An additional 'special class' was held for elementary students on Tuesday and a 'class for modelling the figures from life' on a Saturday.
The 1912-1913 prospectus records that in the 1910-1911 National Competition students of the modelling and casting class obtained one gold medal, four silver medals, three bronze medals, two book prizes and two commended awards.
Modelling classes continued to be offered as day and evening classes until c. 1951.
The sculpture and modelling course developed and appears to have expanded by 1938 when it offering instruction in the making of armatures, modelling from the cast, drapery, elementary and advanced design, study from life of the figure and head and casting student's own works in plaster by 'the waste-mould method'. The 1938-1939 prospectus notes that 'ornamental design and architectural character is a special feature of this department' and that 'freedom in endavour in individual expression is encouraged'.
It should be noted that in 1938 classes in stone and marble carving and letter cutting were also offered to students. These classes are not listed in 1923-1924 and there are no avliable prospectuses between this date and 1937.
In a Principal's Report dated the 29 October, 1948, a number of 'new full-time courses' are listed including a course in 'Sculpture (up to National Diploma in Design)'. In the prospectuses from 1948 onwards five main (presumably full time) courses of study were offered to students of the school. These were the drawing and painting course, advertising and commercial course, fashion and dress design course, modelling and sculpture course and the art teachers' diploma course. The modelling and sculpture course aimed to 'provide every facility for the study of sculpture in its various aspects including carving in stone and wood and modelling in clay'. Students were 'encouraged to concieve sculpture in relation to architecture' and for students who were preparing for the 'Ministry of Education National Diploma in Design' instruction in the use of the pointing machine, three-point process, and direct carving were also offered. The course provided study in modelling from nude life, portraiture and composition, and casting works in plaster of paris. Students were given the oppertunity to visit foundaries and 'become acquainted with the processes involved in non-ferrous metal casting'.
Student Employment:
In the 1923-1924 'Report on the School Year' it is recorded that in that year 'employment was found for thirty-five students; twenty-four in Commercial Studios; ten in Fashion Drawing Studios, and one in a Sculptor's studio'. The the 'Report on the School-Year', 1925-1926, includes a list of student's occupations. It is unclear whether this list refers to the current occupation of students who were studying at the school, or to the occupations that students graduating in the year found upon leaving the school. Two male students are listed under 'makers of bricks, pottery, glass', but there is no listing for students working in other trades related to sculpture.
Rules: The 1912-1923 prospectus decsribes how 'Apprectices, Learners and Improvers working at a trade or craft, and under the age of 21, are admitted to all the privileges of the School, free of charges'.
Students were eligable for a number of prizes and scholarships that were offered by the London County Council Education Department.
History or description: The introduction to the 1945-1946 school prospectus describes the history of the school's foundation. It states that the school 'originated in 1854 as a parochial venture of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. In 1859 it became "a seperate and independent school." In 1894 it was recognised by the Technical Education Board of the London County Council, and from that date until 1939, it remained an "aided" instutution. Since then it has been an institution maintained by the London Council Council.' The introduction continues to describe how the school 'provides instruction in the recognised subjects for the study of the fine arts, and also in preperation for a career in Commercial Art, Fashion Design, etc.'
A similar decsription is provided in the 1948-1949 prospectus (which remained unchanged until the end of this project's period) but this introduction also stressed the school's ability to adapt to changing demands. It added that the school offers excellent oppertunities to students 'whether their course of study embraces the traditional arts of painting and sculpture or the newer and more vociferous arts related to present day advertising and commerce.'
In 1935 the status of the school is recorded as having changed from an 'aided' institution to a 'maintained institution' by the London County Council, although in practical terms this appears to have little impact on the day to day running of the school (see 'Minutes', 21 June, 1935).
In 1950 the Principal E. J. Morss noted that the school's current premises were insuffucinet for the number of students attending classes and appealed to expand the school and make use of rooms in 111 Charing Cross: see 'Principal's Report', 9 February, 1950, p. 1.
Activities: art classes, classes in life drawing , classes in modeling, classes in modeling from the life, exhibitions (members only)
Benefits: grants and prizes
Employees, Students & Members
Numbers: 766
Period Start: 1923
Period End: 1924
Percentage Male/Female: 51/49
Numbers: 745
Period Start: 1924
Period End: 1925
Percentage Male/Female: 49/51
Numbers: 1167
Period Start: 1943
Period End: 1944
Numbers: 960
Period Start: 1944
Period End: 1945
Numbers: 1393
Period Start: 1945
Period End: 1946
Numbers: 1475
Period Start: 1946
Period End: 1947
Numbers: 1744
Period Start: 1947
Period End: 1948
Locations
Address 3 Castle Street Endell Street London | View on map
1912 (Presumed) - 1921 (Presumed)
Address 107 Charing Cross Road London WC | View on map
1922 (Presumed) - 1937
The 1938-1939 School prospectus includes a note that explains that classes were held at the new address of 15 Charing Cross Road 'during the re-building of the new school on the former site'.
Address 15 Charing Cross Road London | View on map
1938 - 1939
The 1938-1939 School prospectus includes a note that explains that classes were held at this new address 'during the re-building of the new school on the former site'.
Address 109 Charing Cross Road London | View on map
1939 - 1951 (Presumed)
Exhibitions, Courses, Meetings and other Events
Organized Exhibition of Students' Work (St Martin's School of Art), 1912-1926
1912 (Circa) - 1926 (Circa)
See the first available school prospectus from 1912-1913. The exhibitions are discussed in meeting minutes from 1923 and 1925-1926, but they are likely to have continued throughout the period covered by this project.
Organized Sculpture Classes (St Martin's School of Art), 1902-1951
1902 (Circa) - 1951 (Circa)
Associated People
Principals included George Richard Woolway
1 January 1928 - 1943 (Probable)
Appointed Principal in 1938 with five votes to two (the other candidate was William Palmer Robins): see 'Minutes of Proceedings', 14 October, 1927. Woolway is still listed as Principal in 1939-1940, however, there are no avaliable prospectuses dating from 1941 to 1944. Woolway is not listed as Principal in 1945.
It is recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the 'Advisory Sub-Committee', held on the 28 October, 1943, that the current Principal (who is not named in the minutes) would retire at the end of the current term. It is, therefore, probable that Woolway held the position of Principal until 1943.
Principals included Williamson
1943 - 1944 (Circa)
It is recorded in the minutes of a meeting of the 'Advisory Sub-Committee', held on the 28 October, 1943, that 'Mr. Williamson, Headmaster of Chelsea School of Art (temporarily closed) be Acting Principal until such time as the reopening of his own school'. No end date is known.
Principals included R. Kirkland Jamieson
1945 (Probable) - July 1947
Listed as Acting Principal in 1945-1946. There are no prospectuses from 1941-1944, and G. R. Woolway is listed as Principal in 1939-1940. Williamson is listed as Acting Principal in 1943. It is likely that Jamieson took up the post in 1945. He held this until the 1946-1947 session and retired at the end of July 1947.
Principals included E.J. Morse
1947 - 1952 (Presumed)
First listed as Principal in the school's 1947-1948 prospectus. Still listed as Principal in the 1951-1952 prospectus.
Students included A. Gray
1950
Listed as a graduate in 1950 with a 'National Diploma in Design (Sculpture)'. See the school's prospectus for 1950-1951, p. 12.
Students included P.J. Raynor
1950
Listed as a graduate in 1950 with a 'National Diploma in Design (Sculpture)'. See the school's prospectus for 1950-1951, p. 12.
Students included Lottie Ayres
1910 - 1911
See the school's 1912-1913 prospectus which records that Ayres was awarded a Gold Medal in the National Competition for modelling the human figure in the round from life.
Teachers of modeling included Peter Russell McCrossan
1902 (Circa) - 1923 (Circa)
Listed as instructor of modelling and casting in the School's first avaliable full prospectus from 1912-1913. McCrossan is also listed on the staff in the single page extract from the 1902-1903 prospectus. This does not specify the type of course he taught, but it was presumably a modelling class. Last listed in the 1922-1923, however, there are no available prospectuses from 1924 to 1937. So it is not known whether he continued teaching until his death in 1926.
Teachers of modeling included Frederick John Wilcoxson
1938 (Circa) - 1940 (Circa)
Listed as a teacher of modelling for day and evening classes at the School in the 1938-1939 prospectus. Note that there are no prospectuses from 1924 to 1937 and it is, therefore, possible that Wilcoxon started teaching at the School at any time between those dates. There are also no prospectuses from 1941 to 1944. Wilcoxon is not listed on the staff in 1945-1946, however, he may have been teaching at the school between 1941 and 1944.
Teachers of modeling included Walter Marsden
1944 - 1952 (Presumed)
Listed as a teacher of modelling in the day school only in 1945-1946. There are no avaliable prospectuses from 1941-1944 and Marsden is not listed on the staff in 1939-1940. However, he is listed as a new member of the 'temporary aditional staff' in meeting minutes of the Advisory Sub-Committee, on the 6 June, 1944.
Note that in the 1947-1948 prospectus, Marsden is described as teacher of sculpture and S. B. Stewart is listed as teacher of modelling.
From 1948 to 1952 Marsden is still listed as a teacher in the prospectuses, however, these do not specify the type of course that he taught.
Based on information submitted by James Butler RA who was a student at St Martins from 1949-51, Walter Marsden was Head of the Sculpture Department and S. Birnie (Jock) Stewart was an assistant tutor.
Teachers of modeling included Sydney S. Birnie Stewart
1947 - 1952 (Presumed)
First listed as a teacher of modelling (note that W. Marsden is listed as teacher of sculpture) in the 1947-1948 school prospectus. From 1948 to 1952 Stewart is still listed as a teacher in the prospectuses, however, these do not specify the type of course that he taught. Based on information submitted by James Butler RA who was a student at St Martins from 1949-51, Stewart was a tutor in the sculpture school and Walter Marsden was head of the department.
Sources
Extra-ordinary meeting of the Committee of Managers, 15 November 1927 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
15 November 1927
pp. 1-3.
London County Council St Martin's School of Art Advisory Sub-Committee, 28 October 1948 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
28 October 1948
p. 1.
London County Council St Martin's School of Art, Governors, Principal's Report, 9 February 1950 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
9 February 1950
pp. 1-3
London County Council St Martin's School of Art, Session 1947-1948 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1947
pp. 1-8.
London County Council, St Martin's School of Art, Session 1946-1947 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1946
pp. 1-8.
London County Council, St Martin's School of Art, Session 1951-1952 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1951
pp. 1-12.
Meeting of the Advisory Sub-Committee of St Martin's School of Art, 28 October 1943 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
28 October 1943
pp. 1-2.
Meeting of the Advisory Sub-Committee of St Martin's School of Art, 6 June 1944 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
6 June 1944
pp. 1-2.
Meeting of the Advisory Sub-Committee of the London County Council St Martin's School of Art, 17 October 1946 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
17 October 1946
pp. 1-3.
Minutes at a meeting of the Committee of Managers held on Friday 21 June 1935 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
21 June 1935
pp. 1-3.
St Martin's School of Art Prospectus, Session 1922-1923 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1922
pp. 1-11.
St Martin's School of Art, 1912-1913 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1912
Unpaged.
St Martin's School of Art, Prospectus and Time Table of the Session 1938-1939 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1938
pp. 1-14.
St Martin's School of Art, Report on the School Year, 1925-1926 St Martin's School of Art. Committee of Managers Minute Book
1926
pp. 1-10.
St Martin's School of Art, Session 1902-1903 St Martin's School of Art Prospectuses
1902
Single loose page.
Citing this record
'St Martin\'s School of Art', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib4_1248949763, accessed 01 Jun 2023]
