The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-31

Mrs. Stella Robertson, the director Of
the art section of the Alabama State fair,
is one of Birminghams most prominent
and popular women and has always been
prominently identified with the art set
1t has been only since her marriage,
which occurred last winter, that she gave
up her studio. but she is still greatly in
terested in the development of art in
Birmingham. As director of the art sec
ton of the state fair, she is in touch with
artists throughout the state, and in the
following strong appeal the first official
statement that has been made. Mrs Rob-
ertson urges upon the artists of the state
the need of unifying their efforts by MAX
Ing an exhibit at the fair:
'Outsiders," writes Mrs. Robertson,
''who look at Alabama, The Wonderful,
naturally inquire when they see her
strides of advancement in the Industrial
world, what is she doing in the field of
the arts attractive and pleasing to the
aesthetic senses?
1--WE would like to answer with pride
and not with a blush-art is keeping pace
with commerce and manufacture. But
can we do so? Have we studied the
aesthetic as we have the commercial
Have we listened to the muse of en-
chantment as we have to the god of
mammon? Have we not been sacrificing
for the last quarter of a century the
aesthetic to the practical? Have we not
lost sight of the philosophie principle
that a well-rounded people, like a WELL
rounded individual, must cultivate senti-
ment as much as reason; the beautiful as
much as the practical; the pleasing as
much as the Industrial? We cannot say
that we have, and we cannot say that we
have not
THAT we may make answer, either
with pride or with a blush, we who love
the aesthetic, who nurse our higher SEN
timents, must get together and show our
sheaves. If we cannot be proud, we can
be self-respecting and show that we have
made an effort.
In this line of thought, then. we here
In the central field of our great and beau
tiful states urgencies, call on all our
artists. professional and amateur, to
come up and help us. We desire an ex-
hibit at our state fair, which is to be
held In Birmingham this fall of not only
our efforts but of our accomplishment in
art We are satisfied that much has al
ready been done that Is hopeful and graf
flying, but our efforts need unifying
What we have already seen In the multi
form channels of art work. as coming
from Alabama artists, though not of the
highest order, gives bright promise of
better things for the future. Meritorious
as our accomplishment has been, the
fact that we have shown no unity of ac-
ton and sympathy is kind of handicap
upon art sentiment without which there
can be but limited art progress, as the
development and harmonious cultivation
of which is the all essential element in
this beautiful field
1T may not be inappropriate to quote
Gray's exquisite lines
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathomed depths of ocean
bear;
Full many flower is born to blush un-
seen,
And waste Its sweetness on the desert
air
''All this arises. in the field of art from
lack of unity of labor and sentiment.
There Is an element OF responsibility
and hopelessness In scattered effort,
though 1t may really be of the best prom
Use. Its not being seen. praised, or prop
erly criticized causes 1t, strictly. to blush
unseen and to waste It's sweetness on the