The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-08-19
A TALENTED ARTIST.
Miss lola Keen, a Native of Westminster,
Rises to Prominence as Mural
Decorator.
From the Baltimore sun, August l..


Manager James L. Herman Of The Auditorium
and the Monumental Theatres has the honor oil
having discovered a young mural decorator oil
unusual talent.
Toward the close of the last theatrical season. as
Mr. Herman was walking down the street he was
attracted by gracefully executed decorated paiei
in the window of II store. Inquiry developed 'he
fact that the artist was Miss lola Keen, young
la3y not more than IS or 10 years old, and the
daughter OF Mr.. John II. Keen, Of 1913 Linden
avenue.
As Mr.. Herman planning to have some uecv-
native panels placed in the Auditorium during the
summer he called upon the young lady, ana "He'
discussing plans selecting subjects and suggesting
the character Of the designs lie wished TO be used
he intrused the work to Miss Keen, He found
very soon that the work was going to he SO satis-
factory that besides the series of l. panels when
he had ordered for the ceiling OF the theatre ne
ordered several panels for the palm garien ana
freize for the reception room
These orders are all for separate pieces when
can be PAINTED in Miss keeu's studio. and then
either pasted on the walls Of the rooms for when
they are intended or stretched on frames and then
put in place. Mr. Herman much pleased
with the work on canvas of his "hud, as he calls
Miss Keen, that he engaged her To do some accuTa
tive work directly upon the walls OF the staircase
lcsllttlS 10 hllt EFtt Ai'iGSi tti tt'N N'ttl't
orchestra circle, and also gave her an order to
paint drop curtain.
All this would have seemed an abundant measure
OF success for not only such young girl, but for
an artist Of much more mature year. But Miss
Keen seems % have been boru under lucky star
aud what would have more than satisfied most
people was Just the beginning Of success for her.
Mr. Charles + Fond saw some 81 Miss keeu's WORK
and was - much pleased with II that he gave her
practically carte blanche for the decoration 81
Fonts Theatre Then other oriers followed shi1k
aud ftst-ouicrs from private individuals who 50"
specimens ot Miss Keens dainty spirited nark for
decorations OF music roum>, Of drawing r"nUls, %
halls and from clubs for simiSr g. donations for
clubhou~c> Mis- Keen has on her iistnow enough
work 10 keep her busy 'oT the neV; four years.
woEN QUICKLY lzoSE
The Panels fnr The main auditorium Of Nj. her-
mans theatre were anishei 10 less Ehan q ma"ih-
Zach Is nine dze, long and 50 iuses hrsl. anil Is
decorated wIth female figure, thc series represent
in, fame fortune comedy. tragedy and The s1a-
sons. etc. The panels we've fslu.ct a Miss hcgus
.,adia u her o. home ana after ail were aatshsa
were g.as lu place 10 the Auditorium. 4 IS assIat
Ia mural acrolon Of thtssogt o. apply the canvas
directly 10 toe walt Instead 20 doing this Nf.
Neruau has had she canvas TGt an s;1yteher sftd
put in place So tal- say tbe sI-e - ,he canvas
being concealed hy Eilt hAu3 Iar method 81
stretching wa. us-I ID rrrfereuee g. any other
ln.ic q applying 60 She walls as tae panels eaH.l
ls used asaiu II the zu;lre tust,uE srsr E,s'sea
raseS4 81 shy tsae
..Faus- srst aFsyf4ure are ryrFv~es.t,-! - the
two fsuefs vhlrb srs nearest lse STAR Pause
i rrpr, .rutpa bu,aine ala0 :hg trrups, shru.rh
ahstA he praslal1us the aestrs us Acr avosi,c.,
Fargaas j. represented as .fsnsuaE golden
fref sa.asst