The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-29
AN ARTISTIC EXHIBIT.
Beautiful Ornaments of Seaweed I'm
the Atlanta woman's CLUB.

We have all seen at some time in our
lives, tiny specimens of seaweed,
mounted on cardboard scarcely larger
than visiting card, and have admired
the delicacy of the feathery forms and
rich coloring; and a few of us have
been fortunate enough to see collec-
tions in museums, where such things
are expected to be found.
But what a surprise and a feast OF
soul awaits those who have not yet
visited the collection now on exhibit
ticn in the rooms of the Atlanta Wo-
mans Club. writes a contributor to
the Atlanta Journal
The first thing that strikes enc on
entering the room is the size of the col
lection.
We are forced to the conclusion that
the Woman's Club has suspended ac-
tivties in its usual routine to simply
revel in beauty for a while. Desks
and chairs have given place to long
tables, which line the walls and NIL
the center of the room, and on these
tables lying on white cardboard or rich
NelVots, and even hung in the meshes
Cf lace are these maryels OF the ssa,
in every variety of form, texture, and
color.
TO me their most wonderful chaTac-
teristic is the line of motion, inherited
from the sea which gave them birth,
ana which invariably expresses per
feet and eXQuis- lie grace; and built up
on this the large masses of 1ilmy color
resembling more the mesh of a brush
than a living plant, or the delicate
terny tTacerieS that give the student
desperate feeling Of helplessnes5 at the
mere hint Of an attempt to paint them.
The work of preparing and arrang-
ing these is no slight task. and we can
not fan to admire the loving patience
and unfailing taste of the WOmanly
hands that have accomplished il.
In point Of adaptation they suggest
at once embroidery and china painting
l have longed always to see these
beauties take the place OF the dead
nSn lying on green slab of grass,
" Which has so long served as inspiration
TO the china decorator.
tbs exhibit is an education both
ethically and aeSthetically. 1t is fun
of life and inspiration, and no artist
or student should MISS it,
Wise men have been trying to con-
vince US Of the falsity of our conceit-
GU nblien lildi beauty bloSSOlliS anu
blows alone for the edification Of the
human race. | myself am becoming
convinced, audacious as it may seem,
in the face OF such august presence,
Of the equal falsity Of their theory that
il is because of the selfish law of pre-
ServatiOn of species alone that in the
Spring a livelier iris changes on the
FURNISHED dove" or that a plant arr
rays itself in bright colors for delecta-
ton Of butterfly or bee.
We have wondered and surmised
over the fact that full many a flower
was born TO blush unseen on our
mountains and plains where no human
eye can see, but when We turn our
thought to the life of the sea our Won
der grows apaCe. Why all this mar
Vicious beauty, unsurpassed by any
thing on land. hidden here in the mys-
FERROUS depths of ocean. where only the
mermaid and siren Of mythical lore
can feast their eyes withal?
Is there not a deeper reason than
either human vanity or the narrow
range Of mans philosophy can furnish
for all this apparent waste?
Beauty is simply an inherent quail
ity in the mind of God, which must Of
necessity manifest itself continually,
and in all places OF his dominion!