The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-03
portland soc;e,v 80 a..

The action taken by the Portland Society of
Art at the meeting on Wednesday last, in ref
erence to the erection of building for the use
of the society would seem to be wise oue,a and
it is hoped that the public will take an inter-
est in the matter and aid the society in their
undertaking, which is not only calculated to
benefit themselves, but to be of assistance to
all those of our people who practically or
otherwise take any interest in art matters. A
lease for five years has been gven.free of rent,
to the society (by gentleman interested in the
amatter) of lot of land in the rear of the
eWooden stores on Congress street, Just below
Park street, with good approach from Con-
gress street, and also from Deering place. 1t
is proposed to erect on this lot one-story
wooden cottage, after design by Fassett &
Stevens, who not only give the plans to the
club, but also will supervise the erection The
building furnishes two good sized rooms, 10 be
used for sitting, reading or drawing rooms, and
large room for exhibitions or classes, lighted
from the top, as well as from high side win
dow, the value of which for working purposes
all artists will appreciate. This large room
will be heated by furnace and can be divid-
ed into TWO rooms if desired. The two smaller
rooms will have open freplaces, and portieres
are to be provided at the doorways. Several
large closets give an ample space for slowing
away easels and materials when wished. A
small cellar will be excayated in order to
| furnish space for furnace The exterior of
the building will be made attractive in appear
ance .though everything is meant to be as plain
| and simple as will be consistent with its char
l iatu
and promise of more, as well as some objects
of ornaments, have been made. It is hoped
that the many lady members may exercise
| their taste somewhat in the interior arrange
ments.
The building is to be kept open with a jani-
tor in charge, and warmed and lighted every
day and evening, SO that work Of any descrip-
tion can be comfortably carried on, and also
that pleasant place for reading or social in
tercourse for art purposes may be furnished
In order to do all this it has been decided to
issue bonds Of the society to the amount Of
$1,000, secured by mortgage of the building
| and pledge of the property. On careful es-
| innate it is found that the present revenues
will suffice to pay all running expenses, furnish
a good sum each year for a sinking fund, and
leave something over. About one-half of the
sum required has already been taken, and ar
rsngements are being made to obtain the bal
ance, SO that the work can be commenced at
once, and the new year see the society in it's
own comfortable quarters The society is de-
pendent entirely on its members annual dues,
as all its exhibitions are practically free. and
no revenue is derived from them. and the
number of those personally interested is suffi-
Gent to insure the meeting of all liabilities. 1t
is thought the membership can be largely in
creased, for the yearly dues are SO small, while
the benefits sought for are SO great, that we
hope to add largely to our numbers The
prominence and standing of our most active
members are an assurance of the proper man
agement and improvement of the means of the
society. With rooms for work and competent
instructors who will aid, much work could be
produced in the society and frequent exhibit
tons be made, in which all would be interest
ed, while in the gradual collecting of books
and casts, as aids in the study of art, there
would certainly be objects worth striving for.
The society opens an exhibition on Nov
10th, of local art, which will, it is hoped show
not only that many are engaged in the pursuit
of art study as artists and amateurs but also
give fair idea of the am cunt OF really good
work done by them. Besides the works of oul
friends of today, it is hoped to show one OF
more specimens of the work of each one Of
these artists who have formerly lived among
us, or who have gone away from Us, and have
made themselves known elsewhere.