The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07
GENTLE HINTS TO ARTISTS
The Exhibit of the Society of
Washington Fakirs.

Unlerstood That the Display IL In
| tended for Criticism. and Not Bur
lesaue or Imitntiou-Must BE Seen
to He Thoroughly Appreciated.
Tomorrow the Society of Washington
lakirs makes it's bow to its appreciative
| public for the third time. In the rooms
OF the society in the building of the Art
! Students League for days hammers have
| been changing and step ladders grooming.
| Now nearly all the pictures are hung.
| The work of the hanging committee was
finished amid heart burnings and anguish.
| and all pictures submitted were hung on
the line. Every exhibitor is now awaiting
| the verdict OF the dear public.
a wonderful array of fine art work is
| shown, and it must he seen to be appre-
| ciated prerequisite to the proper un-
I Outstanding of the exhibit of the Fakirs
is visit to the exhibition by the Society
I of Washington Artists, now being held
in the Hemicycle of the Corcoran Art
! Gallery. The Society of Fakirs individu-
ally and collectively disavow being imita-
tors or copyists in any respect of the
work OF the artists exhibiting at the Cor
coran Gallery. They pretend only TO cor
rect any glaring errors they have observ-
ed, and to offer, in their modest way. hints
and suggestions to the painters whose
works are hung in the Hemicycle.
| That their efforts may be more readily
| understood the Washington Society of
Fal<irs have issued most elaborate cat
! alogue, which is It sort of wade mecum,
! Eaedeker, and silent courier to the show.
The catalogue bears upon its title page
| the announcement that it is condensed
list of the true titles of authors and works
shown by the S. w. A and that it was
Printed for cold cash, 1891
The foreword. which purports to have
| been done into English by Ann Drew
Slang, states succinctly the purpose of the
| Falcirs in giving the show. 1t says: The
I Society OF Washington Fakirs, In present
| ing its third annual exhibition thinks it
well to preface this catalogue with few
words explanatory of its purpose. AS is
well known, the interest in progress of
art in the Capital was for many years
at low ebb, and only through the patient
and persistent efforts of the Fakirs has
a great part of this Indifference been over
come and the general public forced to re-
| al;ze how much talent was hiding its light
under bushel of ignorance.
Although but in it's third season, many
| young and struggling artists have by its
aid been brought to a degree of promi-
hence for which years of work in the ordi-
| nary course of study would not have suf-
riced. While not neglecting out of town
workers, the Fakirs have always made
! point of encouTa ging home talent They
/ have extensively advertised the fact that
there is a society Of artists modestly but
| hopefully awaiting public approval.
| Three years ago the Society of Wash
ington Artists was holding its excellent
] hi in, cd
which barely accommodated the members
| of the members families, who sympathet-
! ically gazed upon the familiar canvas. 1t
was then that the Fakirs discovered them,
and this year the group of struggling
! artists thus encouraged and stimulated,
| is holding its exhibition in the magnifi-
cent Corcoran Art Gallery, With Agui-
naldo ell route to lend the grace of his
august presence. 1t is far from the idea
| of the Fakirs to discourage merit. but
| they have at all times fearlessly rebuked
error and affectation. With a smile for
those who heed us. and sigh for those
| who don't, wont, we shall serenely
| amble on and
When earth's last picture IS painted,
| And the tubes twisted and dried,
And the Oldest cOors have faded
| And the youngest critic has dlet,
We shall rest, and faith,
| WE SHALL NEED 1T.
| With this statement of principles duly
| set forth the members of the Society of
Washington Fakirs have given their at
| tention especially to the exhibit by the
| Society of Washington Artists, and what
| they offer on the walls of their small gall
| lery they claim to be merely gentle hints,
| suggestions, and quiet criticism.
The following are the officers of the so
ciety as set forth in the catalogue under
| the title of Chief Cooks: Richard y.
| Brooke, chef; Lucien Powell. vice chef
| acknowledges is POwen'D James Henry
| Moser schratcher c'The pen is mightier
| than the sword'D; Robert Coleman Child,
! holder of the dough CT enfant terrible }.
| Among the ''eXtinguished patronizers
| who will lend the eclat of their name and
| presence to the opening night are Count
| Yerchicens b. Fortheyhatsch. Duke Unto
| r. Sho Colonel OKorn, Mrs. Good Asa
! mile Major Maddas Hopes, Kip Ling,
| Sir lie missioner, Chessep Exc Bey,
Capt. de Climax, General Humidity,
| Signor Dooit, and many others whose
| names, perhaps under a different orthog-
! raphy. are familiar to all.
other distinguished guests We're to have
| come. but some. such as King Edward,
/ declined at the last moment. His Britain
mic Majesty, in explaining the necessity
| for his absence. says: Il find travelling
| very difficult, as | have not broken in
| my new shoes" President Mckinley
| bition and reception in the Corcoran Art
| Gallery under the impression that he was
| the guest of the jolly Fakirs 1t was
| not until | received your very kind invi-
| tation,'' he concluded, that | realized my
| mistake.
| In approaching their exhibit and in get
| ting cut their catalogue the members of
| the society profess great modesty in the
| following words
| On a certain little subject,
II We exercised wits,
| We could be so dreadful funny
| It. ud drive you into fits.
| It's the chance that once lifetime
| Makes us geniuscs feel cheered,
We could he killing funny,
But all too skeered.
We could fill this little book right up
With awful funny jokes,
So you'd 70 and lay dozen
| To take home the folks.
| We could set yer all a laughin',
| And keep yer, il we deered,
But artists are 30 sensitive.
And we're all too skeered.
| good portion of the remaining writing
parts of the catalogue il given up to COM
| ment in a more or less light vein. on
| WASHINGTON artists and their work. in
! Guiding a number of amusing things per
| tanning to art in general. III of which are
| keen and good natured The catalogue
proper is headed List Of Fakes and