Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16

the erection of a building Gncluded in the
park commissioners plan) in which eHnlpl-
lions. great and small. could be held; IN
which, in fact, might De eSldp44SAed Oh
American salon.
Another significantly progressive step
taken last year toward the close OF the sea-
son was the incorporation of an ARTS ana
Crafts Club" the purpose of which was TO
promote civic pride to encourage the arts
and crafts and to bring into closer and
more familiar relations the artists and
laymen of Washington. AS soon as $l00O0
is subscribed club house is TO be erected
and properly equipped which shall include
a small hall in which transient exhibit
lions can be held during the season.
The exhibition Of the park commission
plans last April also marked the beginning
of a new era of artistic thought and feel
ing The splendid possibilities which they
laid before the people of the United States
for the future of their capital city have
been too clearly demonstrated to need
further explanation, and are too impress
sively desirable to need urging upon an
intelligent and cultured community, but it
may be fittingly pointed out that the full
fillment of these plans would greatly
heighten Washington's reasonable claims TO
the title of art center. SO much for the
future At the present time Washington
has no occasion either to hang on elusive
promises, or to be abashed concerning her
place in the world of art.
Art Societies.
Awav back in 1851 an organization
called ssThe Washington Art Society" was
founded here under the leadership of Ho-
ratio Stone. the sculptor, and S. T. B. Morse,
a charter member of the New York Acad-
ernv of Design as well as the inventor of
the telegraph. Its purpose was the estab-
lishment of national organization similar
to the Beaux Arts of France.and consldera-
BILE interest and enthusiasm was awakened
nffiai nlS md he tray
eraI public Lord Napier then a member
Of the diplomatic corps, made an address
in its behalf. In 1859 an exhibition was
held In the old Corcoran building and all
was progressing finely when the war broke
out It was in these early days that Eman-
mel Ieuze painted his Westward Ho, "
which hangs In the Capitol and that Brumidi
did his best work. Following In the footsteps
of this Oldest organization comes the pres
ent Society Of Washington Artists which
for the past twelve years has held annual
exhibitions, raising the standard steadily
until the last was found not only to com
pare favorably with important out-of-town
ANIMALS but to be thoroughly representa-
tive Of the best American contemporary
art The Washington Water Color Club is
a sister organization which likewise holds
notable annual exhibitions. the seventh of
which Is now in progress in the Hemicycle
OF the Corcoran Gallery. Besides these
there Is local architects club. and both
the American Institute of Architects and
the Society or American Plate EngraverS
have their headquarters in this city. The
Library Of Congress Is, in way. a great
gallery OF modern art, as we'll as a marvel
ously beautiful piece of architecture, and
the Corcoran Gallery. with its excellent col
lection Of nineteenth century paintings and
antique casts. Is also more than fittingly
housed. There, Is moreover. Mr.. Thomas
E. Waggaman's private gallery, rich in ex-
amples of the Dutch school OF painting, and
in rare old porcelains. bronzes, etc., from
n he
public during a portion Of each year, as
well as various other valuable private col
lections. There is a weii-equipped school of
art connected with the Corcoran Gallery
under tho direction Of an able corps OF In