Under the auspices of the Gordon Art Club Mr. Percy Everett, A.R.V.I.A., Principal of the Brunswick Technical College, on Saturday night gave an interesting lecture entitled, “From Clay-pit to Skyscraper.” The Mayor (Ald. H. Hitchcock) presided over the very representative gathering at the Institute of Technology.
The historical and archaeological phases of pottery and ceramics in relation to architectural adornment prefaced the presentation of a well chosen set of views illustrating modern adaptations of the potter’s art to civic and public edifices. America, the lecturer stated, was undoubtedly the home of the application of terra-cotta to architecture, the huge land values rendering sky-scrapers essential for adequate rental returns, with the sky-scraper was developed architecture of a repetition character which provided an opening for economic utilisation of glazed terra-cotta as a versatile medium for the entire surfaces of civic structures. Mr. Everett differentiated between terra-cotta as generally understood for roofing purposes, and that which is lightly tinted and glazed for permanent application to buildings in the place of stone which was subjected to disintegration processes. In projecting close upon one hundred slides the lecturer had an opportunity of presenting to his audience various types of structures in which brick and terra cotta prevailed. Several examples of this medium as used in Melbourne were effectively illustrated.
A comprehensive vote of thanks, moved by Mr. I. G. Anderson and seconded by Student A. Collins, was accorded Mr. Everett for, his lecture, Ald Hitchcock’s for presiding, and Student Fraillen (?) for working the lantern. Mr. T. F. Sesley, who supported the vote of thanks, advocated the recognition of the decorative value of well set out brickwork.
Subsequently Mrs. Goldenberg, president of the Gordon Art Club, entertained members of the club and the visitors in the library, and she was thanked by the vice-president Mr. I. G. Anderson, on behalf of the members, and Mr. J. R. Rossence for the visitors.
Source: Geelong Advertiser (Vic); Mon 17 July 1922 (Page 6)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/165975402
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