The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-02-04
Telfair Academy.

Some Of those who are interested in the
Tclfair Academy Of Fine Arts are anxious
that two suggestions which relate to that
institution. and which are advocated in
communication published in another
column Of this issue, shall be adopted by
those who are intrusted with its manage
ment. One Of them is, that loans of PIC
lures for exhibition in the academy during
the Jasper Festival shall be solicited from
citizens and the other is that visitors TO the
academy shall be admitted free one day
each week
Both suggestions are good ones, and there
does not appear any reason why they should
not be adopted A great many very fine
and valuable paintings are owned in this
city. Some of them doubtless could be
obtained for few days for the academy
Assurances that they would be carefully
handled, and returned without trouble
or cost to their owners, would, in
all probability, he all that would
be necessary TO secure them,
They would add greatly to the attractions
of the academy and draw visitors to it. ANY
objections based upon apprehended danger
to the pictures, or anticipated trouble in re-
moving and replacing them, could easily be
overcome by few arguments, advanced III
the right spirit, and supported by reason
able amount of earnestness and enthusiasm.
All that is needed to make the
suggestion a success is for the acad-
envy authorities to adopt 1t, and
set about carrying it out as if they did not
intend to permit any obstacle 10 interfere
with their purpose. The Jasper Festival
offers them the opportunity of bringing
the academy into much greater prominence
than it has ever yet had, and the suggestion
points out one of the ways the opportunity
can be utilized. The way TO make the
academy beneficial is to make it popular.
The aim of it is to give pleasure and to
educate the taste of the people for the
beautiful. How is this aim TO be realized
unless the people are attracted toit9
The other suggestion, that one day in the
week be made free day, has been quietly
talked of for some time by number Of
those interested in the institution. 1t is
seen that few people visit the academy. The
reason doubtless is that only few feel able
to pay for the privilege Many would like
to go often, but their purses won't permit
them. But why should they be shut out for
any such reason! The academy is intended
for the public, Is it notl 1t wasn't the pur-
pose of the founder of it that only those
should enjoy its advantages and attractions
who could pay for the privilege, was its
The celebrated Corcoran Art Gallery, at
Washington, is free either two or three days
in a week. The philanthropist who made
the public a present of that institution in
tended that those of slender means should
not be debarred from the privilege of enjoy
ing its treasures. 1t is probable that the
founder of the Telfair Academy had the
same intention.
One free day week will not seriously
lessen the academy's admission receipts.
Indeed, it is doubtful if it will lessen them
at all. A free day will help to bring the
institution into prominence, and in that
way the number Of pay visitors will be in
creased. The purpose of the founder and
the trustees doubtless is to benefit as many
people as possible. Who will say that one
free day in seven will not help to carry out
that purposes