The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-09
THEY WON'T MAR THE FLOOR.
ART LEAGUE LADIES THINK
THEY'RE NOT WE'LL TREATED.

They Believe They Have n Right TO
the TeIfafr Academy for Mr. 4.
HoPIxinson Smiths Lecture-They
Look Upon Their Purpose as Being
Directly in Line with Miss Tel
fairs Desires in the Furtherance
of Art-What one of Them Has 10
Say About the Action of the Board
of Managers of the Academy-Win
See That the Floor of the Gallery i
Not Scratched.
The ladies composing the Art League
recently formed received letter from the
curators Of the Georgia Historical So
ciety yesterday stating what action had
been taken in the matter Of allowing them
the use of the academy.
The letter stated that they could not
allow the use Of the academy for the lee
ture of BIr. +. Hopkiuson Smith 10 the
art class because Miss Telfair, in her
will. stated that it should not be used
for such purposes. Upon that point Miss
Telfair's will says: THAT no part Of the
same shall be used for public meetings
and exhibitions"
The lecture TO be given by 81r. Smith,
one of the ladies said yesterday, is not
a public lecture. It is to be simply
talk TO the art class and several of the
friends of the members who take an in,
terest in the work, and in fact more Of an
art lesson than anything else.
Now that they have the opportunity to
secure a well known and prominent ar
fist, Mr.. Horace Bradley, as a teacher,
the ladies composing the league feel
very keen disappointment in not securing
q more hearty cooperation and more sub
Hrn rafA IF IGOR
of the academy. They believe that their
Efforts are in direct line with what Miss
Telfair desired, the promotion of arts and
sciences in Savannah.
The Art League now consists of about
twenty members, and others are constant
iy applying for admission.
The refusal Of the president and direc-
tors to afford any financial aid TO the
league" one of the ladies said will
probably result in its disbanding, I'M
less the personal appeal of the ladies',
which has been made TO Director Brandt,
meets with a favorable reply. There Is
on hand a sum Of about $1,000,
OF this sum. 5000 is pledged
toward a portrait which Director Brandt
IS TO paint OF Miss Telfair for the acad-
envy. The remaining $500 was raised by
q committee of ladies about 5 years ago,
and turned over to Director Brandt to
be used in purchasing picture.
AS no picture has been purchased thus
far, these ladies petitioned the president
and directors to be allowed to use that
money toward paying the salary of a
fine artist, who should be competent to
conduct classes in drawing and painting,
and the members of the Art League at
the same time requested that the pupils
might nave the use OF the pictures ana
casts in the academy, as models, and of
the studio TO hold their classes in. The
use of the studio and of the pictures and
casts has been conceded but the finan-
cial aid has been refused, although this
league seems to be in direct line with
Miss Telfair's object in establishing the
art gallery. There is now such an OPP
portunity as may never again occur to
organize classes under a first-rate teacher.
II this art league is a success 1t VIII
attract pupils from all parts of the
SOUTH indeed applications from pupils
at distance have already been received
from those who now are compelled TO
seek instruction in northern cities. 1t
has been objected, that such opportuni-
ties existed in years past and were not
utilized. on the contrary Director Brandt
had pupils at the academy, many of whom
did admirable work and there were others
who wanted to enter his classes and
who could not get in, and who in con-
sequence were compelled TO go elsewhere.
II IS well to be conservative, but some
times that virtue is carried too far.
II the money the ladies raised could
be utilized there would be no trouble in
experimenting IT from Individual sub
scriptions so that the entire sum needed
could be secured.
AN offer has been made by Mr. Hop
kinson Smith to deliver a free lecture
on art, al the Telfair Academy-the in
Xitatons to be sent out by a committee.
To many lovers of art this would be a
rare treat. but the use of the gallery is
refused chiefly, 1t seems, because the floor
might get scratched. If the
committee guarnteeS the return of
this floor in perfect condition after an
art lecture. why may not the privilege be
accorded? At present the gallery is of
little account: few go there 1t is nearly
unknown in other cities of the state, and
certainly throughout the south generally
It has not been heard of, and yet il is, for
its size, one of the best art galleries in
this country, and one of which every one
of US may be proud. But we do not make
1t the power in our midst that it deserves
70 be, and II is but short-sighted policy
that closes it against any attempt to make
1t known, and popular"