New-York tribune., 1906-06-02
STUDENTS WELCOMED.
Art Wusean Doesn't Freese Them
out Nosr," Says Mr.. Alexander.

.Tha Relation cf Art 10 American Life was
HE subject OF yesterday mornings session
sf the combined convention Of the Eastern art
and manual training teachers, which was helc
at Pratt Institute. Brooklyn. All the speakers
treated the said relation largely non-existent
and one Of them, John C. Dana, Of the Newark
Public Library. was unable 10 see IT al all. II
vas Ike the snakes in Iceland TO his eye.
we are told" said Mr. Dana, that nation
Always gets as good government as il deserves
The same thing is true OF insurance and beer
and artists. We sre ali the children of circum-
stances. and circumstances have made the Amer
leans a nation Of spendthrift mediocrities We
hardly support one magazine given 10 serious
thought while England he's a score. We are
so 100000 strong and rich as CrGsus- but we
haven't an art journal worth the name we
have bought objects OF art by The cord ana oy
the ton. but our great museum is yet 10 be. We
are keen on asthetIcs, but are like the teacher
who walks calmly past garbage and ash cans 20
her schoolroorl where she teaches the chl4ereh
how 10 srot and spatter according 10 the laws OF
harmony and rhythm We regard art as some
Thing remote from life. We are consciously
sesthetic only when look upon an accredlted
and certifcated masterpiece. and we regard the
thrill that we are instructed TO have when we
gaze upon II as something quite detached from
any other thrills that ever have We are
Indifferent 10 the eXcelIences or defects Of every
DAY things, but when we get insolenty rfch we
buy things Of accredited merit in Europe"
IobD " Alexander rAe artist expressed HIM
sell with loss emphasis than Mr. Dana, but ad-
znitted thai the relationship between ART and the
American people was "none Of the closest"
IN I-urobe" he said art is aot the exclusive
possession II the rich. Il is The heritage Of the
hurblest citizen A workngman IN blouse is
Hr~a FNa
nost fashionably dressed woman and one is as
common sight as the ether II is recognized
that the irlJseuns belong to the people which
is not ] fear the spirit in which public institu-
rions are administered here. IN our museums
the student. instead II being welcomed and
aided as abroad is treated an intruder, who
has no right 20 disturb the calm Of the officials.
What wonder that our students hurry abroad
al the first opportunity? In Europe art is
fostered by the government, but the rising tide
of American art is hin9ered. not helped. by the
government Instead ~ official support we get
an official stumbling block n the form Of
ridiculous tariff upon works Of art Everything
that Is being done 70 encourage art In America
is the work - individuals.
tanical disabilities. I know a family Of wealth
and cGltUre in this city who when they gave
dance Tor their debutante daughter were in
formed by the parents OF some Of the invited
guests THAI they must remove certain pictures
from IDe4r Walls IT lEley NlSeu llNliGlltiS ~
be accepted"
In conclusion, Mr.. Alexander read letter from
a manufactures Of sleds who wanted 10 intro
duce some high art into his business. Eavng
heard OF Mr. Alexander. TO whose name he ap-
pended the legend artist, etc as q rapid
and elegant designer and painter" he asked him
70 give instruction n same &c his son. with a
view 10 the decoration Of his sled tops with
flowers and landscapes.
Walter S. Perry, president Of the Eastern Art
Teachers Association, attacked the methods Of
art education now in vogue in the schools.
Already" he said. the men who control cur
Industries are making inquiries TO the cause
Of the deplorahle work done IN our schools. one
OF these causes may be found IN the effort 10
produce originality without a proper back
ground of knowledge ana truth. Originality con-
sists not in saying things hut in saying
Irue things. and few e0ple can really act truth
iuly and execute truthfuily for truth comes
Through great knowledge We. as q nation have
not realized what there is TO learn: we are sllf-
ferlng from the results of our egotisr"
Mr Perry presided. and at the conclusion Of
Mr. AleXaudcr'S address he stated thar the at
nosphere Of the Metropolitan Museum Of Art
had changed since SIR Purdon Clarke became
director students being welcomed now instead
OF frozen out
This morning the convention will meet in the
Horace Mann School and Will take I'D the
r,anual arts.