Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-10
THE ART CLUBS WORK
WHAT THIS INSTITUTION HAS DONE
IN ITS THREE YEARS.
LOOKS TO WELL-EQUIPPED SCHOOL.
Plans Being Perfected for more
Fully Developing the Facilities Tor
prouchinE Exhibition

AS the eliminating event OF the year
with the Richmond Art Club, the annual
| spring exhibition. draws near, it is natu-
raj to take a look at the past history Of
| an organization which has done so much
| for art culture in Richmond and 10 con-
slider its prospects for future and en-
| largcd usefulness. The Art Club IS now
! in its third year. During the first two
| years the charter members and those at
| forwards elected from time TO time num-
| bered 1O7. Many of these ladies and gen
| temen only Joined the club with the
laudable view Of helping its beginning; a
number OF others never took any active
| part in it's life, and soon dropped out
| OF all classes the club has lost by resig-
nation or departure from the city forty
| seven. AS just stated many Of these
had never taken any active interest or
| part in the affairs of the club. During
the present season, beginning october /,
| 1891. there have been tWenty-nine add
| tons to the membership, which now con-
| sists OF twelve patrons and ninety-three
| active members. Almost all Of these
| members, Of both classes, as the list
| stands now, are either actual workers in
some branch Of art or take a warm, per-
| sonal interest I'm the success of the club,
a state Of affairs which has contributed
| greatly TO the success OF the present
| season. While much good work was
done during the first two years, it is adj
mitted by all that the season IS by far
the most successful In general interest
felt, in the zeal with which the mem
bers have worked. the increased at
tendance on the classes, and, not least
| in importance, in its financial condition,
the club has surpassed all records Of pre-
vious years.
PROGRESS OF THE CLASSES.
Regularly on each Monday night classes
in drawing from life and from the cast
have been carried on. and the attendance
has been large and the character of the
work has been satisfactory. On Wednes-
day OF each week there is a class in
water-color painting, AND on Thursday
q class in cast drawing. y series OF lee
lures on artistic anatomy has also been
given by a member Of the club. DR..
John W. Brodnax, Demonstrator Of A
atomy al the University College OF Medi-
cine. 1t Is gratifying to note as an evil
dence of the increased desire Of mem
bers 20 use the advantages offered by the
club, that i'm the two preceding years
only about 70 per cent Of the members
attended the classes or worked at the
rooms while this year at least % per
cent. do so.
Too much praise cannot be given to the
unselfish devotion Of the ladies and gen
tlemen who have so freely and generous
ly given their time and talents to in
structing the various classes Among
these have been Mr. T. v Valentine,
|
Sheppard, Miss Lily Logan Mrs. Henry
williams Mrs. George Ben. Johnston,
Mrs. NJ c. PattesOn, Mr.. Cornelius Han
kins, Mrs. Kate Marshall, and DIR. John
w. Brodnax. 1t IS the earnest wish of
the club 10 be able 20 give more eX-
tended teaching In the various classes OF
art work and il is hoped that in another
year tho plan may be carried out. To
do this eftectually large membership
will have to be secured, as ii is impossi-
bic for any person 10 give gratuitousy
as much of their time as would be re-
quired for the amount Of instruction ii is
desired to afford
THE SCHOLARSHIP PATRONS.
In addition TO volunteer instruction as
a. present. IL is desired that teachers
may be regularly employed, and paid, not
by members directly but out Of the funds
idea. plan was adopted at the April
meeting Of the Executive Committee 10
have i'm addition 10 the present class OF
patrons. another class, who are at pres
ent STYLED Scholarship Patrons" and
who, on payment OF 81 per year, shall not
only have the privileges of the present
patrons, but shall, in addition, be enti-
tied TO name one person acceptable 10
the committed. who shall be entitled 10
all of the privileges of the club in regard
10 classes. etc. In this way many per-
sons having undoubted talent, but who
cannot afford 20 pay membership dues,
NAV be given a training in art studies;
or. at least, in the necessary preliminary
ones Of drawing from the cast and from
life. It is hoped that many persons in
Richmond will become patrons. and assist
the club I'm establishing the classes rs de-
sired. Nine dollars a year is but triiiing
amount to many citizens; but If the club
can gain even twenty-five such additional
members the good work can be begun.
with a still larger membership, IL can be
carried stil further, more commodiOus
and convenient rooms can be secured,
and the scope Of the instruction given
ar be greatly enlarged. The Art Club.
I'm its club feature. is. and has been from
for artists and those interested i'm art,
and il is not intended that this feature
shall be allowed To become less impor-
taut Instead Of this. it is hoped and eX-
pccted 10 be made even more attractive.
WELLEQUIPPED ART SCHOOL.
But the chief wish and desire Of the
members Of the club is that they may be
able 10 found and carry on a fully
squippcd art school, and this they certain
~ can and viii do if they receive proper
support No one who has not looked into
the matter knows how much artistic
talent there is i'm Richmond. and II is
needless in this enlightened age TO speak,
not only of the aesthetic. but of the
practical advantages Of an art school TO
n city Let the people Of Richmond sup
mort the Art Club, and the result in a
few years will be most gratifying. IL Is
NOT the wish nor intention Of the club 10
I'm any way complete with or conflict
with private teachers; as Indeed, the
teachers have been among the best
friends Of the club. Nor is il at all in
tended by the Executive Committee TO
prohibit members from. as has been for
ferlv done organizing classes and en-
ploying any member of the club TO in
,truct them. The new classes spoken OF
1re only I'm addition to all other facilities
offered 10 members.
In point Of equipment. the club Is stead
ily improving. and additions are made as
means will admit. number Of new
casts have been bought during the year
and other aids 10 facilitate the work OF
the members have been supplied
ono ~ the most ENJOYABLE features Of