The age-herald., 1899-11-14
RARE CONFEDERATE RELICS
Memorials of the War of the Ameri- can Revolution-The Great Suc- cess of the Woman's De-
 partment at Fair.
BY ANNIE KENpRIoK WALKER

mDltS at the fair will convince even the most casual observer that these collections are worthy of the larger expositions of the country. They are in the nature of lib- eral education, and to once visit these ex- hibits means as frequent visits thereafter as one can possibly spare the time The art collection is admirably placed, so that one gets fine view of the exhibit from almost every part on the second floor of the fair building.
 The exhibit includes the work of several Birmingham artists, whose collection has been so admired in their studios and which will, in time, result in loan exhibits two three times a year. The Birming- ham Art club has already announced its in- tention of making exhibits the last Satur- day in each month, and the fine collection at the fair will serve a stimulus to the art lovers in the city and will result in making the exhibits through the writer. Quite as permanent as the oratorjos the musical fes- tival and other yearly features to which the public looks forward. The examples of china painting which are the work of Mrs. Mary Raulston, one of the best known of Chicago artists have caused all the maids and matrons to go into ecstasies at the thought of china cabinets that needed to be oranmented. Mrs. Rauston's work has al- ready been commented upon at length in these columns, but her work is really so exquisite and reveals the wonderful possi- bilities of china painting to such degree that it is impossible to speak of the art exhibit at the fair without again mention ing the china exhibits which are now recognized by the art schools in the country as worthy of place in their catalogues.
 Mrs Baker, of Tuscumbia, also exhibits fine examples of china decoration.
 The collection of miniatures is contributed by Miss NJ Beardsley Miss Mattie Lee Patton, of Huntsville, and others. Miss
 Beardseys work is done on porcelain, and Miss Patton's work is exclusively of ivory miniatures. She has studied for number of years Under Chase and her miniatures are famous all over the south. She has re- produced on ivory many of the celebrities beauties of the south-and her case of miniatures at the fair is regarded by art lovers as exceedingly rare and artistic.
 Miss Carrie Hill of Birmingham exhibits a number of charming bits of water colors, and her work shows to fine advantage. MT. Jackson Halsteads collections of water col OrS IS eAQulSlle. MS. 4heiy VOONS 0A New Decatur includes in her exhibit decor ated leather portiers, and examples of py- rography, the neatest fad in art The col lection of oils, black and white sketches, water colors, etc., is remarkably fine, and the exhibit is attracting wide attention not alone in the art world, but to the lovers of art as well, who realize the possibilities Of a permanent exhibit in the future. The di- rector of the art exhibit at the fair, Mrs. Soon Jacobs, has worked with unfagging interest to make the collection success and it should be said in passing that the exhibit was catalogued, and placed betore the opening of the fair, which Is not always the case with exhibits which are collected from various parts of the state. The prem- iums will be awarded today and tomorrow, and the names of exhibitors will then be attached to each collection, and this will add to the interest of the exhibits, for while the collection as whole has interested all art lovers still the majority of persons have a natural curiosity to know the name of each exhibitor. Those who are at all fa- mfliar with the work of Birmingham artists have of course recognized their collections. and have become more firmly convinced
 
 semi annual art exhibit The exhibit of the Birmingham Art League few years ago, however, demonstrated the possibilities of loan exhibits by Birmingham artists
 With the great interest which the art coi- lection at the fair has aroused, the follow ing clipping will be of interest to the pro- rnoters of ert in the city as it recalls the initiative step taken by Btrminghamsartlsts towards forming an art league. Caroline C. Lowell, in writing recently in Womans Work upon the subject of art ana art leagues in Alabama, says:
 .In Birmingham and Mobile two art leagues have been established; in Mont somery, an ant club; aud in different parts of tine state there are individual artists at work. who must inspire some interest in fine subject This is probably not the case fin any other southern state. The Sophie Newcome Art School in New Orleans is the only one of any importance, though there is the nucleus of a good school in Savan- nah; one has been founded for several years in Charleston; and Baltimore possessed very fine school number of years ago.
 Birmingham probably originate the first art league in this state, which grew out Of an art club organized by Mrs. E. c. Stew ems and Mrs. William l.. Lowell, Jr., dur ing the winter of 1891. The first reception and exhibition was held in the spring of 1882 when a most creditable collection of dra wings was exhibited. It was during this winter that MT. W. D. Parish arrived from the north, and Miss Louise Lewis returned from several years of study abroad, both opening studios in the city. Miss Lewis was engaged to criticise the work of the league, and was succeeded on her depart- ure for Nashville the following winter by Mir. Parish, xtno continued in charge for several years. A most gratifying progress