Quite recently the experiment was tried by the Dublin Painters Group of holding a poetry recital in their studio. This union of the arts was presided over by Mr Austin Clarke, who announced that the poets had surrendered the West of Ireland to the painters.
An even more daring experiment is reported from Carlisle, where the British Institute of Adult Education has just sent a selection of pictures to be exhibited at four well-known industrial firms. These included Wadsworth, Utrillo, John Nash, Pissarro and Van Gogh. The pictures were kept by each firm for three or four weeks, and no charge was made for the loan. It is part of an "Art For The People" scheme.
At the same time, the Entertainments' National Service Association is supplying free concerts and entertainments during dinner-hour "breaks," where firms are working up to 80 per cent on munitions. There are twenty-two organisers of this scheme in various areas, and applications for free shows must be made to Ensa, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, a famous home of entertainment.
If the war continues long enough, it would seem as if British civilian workers will acquire a great knowledge of art and drama.
The Irish Times, February 22nd, 1941.