Mary Dana Hicks
Hicks appeared before the Woman's Congress in 1875 and 1876, urging that the subject of art education should be promoted by associations for study similar to the Social Art Club and Portfolio Club of Syracuse, and that public exhibitions, loan exhibitions and museums should be established.
She was deeply interested in the kindergarten and industrial movements in education, and did much to bring them into harmony with art teaching in the public schools.
Her mother, Agnes, a poet and artist, was a leader in the literary society of Syracuse; she lived to the age of 94 years.
[2] On her 20th birthday, 7 October 1856, she married Charles Spencer Hicks, a promising young lawyer of Syracuse.
Hicks visited him in Boston, and, introducing his books in Syracuse, found them helpful in the study of historic ornament, supplying in some measure the examples necessary for her work.
[2] In order that the children might be properly taught, she formed teachers' classes that were conducted after school hours.
Hicks was president of the club for five years, and through her efforts, its members were able to gather illustrations and to pursue a systematic course of reading relating to ancient, early Christian, and modern art.
The club was popular, the waiting list being filled with names of women of high social standing.
Even before her name appeared as joint author of the various publications prepared by the company, all questions involving educational influence and value were brought to her for judgment and advice.
Her experience and insight as to the needs of the teachers contributed largely toward making possible the wide introduction of the Prang work in the public schools of the country.
She taught clearly the difference in the purpose of the two -— the one being intended for those specially gifted by nature, while the other means the development of art expression in every child.
They were designed to assist public school teachers in preparing themselves to teach the subjects of form, drawing, and color.
