Arts
Music, Painting, Sculpture, Woodcarving, Basketry, Ironworks

"Llano Colonist", December 2, 1922

"Music is one of the greatest enjoyments in Llano. Nearly every one makes some kind of music, either with an instrument or with voice; and it is of the better class, too! What a dreary place this old world would be if it had no harmonious tones! Let us make our speech as harmonious as our music. The stormy sea of strife will soon grow calm."

"Llano Colonist", July 6, 1929

"Newllano appeals to the artist, or to those with an artistic bent, whether creative or interpretative. Here the ego can find expression without fear or hindrance from an economic source, because, so long as we do our share of productive labor our spare time is our own...

Charles W. Eldred is a creative artist who pleases himself -- he is a woodcarver. His art consists of beautiful hand carved chandeliers, made up of block and ball, links, and wooden coils; he carves artistic smoking and flower stands, also work baskets. He combines artistic beauty with utility, which is a combination that few artists strive for. He makes Chinese puzzles having all the way from six to thirty block combinations... His carvings are his own creations, cut from many species of hardwoods, though black-walnut and wild-cherry are his favorites. He has canes galore that would please a Zulu chief or a civilized king. In fact he is an artiste and artist combined."

"Llano Colonist", September 13, 1930

"Llano Artist Gains National Notice -- The work of the print shop staff artist is beginning to attract national attention. Florents Anderson's work was noticed by the educational director of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union, Mr. Mark Starr The I.L.G.W.U. is an organization of over 300,000. Mr. Starr asked Florents to submit some sample work.

In case you don't know it, Florents is the one who designs and makes our linoleum block headings and does the portraits of Llano's Co-operators done in linoleum."

"Llano Colonist", December 6, 1930

"On October 2, there landed in our midst the talented Young family from Welwyn Garden City, England. Ivy Ruth Young, 24, is preeminently a sculptor having had training under noted English teachers. One of her executions in bronze, exhibited at the Royal Academy when she was 18, is a bust of Sir Ebenezer Howard, O.B.E., J.P, the founder of the garden Cities of England.

Miss Young has also done hand illumined and illustrated books... She also originates designs for woven materials such as tapestries, carpets, hanging silks. She is at present teaching eight classes in art expression amongst the children at Kid Kolony, her pupils ranging in age from 6 to 18 years.

Howard Young has done beautiful scenes in water color of the English country-side and in Wales. He may become inspired to create typical Llano scenes which may find their way into your homes... Ivy Young is prepared to make artistic calendars with prints done from original lino cuts or wood cuts. It may be possible, too, that these can be gotten up with small water color sketches of Llano's tall pines by Howard Young...

In organizing our new Art Department we are fortunate in having with us Grace Marians, a china decorator of years of experience. She mentions her ability in that direction first because that is the line she has best been able to commercialize. What she really likes best is painting in oils. She teaches oil and pastel painting as well as making these 'finished products' for sale.

Mrs. Marians studied at Taos, New Mexico, America's best known original art center and makes replicas of some of the Taos masters-for-sale. These are set in hand-modeled scenes of American Indian life which make a rich addition to the art of America."

"Llano Colonist", May 28, 1932

"A studio for Mrs. Loope is in process of erection. In it she will carry on her work for her own and the colony's good."

"Llano Colonist", December 3, 1932

"Mrs. McCullough, who is one of the teachers for the tots, is an expert basket maker. Every type of basket, and nearly every geegaw made from basket materials can be made by her. She is teaching this useful art in the 7th grade and there are several outside the schools who are taking the lessons.

A lot of excellent samples were shown me. The baskets are made out of pine needles. The long variety will measure from 10 inches to a foot. These pine straws lend themselves beautifully to basket making.

Myrtle thought that these baskets should be sold as souvenirs. When finished with laquer they would be very difficult to duplicate. The one pound candy size should bring about $1. Myrtle thought this price would about cover time and material for their making. So any of you who wish these baskets, needle trays, work baskets and general utility baskets, can obtain 'em by sending into the commercial department.

Even lamp shade have been essayed out of pine needle material. It is expected that considerable Christmas trade will be built up in this department."