This flyer is an advertisement from 1871 for the Collingwood Artisans’ School of Design, Johnston Street, Collingwood. Classes were held on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm in the bluestone courthouse (1853) adjacent to the City of Collingwood Council Chambers.

For two shillings per quarter, technical drawing subjects on offer included Architecture, Practical Geometry, Landscape and Elementary Free Hand. Women were later admitted in 1879.

The renowned Australian Impressionist artist, Tom Roberts (1856-1931), began his formal artistic training at the Collingwood Artisans’ School of Design in 1871, attending until 1874, when he went to the Trades Hall School of Design, Carlton. He had moved to Collingwood from Dorchester, England, in 1869, with his widowed mother and two siblings. They lived nearby in Dight Street and he also worked locally as an assistant in Hewitt's Photographic Studios.

After the new and imposing Collingwood Town Hall opened in May 1887, the council offices and court function moved to Hoddle Street. The Johnston Street facilities became home to the Working Men's Club until it became incorporated into the Collingwood Technical School, based in the buildings from 1912 - 1923. To house the growing number of students, in 1924, a larger dedicated school building was constructed on site, facing Perry Street.

TRANSCRIPT

Collingwood Artisans' School of Design

(Under the auspices of Royal Technological Commissioners)

Court-House, Johnston Street

Established July, 1871

Open every Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 9 O'Clock

Fee 2s Per Quarter

The subjects taught in the various Drawing Classes are: Architecture, Mechanical, Isometrical Projection, Practical Geometry, Ornament, Figure, Landscape and Elementary Free Hand.

This School has been established for the Industrial Youth of all classes, the Committee sparing no trouble or expense in providing the best Masters and Drawings possible to procure, so as to make the instruction given in the School of real utility to the Youth attending.

The Quarters commence on the first Tuesday in July, October, January and April.

(By order of the Committee)

J.P. Byrne, Sec.