The Washington times., 1902-01-12
1T is understood that the Park Com
mission which opens its exhibition of
i models in the Hemicycle at the Cor

10 upuerstoou tnat the Park Com
mission which opens it's exhibition of
L models in the Hemicycle at the Cor
coran Gallery within a few days, has
provided in its recommendations a site
for building. which might be used for
conventions. the inaugural ball. exhibi-
tions of paintings and sculpture, concerts,
etc, etc.
In order that funds might be immedi-
ately available for such a structure, Sen
ator Mcmillan has introduced a bill in
the Senate which carries an appropriation
of s3,00o.000 for its construction and
maintenance The execution of the Park
Commissions recommendations and the
passage of Senator McMillans bill would
eonsummate the long cherished dream OF
the musical and artistic elements of
Washington. At this tiiic when the beau
tiicatiOn of this city is being so gener-
ally discussed. not only by Washington
ians, but by the most enlightened people
of the various States, who take a just
pride in the Federal City, and who believe
that 1t should be made as beautiful as
modern science and art can make it. it
would be well for Congress to give I'M
mediate attention to Senator McMillan's
bill.
A building constructed on the general
lines of the Grand Palais des Beaux Arts,
in Paris, would be an ideal structure for
Washington. This building has a great
rectangular court in the center, which is
covered with a glazed roof. About this
court on all four sides are small galleries
and meeting rooms; above these are four
great galleries running the full length
and width Of the building. The need of
such a building here is great, and the uses
to which 1t might be put are varied, but
We shall confine ourselves at this time
to a discussion of its effect on art in
Washington. Ever since its or
ganization the Society Of Washington Ar
lists has struggled to create in Wash
ington a real interest in the fine arts, and
to raise the standard OF their exhibitions
year after year, until it might be favor
ably compared with the best exhibitions
of the country. 1t has been a long and
sometimes most discouraging task.
The society held its first exhibition in
the gallery Of Messrs. Woodward & Lo-
throp, whose generosity was the first in
eentive to organize an annual exhibition.
Then the Cosmos Club offered the use OF
its club house. and for several years the
annual exhibitions were held there. The
next move was to a gallery which was
made by the alteration of a store on Con-
necticut Avenue Mrs. Belden Noble, who
proffered the use of this store free of
charge to the society, and an associate
membership, whose dues helped pay for
the remodeling of the stores. made this
venture possible. The last and most i'm
portant move was the acceptance OF the
offer OF the Hemicycle at the Corcoran
Gallery. This offer. with the additional
encouragement of $500 to be distributed
in prizes, which was made by the trus-
tees of the Gallery. made it possible for
the society to invite artists of other cities
to exhibit with it.
This same offer, somewhat modified as
regards prizes, was also made to the
Washington Water Color Club, younger
organization, that has experienced the
same uphill work The holding of the
two exhibitions under the auspices OF the
Corcoran Gallery marks an epoch in the
history of both organizations. and the
trustees of the gallery should be con-
graduated upon their public-s spiritedness.
But even under these improved conditions
the two societies have much TO desire.
and this brings us to the consideration Of
the proposed building.
If such a building as we have suggested
were erected in Washington and the art
galleries were made available for local
societies we might reasonably expect TO
see a great stride forward in art matters,
and this city taking its proper place
among the art centres of the world. The
Society of Washington Artists, which is
really the representative art organization
here, could conduct its exhibitions on so
much larger lines. Its invitation to the
artists of other cities, and, indeed. other
countries. to send their works here, would
have some weight If the contributions
could be installed in handsome, we'll
lighted galleries. OF course, gallery is
not the only requisite; there must be in
terest. announcement and patronage -
with the two former the latter is reason
ably sure to follow, for Washington is
growing rapidly. and every year many
families of wealth and position make this