Students of 1930–1940
Rita Angus 1927–33
Doris Tutill 1929–34
William A. Sutton 1930–37
Tosswill Woollaston 1931
Leo Bensemann 1932–36
Rona Fleming 1932–39
Owen Lee 1932–39
Juliet Peter 1936–39
Austen Deans 1938
Joyce Simmons (neé Jefcoate) 1934–38
1930

'During this period [c.1930–1950], Canterbury College's School of Art was at the forefront of the movement to create a New Zealand art, and contributed in no small measure to the development of the regional Canterbury style, dominated by the landscape. Although experimentation, modernism and the war also had impact on teaching, the School remained largely academic in its approach. The biggest change of the period in terms of teaching was the move away from the practical or industrial arts towards a narrower definition of fine arts.' (Terri Elder, Southern Exposure)

A 'print renaissance' occurs at the school over the late 1920s and early 1930s, with a strong emphasis on linocuts, a medium that was popular with British artists at the time.

Florence Akins is the first student to be awarded the newly instituted Diploma of Fine Arts by examination. Evelyn Page (Evelyn Polson) is appointed equivalent full-time Lecturer (1930–36).

1931

Professor James Shelley is appointed to staff (1931–36, Lecturer 1931), and as Director of the School of Art is admitted to the Professorial Board, resulting in the school's greater integration with Canterbury University College.

1932

From 11-16 July the School of Art celebrates its 50th Jubilee with a diverse, 200 work retrospective exhibition at the Armagh Street Gallery which includes work by current and past students and staff.

Christchurch's first public art gallery, the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, opens in June, enabling the art students to view a greater selection of contemporary and historical works.

1933

Ivy Copeland is appointed to staff (1933–36).

1934

Following a period working as a full-time artist, former Director of the school Archibald F. Nicoll is reappointed as a lecturer (1934–45). Ivy Fife is appointed to the staff (1934–59).

1936

Florence Akins, the first student to be awarded the Dip.FA, is appointed to staff and becomes one of the school's longest serving staff members (1936–69). In 2006 she celebrated her 100th birthday. She initially taught the junior students, sending two girls across the road to the Botanical Gardens each morning to obtain plant cuttings from the gardener who selected seasonal specimens of particular interest. From drawings of plants, designs were developed for embroidery or paper repeat design work.

1939

With the growth of the Junior School in the early 1930s, more students attend CCSA as a high school, and more teaching positions are made available for women. Generally women taught junior classes while older male staff taught tertiary or senior students.

'In 1939 there were three classes of junior girls and one class of boys at the school. The boys concentrated more on metalwork and architecture, going into trades such as sign-writing and stonemasonry. The girls supplemented their core subjects with needlework and dressmaking. This fitted them for work as milliners, dressmakers and other types of employment involving applied art.' They wore a uniform for the first two years. (Janet Abbott, Daughters of Design)

The junior school staff include the following lecturers: Florence Akins, who takes the junior students for plant study; Ivy Fife, lecturing in design, embroidery and plant forms; Herbert Horridge teaching Greek mythology and drawing, supplemented by Rata Lovell-Smith who also teaches English, civics, and Maori mythology; Louise Henderson takes embroidery; metalwork is taught by 'Johnny' Johnstone; a Mrs Jordan teaches the girls dressmaking; Francis Shurrock instructs the juniors in modelling, while Bill Sutton teaches them geometry and lettering. Senior teachers who occasionally teach the Juniors in 1939 include Cecil Kelly, Archibald Nicoll, and Richard Wallwork.

W.A. Sutton is appointed to staff (1939–80, Senior Lecturer 1959–80, Acting Director 1960, Reader in Painting 1969-)

With the outbreak of war in 1939, teaching is disrupted by the absence of staff serving in the armed forces.

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The 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Canterbury Society of Arts Gallery, Jubilee Week, July 11th, 1932.

From the left is former Headmaster George H. Elliot; the portrait is of Elliot's successor Director Robert Herdman-Smith by Richard Wallwork; next former acting Director Frederick Gurnsey; former Director Archibald Nicoll; and Director at the time of the Jubilee in 1932, Richard Wallwork.

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Canterbury College School of Art 50th Anniversary Exhibition, 1932

The sculpture section of the School's Jubilee exhibition at the Society of Arts' Durham Street gallery featured work by students and lecturers. To the left is Elizabeth Harrison's painted plaster horse, Persimmon, a model of King Edward VII's famous race horse. Harrison was a student of F.A .Shurrock's in the early 1930s. Persimmon has been held by Harrison's family since her untimely death at the age of 25.

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Canterbury College School of Arts, Jubilee Group – 1932

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Canterbury College School of Art, 1934

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The Arts Ball – Ballet Group 1936

The annual Arts Ball was held at the Provincial Council Chambers, on the corner of Durham and Armagh Streets, from as early as the 1920s and continued until the 1950s. The Provincial Council Chambers was the chosen venue because it had a sprung floor and a Dance License.

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Students, Canterbury College School of Arts – 1936

Former Christchurch Art Gallery Senior Curator, Neil Roberts, has identified the following people: Bill Sutton – standing far right, Owen Lee – kneeling right, Austen Deans – second from the left. The School's Gothic Revival buildings are in the background.