The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18

ing the year. and il is only fair TO saw
that though the patronage has never been
great, the Washington public has cor
daily supported this effort on the MARI NJ
the local artists TO give annual exhibitions
after the manner and custom of other
cities A strong and influential associate
membership compose of ladies and GEN
tiemen interested in art has enabled the
artists 10 establish the first real art gal
iery here excepting, OF course the Cor
| coranl, where large collection Of pictures
could be properly shown. The soeiety's
galleries, as 10 arrangement and light
is not surpassed by that of any ether
similar art organization in the country.
The tenth annual will be followed by an
ehhlbition OF local work at the Corcorsn
Gallery Of Art.
The trustees have for some time conten-
I plated flooring over the beautiful heIai-
cycle gallery, and, with the most modern
electric light system, including the Frick
refectors, make Of il an available gallery
for local exhibitions. which may be held
Independently OF the Corcoran Gallery Of
Art This in itself is the most important
thing that has happened in the interest Of
local art since the new gallery was built.
and, in the minds OF some, removes the
only real reason for the existence of the
Society of Washington Artists galleries.
Contracts have been let and II is expected
that the hemi-cycle will be ready for the
ladies' inaugural exhibition which is 10
open about the LIST OF May
Mrs ]. b. Henderson. herself an ANA
teur painter of ability, and one Of Wash
ingtons leading art collectors. a social
leader, and widely known and esteemed for
her enthusiasm and interest in local art
and artists has Interested many other la
dies prominent in society here in a com
prehensive exhibition of local art work
This exhibition. which is not to be con
fined to pictures never before publicly
shown here, as are those of the 6. w :.
ANIMALS. Will be of unusual interest, and
il only remains for the managers to be ex-
acting in the matter of standard of merit
in the work accepted for the exhibition TO
make II great success. II the works Of
fered are accepted fairly on their merits as
works OF art, III an impersonal fashion
there can be 70 doubt but that the con-
templated exhibition will win laurels for
the ladies anG demonstrate 10 the doubt
full that Washington possesses a band OF
artists whose collective work will com
mand the respect of a critical audience
anywhere, not excepting New York, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia. or any other larger
American cities. But a note of warning
is here sounded.
There are artists whose regulations have
DeGn wrecked Pubic exhibition or
work incomplete or carelessly drawn, or in
some other way inferior to the standard
they have reached In previous exhibitions,
and If caution is not exercised in the mat
ter OF accepting work for the proposed
Corcoran exhibition the display may be
pulled down TO level OF mediocrity, and
the good important work shown make 1t all
the more apparent to the critical observer
that large exhibition is not necessarily a
good enc, and that a first class picture
show can only be made by selecting the
better pictures from the mass that are in
variably submitted TO the exhibition jury.
The best wishes and gratitude OF the ar
fists go with Mrs. Henderson and the ex-
cellent ladies who are TO conduct this i'm
portant new venture In the field of local
art. There Is room for two permanent or
CARNATIONS here Il IL seems desirable.
Such rivalry could not but be stimulating
and In the end bring about that time con-
fideDtly anticipated by the writer when the
Washington school viii make a world wide
reputation for artistic sensitiveness and
skill second TO no other city In America
not even New York. which is too cosmo-
politan TO be individual.
JAMES HENRY MOSER,