The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-08-14
SUMMER ART SCHOOL.
A Project That Should Greatly Inter-
est Montpelier,

Editor Of Daily JournaE:-May 1 ask the
assistance Of your esteemed publication in
bringing to the attention of its readers the
opportunity of promoting Montpelier's well
fare particularly, and the welfare of Ver-
mont generally, which is presented TO them
by the recent letter issued by the trustees
OF the Wood Art Gallery, soliciting the CO.
operation OF the good people of the com
munity and the State in the further devel-
opment of the Art Gallery.
Tho Gallery has now reached q stage in
its development which renders that COOP
Grafton not only desirable, but necessary,
in order to accomplish fully the purposes of
its founders and its foundation Established
and sustained by few persons, it has now
become one OF the most important galleries
in New England, and it is already attract
ing the attention of the travelling public.
During single afternoon of week before
last more than one hundred persons visited
the Gallery, not one fourth of whom were
known o the custodian.
To one who knows what art galleries
have done for the small cities in Europe,
the claim does not appear extravagant that
the Wood Art Gallery may be made to con-
tribute as largely to the prosperity OF this
community as any institution within 1t. In
order to demonstrate clearly how moderate
this statement is, let me point out to your
readers an opportunity which now lies di-
rectly in our path, but which, II not speed
lily improved, may be soon lost. There are
cities OF New York, PHI ladelphs and Bos-
ton. Hundreds OF these annually follow
their instructors, during the summer sea-
son, to places in the country. AS yet all OF
the summer art schools thus established
are schools for landscape painting. No
summer school for figure painting and mod
cling has, as yet, been established outside
Of the large cities. The reason for this is
that, down to this time, the proper facilities
for this work have not existed outside of the
q O hnilHinu
containing proper rooms for classes, and q
gallery containing casts and paintings, are
necessary. Montpelier is about the only
place in the United States we'll fitted for a
Summer sojourn, which possesses these IA.
cilities; and in addition to these, Montpelier
offers excellent surroundings for landscape
work. With the advantages furnished by
the Wood Art Gallery, cannot see why, If
we move promptly, we may not, within
| very few years have summer art school
here. with several hundred pupils.
| Such an institution would certainly con-
tribute very largely to the prosperity Of the
community. In the first place, 1t would
| promote the esthetic culture OF the people.
In the second place, it would bring artists
here who would help to increase the con-
tents OF the Gallery, In the third place, it
would bring students and visitors here who
would quicken business in the shops hotels
and boarding houses. And, finally, it would
| give Montpelier and Vermont a heightened
|
ment and culture.
All this may be accomplished by little
cordial cooperation en- the part OF the good
people of this community with the trustees OF
the Wood Art Gallery. The trustees have
| asked this cooperation under the form OF an
invitation to large number OF individuals
in Montpelier, and considerable number
elsewhere in the State, to become associate
members of the Wood Art Gallery. The
response from the outside has been prompt
| md ffpin ct thn tatip.
guished citizens Of the State, among them
Senator Proctor, Ex-Governor Smith and
General Mccullough, have enrolled them
selves as members. We need three hum
dred members, at least, from this city and
vicinity. May we not count upon the
assistance OF the JOURNAL and its patrons
in the furtherance OF this important work.
Very truly yours,
JOHN W. BURGESS.
Aug, 8, 1901.