The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-02
IMPORTANCE OF ART
TO BEAUTY OF CITY
Subject Discussed by President
Johnson of Richmond Club.
INTEREST In ART GROWING
The Club Doing Better Work Than
Ever and Projecting Even Greater
Things-What Art Has Done
For Other Cities.
INTEREST IN ART GROWING

l'ne Following very interesting article
on the Richmond Art club and It's work
WAS written by Mr. 3. T. Johnson. its
president by request. for the SUNDAY
Times, but OWING 10 the crowded condi-
zion OF the paper IL had TO be held over
until to-day
editor Of The Times:
Sir:-I'hc struggle for existence-for the
building UP of Richmoad's business in
intercsts-has. for mang years, been 50
intense that her citizens have had but poor
opportunities TOR the cultivation of art
every thought. every energy had TO he
exertcd in recouping the losses caused BY
q disastrous war. Consequently much of
the eIeVating influence Of alt has come
from without rather than from within
Necessarily the circle that has been In
1iuenoed by the art of other cities, States
and countries is small and the number Is
not sufficiently large To exert a great in
iipcnce IN building up Richmond artis
tically True artistic instinct must
spring from within. Indeed. art. undevel-
oped. lies in the hearts of almost every
human being. There is a longing-a de-
sire FOR brighter and better things with
out the ability TO give IL expression
NEED OF ART CULTURE.
tachmond has now attained great com
merciai prosperity. and unless organized
efforts are put forth to cultivate art in
our midst, many Of our wealthiest and
most cultivated people-people who are
OF the greatest possible help to our com
munity-will eek more congenial sur
roundinGs elsewhere The fact that the
love Of art has never been inculcated in
many of our people: the fact that we
have no drawing and modelling III our
schools is largely responsible for the
hideous ugltness OF many of our houses
and OF our streets The time to i'm
press on the mind the beauty of artistic
lines, the harmony Of colors, and symetry
OF arrangement is in carly youth before
the mind becomes absorbed in all the
enSrossing cares of The duty and rcspon-
sibiiity of manhood and womanhood
Artsuc thoughts and aspirations when
once planted can never be entirely
crowded out, however grinding or hard
the life may be The cultivation Of all
t'ne art should begin al the mothers
Knee and continue through the kinder
Sarten and all The grades OF the public
and private schools The influence of
such a training wopid teIl In every build
ing erected, il would tell in The rearrang-
ing and REBUILDING Of ancient and inhar-
monious, out of date structures: IT would
tell In the homes OF the people in every
piece Of furniture IN the home: ana last,
but not least. in the very serving of the
food that We eat az we sit around the
table from DAY 10 day
Wlil PARIS ATTRACTS
Why do thousands OF the wealthiest
and most cultured people flock to Paris
pouring out millions Of dollars in that
great city? Because. artisttcallv. il is
one OF the most beautiful cities in the
world Neither residence nor factory is
allowed TO be built that interferes with
the artistic surroundings Of the comtnr-
nifty No building OF red brick or anv
dlngy, dark material is allowed TO be
put UP. Everything presents a bright
cheerful, artistic and happy effect The
result shows in the temper and dispose
ton OF the people; il shows in their every
thought and act. and that is why thou
sands Of people who so TO Paris every
Year love to linGer and find in it's beau
tiful, wide, trce-lined boulevards a charm
that is simply indescribable.-a restfuIness
that but few other cities can confer The
thoughtful attention given TO art in
Washington city, the Influences Of the
large amount of Government money spent
there under the direction of the ablest
artists are serving TO make our own
Washington one Of The most beautiful
sities in America Richmond, [ hope, 10
some extent. is being Influenced by our
national Capital. of which are all proud
We have no access to the public treas
ury, but we have in our midst a more
valuable possession. and that Is the priv
ilege and opportunity Of intoxicating and
developing in every child in the commu-
nifty true artistic instincts.
RICHMOND ART CLUB.
The Richmond Art Club has been labor
ing in this direction, bat with limited
means and poor equipment during the
seven years since its organization, il has
been able to do comparatively little
What has been done was by the sacri-
ice and efforts of few who realized
The Importance of establishing a nucleus
OF art training in our city. Recently a
charter has been secured with a view of
Pnlargtng the operations of the Art Club
and some of its members and members
pf the Richmond Educational Associa-
Jon are taking the most active interest
N the movement now on foot for tho
decoration of the Richmond school rooms
Why should we send TO France. ltlay
and Germany for all our specimens Of
are? BY properly training and deyeIon-
ing I believe that we can raise IN lust
as successful artists ucre as may he
found elsewhere, and i hope that our
people Will begin TO realize the import-
Rnce OF the work that the Art club is
endeavoring to do. and will accord II
that support that Is so necessary in or
der TO accomplish the very best results
in CARRYING forward the work In which
81 is engaged
The last session was one of the most
successful IN the history of the club This
year work viii begin on the 18th Of Sen
tcmber-much earlier than usual-and
Will continue later in the spring. Every
effort Will be made 10 reach influence
and teach as many as possible The
members are endoavorins also TO promote
drawing. modelling. color work and art
work Of various kinds in orr schools
thus giving preliminary training FOR in
st,uctinG the more talented in The higher
branches of art II is hoped as this work
advances that the Art Club will not only
he able TO enlarge the scone Of its use
funess, but that other similar oraani2a-
tons may spring up in oor community,
md thus help in making Richmond the
artistic as well as the great business
ccntel OF the South.
b f. JOHNSON
MANTEn IN DAN1I5;y