The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-18
TIE NEW Act BUILDING.

The Centennial exhibition came st
time when the aesthetic taste in America
was ready TO be awakened. There were
already young men who had studied art in
Paris, Rome and Munich, who laughed
with scorn at what the average American
academician produced. Indeed, in 1875
few Of these established the Art Students
league of New York and began teaching
modern French art. Then came the exhi-
bition and it's effect in instructing the mil
lions that beauty for its own sake he'd a
value distinct from any question OF ability.
That was blow indeed TO the old fogies
of the academy. Yet there was another
serious blow in store, but the "conserva~
tives" did not recognize it even when 1t
had fallen.
In 1877 the Society OF American Artists
was formed with eighteen mentors, and
they gave an exhibition. | well remember
how old fashioned people scofTcd at the
'young fellows" as these daring innoya-
tors were called. Some Of the critics also
made merry. But the 'young fellows" did
not seem 20 mind either derision or merri-
ment. They went steadily on, holding ex
hibitions year after year, until in the course
Of time the exhibitions Of the new society
were generally considered TO be Of much
more consequence than those OF the acad-
envy.
Then the old organization saw that no
tice must be taken Of this new and vigor~
Gus rival. So some of the leading MEM
bers were elected to the academy, and in
some instances the new academicians left
the society But this was by no means the
rule, and the losses were not great, nor
were they of consequence, for in its fifteen
years OF life the societys membership has
increased from eighteen 10 ll9. But tho
society until now has never had any per-
manent abiding place, and the annual
exhibitions had to be held where suitable
halls could be secured. This is no longer
the case, rs the society will hereafter have
in the beautiful building in Fifty-seventh
street, near Broadway the best art gal
leries on this continent. How TO secure
such a place was q serious problem for the
young fellows" not many Of whom are
millionaires. But their method Of solving
the problem has brought into life the most
important art organization that has ever
existed in the western world.
The Art Students League and the So
ciety Of American Artists have always
been closely related by sympathy, and the
members Of the Architectural league OF
New York-a society composed Of all the
most prominent metropolitan architects
very naturally belonged to the same art
family. When it became necessity fer
these three societies to find permanent
homes they concluded to unite in the for
nation Of another organization and found
"A common home The result may be seen
in the splendid building now just finished
in FifUy-seveuth street. In this the Archi-
tectural league and the Society OF Ameri-
can Artists each has clubrOOm, and the
Art Students league has classrooms and
the best and most approved facilities for
the study OF art. Besides these there ara
the galleries before alluded to. These have
wall space very mucn larger than those
of the National academy, and as they ara
all on the ground floor great crowds Of Wis
itors can be comfortably handled.
In forming this union each Of the three
societies preserves its corporate separate
ness. but the stockholders Of the new or.
ganization--the American Fine Arts soci-
ety-are the members of the three societies.
This stock OF $4,000 WAS not nearly ade-
quate TO do what has been done. 70 assist
the undertaking there was formed trust
fund, 10 which many rich men have con
tributed This fund will be administered
by trustees for twenty-one years and then
IL will be turned over TO the society, which
it is TO be presumed will by that time he
permanently and substantially endowed
The new home OF this new art movement
will be opened this week. On Dee. the
members OF the press will be invited 10
look at the pictures in what is called
Retrospective exhibition or the Society u
American Artists; then on the next even
ing there will be great reception in tho
galleries. To this reception have been in
vited the chief men and women In New
York interested in art either as producers.
critics or patrons, and - there - much
curiosity To see what has been done there
Is very apt 10 be great crush. On Mon
day, Dec. ), the exhibition viii be thrown
open 10 tie public and remain open till
Christmas day. Every art lover IN tho
land viii wish this new undertaking
abundant success. and a long. prosperous
and progressive life.
JNO. GUaER SPEED