Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11
CULTIVATION OF ART
ORGANIZATION FORMED AT THE
COSMOS CLUB.
Prominent Citizens Interested in the
Movement-Outline Given
of the Objects.

A new organization for the cultivation
of the fine arts was formed last night at a
meeting of prominent citizens of the Dis
trict held at the Cosmos Club. Mr.. Charles
J. Bell presided over the gathering and Mr..
Wayland T. Vaughn of the Smithsonian In
stitution acted as secretary. Mr.. Bell ex-
planned to those present the purpose of the
organization. He told what it was expect
ed to accomplish and introduced Mr..
Vaughn, who made an extended address.
He said, in part
Many most often have wondered at APP
parent general lack of interest in the fine
arts and the low degree of esthetic appre-
citation in our country. This is all the more
remarkable since America has contributed
no mean proportion of the great painters of
the past century, and we are justified in
taking pride in the work now being done by
quite number of our contrymen. AS we all
know, Whistler made his home abroad; Alb
bey and Sargent reside in England, and OF
our younger men in France, Seymour
Thomas has just become one of the Legion
OF Honor and the Luxembourg has acouired
canvas of Miller.
Why do our artists leave US? True.
Innes was satisfied with his home at Mont
clair, N; j., and Winslow Homer does not
desert the Maine coast, but it is also true
that large number of our most excellent
artists reside in foreign lands The reasons
for this unfortunate condition of affairs
are many.
1t is not the policy of our government
directly to foster art, whereas in some
foreign governments it is otherwise. In
france there is minister de beaux arts.
The national exhibitions are opened by
the president of the republic, and the best
pictures are purchased by the government
we can scarcely expect our government
at least not now-to become direct pa
iron OF art. In America the artist usually
is not taken seriously. The studio Is con-
sidered not as place where a man thinks,
strives. works, but as one for pink teas
and an excuse for Bohemian life. These
remarks will apply to both sculpture and
painting. And how many people realize
that architecture and the laying out of a
park or garden require artistic ability of
the highest order?
Lack Of Serious Consideration.
I wish to emphasize the lack of serious
consideration of matters esthetic. But
IN spite of the outward fippancy, people
try to have beautiful houses, whose in
teriors they try to decorate, and, for
soOth, they speak of the beauties of land
soape and even eXpatiate upon sunsets.
The esthetic is serious element in the
life of every man. Sizeanne says of Ma
dox Browne: In his heart was a vague
but ardent longing to see art in England
taking great social place. the place of
daily bread, instead of being mere
sweetmeat reserved for the rich mans
table" AS little may be thought, art
esthetics, occupies a place only second
in Importance to the accessories for SuS-
tanning life.
Gentlemen a certain number of us who
believe that the concerted action OF those
interested in the progress of the fine arts
will produce beneficial results have in
vited you to meet with us tonight Sub
Sequently more definite plans Will be pre-
scented for your consideration.
Constitution Proposed.
A circular containing a proposed constr
tuition for the new organization was dis
tributed among the members, and a con-
stitution was adopted along the lines OF
that laid down in the circular. According
to the constitution, the society will be
known as the National Society OF the Fine
Arts Its object is stated as being, among
other things, to hold meetings to enable
those interested in fine arts to become
members to keep it's members Informed on
the progress that is being made in fine arts
in this country and ABROAD by having lee
lures on various art subjects delivered at
such stated meetings; to spread art knoWl-
edge among the residents of Washington by
arranging for loan exhibitions of paintings
etchings, engravings. prints or OF any
works of art that may seem desirable; by
having public lectures delivered on various
fine art subjects. :,
The election of officers was held immed1-
ately after the adoption of a constitution.
president Mr.. Bell expressed his thanks
for the honor, but notified the members
that he would only hold office until the so
ciety Is fairly well started.