The age-herald., 1898-01-26
Women's Art Clubs and
 The General Federation

The General Federation Mrs Ellen NJ. Henrotin, president of the General Federation, manifests an increas- ing and commendable interest in the ad- vancement of women's clubs, even if she does give vent to tactless speeches some . times. -ss
 The other day Mrs. Henrotin was dis cussing the force and. influence of indixld- uality, and unwittingly remarked that very few persons make any positive lm- .. pression upon me through their person. ality; of the thousands of women that I meet every year, only about twenty-hye impress me to any degree" Considering the number that have contributed to Mrs -Henrotn's notoriety, this was very grace less and ungracious remark. Evidently the twenty-five women that she finds agree able annually are retained in her treach- erous memory because of culinary genius; no doubt this number wine, dine, lunch and otherwise contribute to her physical well-being on her various triumphant tours in different states.
 Alabama women should be prepared to treat Mrs. Henrotin when she comes among them in such a way that she will
  recollections of more than twenty-five above-the average specimens of southern womanhood. A few lunches or dinners will do the business.
 As Mrs. Henrotin crates herself and crates very poorly, it will not be wise to force any unpleasant contrasts and com parisons upon her attention.
 Still, if Mrs. Henrotin is not espe- cally gifted orator, and if she will make taetless remarks, she is devoted to wo- mems clubs, and never seems to lose in- terest in their advancement and improve ment. In a recent article she has the fol- lowing to say regarding womens art clubs: Many of the clubs which belong to the General Federation are art clubs, and hitherto no especial provision, either in the programmes of the biennials or in the sug- gestions sent out for programmes by the general or state federations, have met the requirements of such clubs. At the last meeting of the Federation, in Nashville, Mrs Hall, president of the Arche club. or Chicago, introduced at the request of her club a motion to establish department of art in connection with the General Feder- ation, in which department the art sections of clubs could be represented. session at the next biennial will be devoted to the interest of art clubs.
 Most of the Chicago art clubs, as well as the department clubs, have not been content with a study of art in their own clubs, but have been endeavoring to en- courage art and artists in their community. The Klio club of Chicago has for three or four years held an annual exhibition of pictures by the women artists of Chi cago. The Arche club has held regularly a Spring Salon." in which the men and women artists have exhibited, and both I, itt.xr of artists composing the committee of . awards. These exhibits have been very z. popular Hull House, that great social set clement, has, under the inspiration of Miss Ellen G. Starrs enthusiasm, held 'loan ex' hibits," which have been largely attend. | ed by the members of the various clubs of which Hull House Is the center.
 In the Masonic building the Aloha club have rooms and they have collected there the best art library outside the great public libraries of Chicago. Membership to the library is $1 a year, and in connec- ton with the membership series of art talks are held, called the "Altruia Round Table" Any one can join the class who is interested in art. The library is very artistically decorated with fine casts, and from 12 to 1 tea is served to the members, and a large number of young ladies avail themselves of the privilege of taking lunch in these beautiful surroundings bringing their own lunch. The custodian is delighted to welcome visitors, and this artistic little corner in the heart of a great city Is a restful and inspiring place. The presiding genius of the entire move ment is Mrs Sherwood, whose work in the young woman's clubs has frightened the life of so many of their members and quickened their artistic perceptions.
 Many of the state federatfons are ia~ teresting themselves in the artistic a1cera- tion of the public schools. The Nes Hampshire State Federation has, through the Manchester clubs, taken a keen inter- est in this subject. The Minnesota State Federation has an art bureau in connec- tion with the state federation, from which lectures are furnished on art topics illus trated by photographs. Tn Minnesota Federation intends t. pur- chase stereopticons, which will be sent to clubs belonging to the state federation to illustrate art lectures.
 The, Wisconsin State Federation has published a bureau of information in the shape of a little circular, and among other departments represented is that of art giving the name, address and terms of speakers on art topics. It is thus within the power of any club of the Wisconsin Federation to illustrate art lectures.
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