Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-06
AMERICAN ART EXHIBIT
WHY IT WILL HAVE NO PLACE
AT JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION.

Richard Brooks the artist, and Miss Lulu
Mechlin, the well-known writer on art, both
Of this city, who had been engaged by ].
Taylor Ellyson, governor of history, educa-
tion and social economy of the jamestown
exposition, to collect and arrange an exhibit
of American art from the early portraitists
to the modern painters, have been called off
from their work.
This is because King Edward VII of Great
Britain has made offer to present an
antiquarian and historical art exhibit which
Will occupy all the space which could be de-
voted to art work.
Immediately the work of collecting ex-
hibits was begun. The Pennsylvania Acad-
envy S exhibition was visited, and selections
made from its catalogue, artists were COM
municated with, insurance companies con-
suited, packers contracted with. and circu-
lars issued. The only fireproof building at
jamestown was that erected for the nous
ing of certain historic relics, and the large
right wing of this structure, cont aiming
four galleries and a center court, was to
have been used for the fine arts exhibit
The plans were remodeled in accordance
with Mr.. Brookes suggestions, and though
the space afforded was not superfiuous 1t
was ample.
Owing to the lack of time it was TO have
been a selected exhibition of about 200
paintings by leading American artists. Let
terS were sent to nonresident artists, loans
=,
works were stored to save the cost and
risk of reshipment from other exhibitions.
Almost without exception those solicited
for cooperation responded generously; a
distinguished jury for the hanging and ar
rangement of exhibits had been secured,
and half the exhibits had been entered.
when on March the entire project was
again wilfully abandoned.
The letter of Mr.. ELY Son was as follows:
MI. Ellyson's Letter.
Dear MIR. b note that distin guished
committee is working for the purpose of
securing an antiquarian and historic exhibit
for the jamestown exposition which prom
Uses I" be so rich in historical material that
we do not feel that we rightly with regard
to the<,es- interests of the exposition, can
decline to receive il.
We feel great regret at having to even
consider the question of an abandonment of
our purpose of having fine art exhibit
put the lateness of the time which this offer
has come To us, and the scarcity of room in
our fireToof building, makes it imprac-
ticable for us to have both the fine arts ex-
hiblt and that offered us by our English
friends, and in view of the fact that ours
is an historical exposition. we feel that we
ought to accept the English offer and forego
the pleasure of the fine arts exhibit which
YOU We're collecting for us in manner SO
intelligent and satisfactory.
Nothing but this tempting offer and the
limitations both of time and space would
induce us to reconsider our determination
and to ask you to relieve us from any obli-
cation to proceed further with your work
Very truly yours,
-. TAYLOR ELLYSON.
"GOvernor of History, Education and Social
Economy.
1t is true that Mr.. Brooke held his direc-
torship under written contract, but he did
not feel after setting forth the Importance
of the work and the injury inflicted to
those who had so cheerfully given CO.
operation. that he should force the obliga-
ton and hence relinqush his claim. Let
tiers were sent to all who had been invited
to contribute, works held in storage were
returned and the work undone as rapidly as
possible in order to prevent further embar-
rassment and loss
The nature of the kings exhibit is not
known, but the feeling throughout the
country is that it can scarcely rival in
educational value the one relinquished and
that if sufficient interest had been felt in
the original project some other provision
might have been made for the treasures
offered by our English friends"
AS to the building which was to have been
used for the art exhibit, it will in all proba-
b!lity not be ready for occupancy when the
exposition opens. so delay alone cannot be
made an adequate excuse. Though other
branches of activity will be we'll represent
ed, cOlored photographs, inferior copies
plaster models and weak prints will at
jamestown stand for the output of Amer
lean art.
Tower Lets Out the Secret.