The record-union., 1898-09-17
ART CALLER
Recommendations of the Commit
tee on Awards.


!, tee on Awards.
Art Gallery awards were made last
night, preceded by the following re-
port of the committee:
Your Committee on the Ninth De-
partment-Art Galleries-in submit
ting it's report, begs leave to indulge
in some suggestions. The exhibits in
the department constantly increase in
number. We have this year to deal
with over 500 shown by nearly lOO
exhibitors. A sum of money is allot-
ted for distribution in compensation for
meritorious exhibitions, not as premi-
ums for competition. Your committees
do no more than distribute this sum
equitably. They never indulge in COM
mendation or criticism of any exhibits,
though often besought to do SO, since
obviously they cannot do so with jus
tice to all, without general review and
comment upon nearly all.
I'm devoting itself to distribution
your committee finds the sum allotted
insufficient if the course heretofore fol-
lowed is adhered to; that is, an en-
deavor TO award all exhibitors some
thing by way of money compensation.
This gives a large number small trifie
each, and takes from the artists whose
works constitute the stronger attrac-
tons Of the gallery money that should
go to compensate them and stimulate
them to make future exhibitions with
the society,"
I'VE find that this year the amateur
and student class is wholly unrepre-
sented in the entries, because all en-
M n a in "a Ct
the latter $3.50 has been set aside for
our distribution, while the society has
provided but $50 for the amateur
class, and two or three like sums in
special departments. As $50 would
give those properly in the amateur
class, if rightly entered, but few
| cents per exhibit, we find the whole
mass Of exhibitors with few exceptions
entered in the artist class, and must
so treat them, having no power to
make distinctions, or if we had the
power the task could not be well ac-
complished without great outlay OF
time and labor. The premium list for
the department needs thorough revis-
ion. In several respects there is gross
error in classification For instance,
we find fruits, flowers, genre paint
ing and still life grouped; SO, too, we
find water colors, pastel and crayon
work grouped when the work of black
and white should be distinctly consid-
cred from that of color.
"The true way to encourage artists,
amateurs and students alike is not only
| to keep their works distinct in schedule
entry, but also upon the walls Of the
| gallery, that each order may be viewed
and considered Independently and with
| out confusion. The exhibitor on MAX
! ing entry should be required to declare
| himself or herself for his or her proper
class, with evidence accompanying in
cases where the recipient of the entry
is in doubt as to the right to enter in
| the artist class.
1.-THE artist is he or she who follows
| art as a livelihood, or who has such
| high standing in art circles by reason
| Of his or her work as to command
| recognition as an artist. The amateur
works in art for recreation or to graf
| ify artistic tastes, is not dependent
upon it, does not maintain a studio OF
| invite art patronage. The student class
! includes those who are still pupils OF
are studying and working with a view
| Of making art work the vocation Of
| his or her life.
"A sum not less than that now al
lotted should be given, to be equitably
distributed in compensation to artists
exhibiting. All awards for amateur
and student work should be by special
| artistic diploma souvenirs, ribbon dec
| orations Of honor, or honor medals, OF
each Of these, which may remain last
| ing evidences of praiseworthy ambi-
ton.
"By this means, or some similar
method, artists will be encouraged tc
] make large and creditable exhibits
| Thus the value and attractiveness OF
the society's exhibits will be steadily
/ and greatly enhanced. At the same
| time the amateur and student class
will be more benefited by the better
ment of the public taste. thus broaden.
Ing the field of art patronage and cre-
ating conditions more favorable for the
/ entry Of the amateur into the artist
field in the fullness of time.
| In the recent instance the multitude
of works, if all awarded, something will
| operate to the discoura cement of art
lists for future exhibitions, and thus
| the attractiveness and usefulness oi
the gallery will be seriously impaired
| We have therefore omitted from G
number Of exhibits any award what
| ever, that fair compensation may bt
given for those whose works constitute
strong attractions and tend to the cul-
| tivation of art tastes among the peo.
pie. The omission mtans no reproacf
| or criticism. but only the failure Il
distribute such small sums as cannot
be considered compensation to the am
ateur, or as indicative Of the merit oi
art of his or her work: but in the ag.
gregate these lesser awards so reduce
the sum total of money given US II
distribute as to work serious injury
to the society's exhibitions by discour.
aging artists from making exhibitions
which cost them long labor, much out
lay. and involve the heavy risk of los:
by reason Of exhibiting in the gallery
THE sole purpose of these recon-
mendations-the result of several years
of committee observation--is to secure
larger benefits to amateurs and stu.