New-York tribune., 1907-12-11
ART EXHIBITIONS.
Hearty 4pproUaI of Suggestion OF
Mr. NicoU by VIII II. Lou.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: A recent statement through your col
umns by J. c. Nicoll, N. A. president of the
American Water Color Society touches upon a
question that is by means new, inasmuch as
all art exhibitions in this city since the niS'
Academy exhibition, in 1926, for which an en-
trance fee has been exacted may be salo'
broadly speaking, never to have repaid the ex-
pense Of conducting the exhibition.
The Forthcoming Academy exhibition, which
opens this week. is foredoomed to the same
financial result, and if our artists were not en-
dowed, in equally liberal quantities. with aitru-
istic concern for the aesthetic wellbeing of their
country and with keen business saSacity Tor tle
administration of their limited revenue New
York City would see q cessation of the unequal
and unfair struggle which has been maintained
for many years. and the field OF eAilollioil
would be left to the mercantile enterprise oi
the picture dealer, where, in so far as his pri-
vate income is concerned, the artist profits more
even after liberal deduction for the deaier
benefit. than in an exhibition conducted in the
interests of the public.
In view of the apparent apathy Of this bene-
flied class-the pubc-the altruism OF the
artist is not a word to conjure with; but II
might be thought in a community like ours.
where practical sa gacity IN the management of
complicated affairs is at least appreciated 10 De
curious that the exercise of this faculty shouio
not long ago have brought substantial recog-
nition from some one of those whose endowment
of a similar quality has brought to him sur
plus of wealth.
For not only in the instance cited of the long
sustained public service of the National Acao-
emy of Design but in all exhibitions of edu-
cational aim equal business capacity is ap-
parent The Society of American Artists for
twenty-seven years until its union with the
Academy the Architectural League exhibition
and that of the American Water Color Society
have been one and all conducted by the voiun-
teer service of the artists with a measure OF
administrative talent that would excite the ad-
miration of any one Of our captains of industry
who would examine the books and records of
these societies In the mai iority of cases. of
course the deficits, which occur with unfaiing
regularity. have been met by the membership
dues of each society. and since no one who de-
serves citizenship would willingly see New YORK
deprived of its public art exhibitions. no one
can question the steadfastness Of purpose and
the genuine public service that has been rem
dered all these years at the cost of much self.
sacrifice by this small body of men.
MI Nicolrs statement that endowment Sc
curing an annual income of 1000 would enable
the American Water Color Society to open its
doors free is therefore pertinent and should
suggest TO some PUBIC spirited ClClZeH III du-
mirable method of rendering effective service to
the cause of art and education in this country
The whole art expression of our people has,
moreover. taken on such greater significance in
the last thirty years that New York is almost
alone among our larger cities in its non-recogni-
ton OF this fact Abroad and in the West Ameri-
can art is recognized a degree that our
metropolis ignores. chiefly from lack of adequate
exhibition space. and it is more than reGrettable
il is in no small degree humiliatng, that this
should be true. In the broader schemes of our
artists the advancement of art by the rec
ognition of our present achievement and the en-
couragement of its progress for the future cen
tres upon the absolute necessity for an adequate
building where the product of the year may be
annually exhibited.
The National Academy of Design, which leads
IN this movement, is willing to devote its not
inconsiderable fund acquired with difficulty and
guarded with care. to the administration OF such
a building, and its sister societies no less
interested and conscious that in comprehensive
gain from it's association with the others.
The material prosperity OF each society is
therefore matter of Importance to the others.
and hence it is as an individual artist who does
not share the honor of membership in the Amer
lean Water Color Society that L write In hearty
approval OF Mr.. Nicols suggestion.
WILL H Low.
Lawrence Park. Bronxve, y. Y, Dec &, 1907.