The times., 1898-11-20
THE WATER COLOR CLUB
Its Third Annual Exhibition
Will Be Opened Tomorrow.
A CREDIT TO WASHINGTON
Some Remarks On the Clubs Origin
Early Kindness From the Cosmos
Pastels and Water CoIors-Wherc
the Present Exhibition Differs
From Former Ones-Art Notes.

The third annual exhibition OF the
Washington Water Color Club will open
tomorrow with flourish of trumpets and
big sign on Connecticut avenue-a sign
that tells the news to the casual passer-
by who happens to be within hearing dis
tance Yes, it is a loud sign for an
tistic organization. Artists are so modest,
some of them condemning anything in
the way of a sign more conspicuous than
an engraved personal card tackled on the
studio door. But our artists are begin
ming to see that if people are to know
there is an art exhibition open they must
follow the course pursued in other large
Cities and conduct it on business lines;
and doubtless they are right. A hint of
the commercial quality in a picture is al
ways deplorable. but once the picture is
signed il becomes a pure matter of busi-
ness how the artist shall dispose of 1t and
thus obtain the means to produce more.
The third annual exhibition of the W.
W. c. C. is a good show and is decidedly
better in small pictures of high
quality than that of last year.
but il is lacking in the large pictures of
the former presentment, usually pastels
dignity to the show and made the eollec-
tion seem like, and in a sense, rival of
the oil exhibitionS-they take away much
of that distinctive quality that is essen
tial to a water color exhibition. This year
the water cOlors are decidedly in evidence
and ii is their innings-which will please
the lovers of water color pure and SIM
pie. Pastels are the peer OF oil at any
time, and appear in both oil and water
color eXhibitions-here to the disadvan-
tase of both. There should be exhibit
Jions of pastels exclusively, and there
will be some day and mark this: when
the pastelists open their doors the oil
and water color painters will have to
content themselves with fighting for sec
ond and third place for the pastels will
easily hold the field against all comers.
1t is interesting 10 know how the found
ers of the water color club, a couple of
ladies, conceived the idea, and with femi-
nine suddenness rushed round in a cab
among their artist friends and called a
meeting Ii was to be ladies only, but
some of the organizers declared that
without the men it would be too dull or
something, and so men were invited
That first meeting,-some nine men and
three women present,-embarrassi as
this was in the face of the original plan.
These courageous women stood their
ground and, with that ever energetic
gauizer and excellent painter, Mr.. Parker
Mann as president, the club was placed
on a solid foundation with printed con-
stitution and prospects. The first eXhi-
bition was held successfully at the Cos
mos Club the one club in the city whose
friendly wing has ever sheltered the
young art organizations whenever they
sprang into being, and whose cordial en-
couragement has been considerable
factor in the development of both the
Of -l,s
Water Color Club.
So. from the first the Water Color
Club exhibitions have been popular with
the public and now fairly divide the
honOrs with the older organiza tion-the
Society of Washington Artists. There is
naturally warm and very cordial feel
ing between the members of the two or
ganizations and the rivalry is the friend
Hest, and this for the very excellent rea-
son that the members of the one are sub
stantially if not entirely members of the
other.
That oil and water do not mix is pro-
verbal. and the combination exhibitions
OF the S. W. A, where oil and water COL
ors We're shown together were never quite
satisfactory. The water colors fretted
and turned pale. while the oils tried to
appear unconscious of their dainty neigh
bors. The oils We're, however never
quite able 10 conceal their noisy heavi-
ness.
But the water colors club. though young
but three years old-has the courage of
youth and makes a brave showing this
year at The S. W. \. galleries. If it con-
tnues progressive one may prophesy al
most anything when it shall have reached
its teens" There is no decorative dis
play. all Is very quiet and simple. The
handsome Connecticut Avenue galleries
have been freshened up and look with
this fine array of water-colors. very n
viting.
The places of honor are considered to