Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-22

seyS first expression of purpose that
is big with promise for the new epoch
that is surely dawning in this land of
perpetual sunlight.
Blase as l had grown through long
familiarity with such words, in the
mouths of mere dreamers, men and
women who mistake a yearning for art
as a token of leadership, naturally L
passed, rather indolently Miss Kelsey $
words as so much social chit-chat ana
tea gossip. 1t was about | o'clock IN
the afternoon, in her delightful apart
ment at the Hotel 1ngraham, and there
were other callers there, in an informal
way. Frankly, 1 intended to stay just
about ten minutes, but it was exactly
two hours before our bright interview
ended and | never regretted moment,
but learned something that held me,
from first to last.
Would you like to look in? We are
in charming haunt of music and art,
hung with pictures, and many DOCKS
on the drama and literature are scat
tered here and there, in reposeful
places. The perspective of the room is
relieved by a large window leading out
on a balcony, from which the magnih-
cent panorama of Los Angeles famous
palms, flowers and glorious out-of-
doors adds a charming touch OF
reality.
Is Born Leader and Thinker
on account of Miss Kelsey's impress
sive beauty of face and form, her eX-
uuiste taste in dress, her family S
wealth and standing, she might easily
have followed a life of elegant leisure
in society, but she is Il very soon
found made of sterner stuff, and 1t Is
always with sensible modesty that she
puts forward her important ideas of
art and culture, although in noted
eastern art centers and in musical con-
servatories her name has long been a
household word
She is, in short, not teacher, but a
leader, thinking with originality and
decision for the common cause OF Gull
ture. What Jane Adams is to socio-
logical uplift for the immigrants, what
Clara Barton is in hospitals, what
Maude Adams is to the drama, Georgia
Kelsey is in the forwarding of art and
culture in America. Her work has been
carried on in large eastern states and
in the national studios and conserva-
tories not by teaching, but by quietly
bringing together congenial spirits OF
the highest influence in local art
circles, and impressing upon them the
UNIQUE Importance of broader culture.
Those little select circles have in turn
become centers from which an art
influence has radiated to the far parts
of our country.
.'Why. then" you ask, as 1 asked, sis
not Georgia Kelsey in London or New
York;" She answered, with smile,
that she had been through 1t all" and
now for sheer love of the Land or
Light and it's new race of Americans
had finally cast her fortunes beside the
Shutdown sea to bring all her hopes to
final elimination here; for she recog-
nizes that Los Angeles will yet become
a modern Athens in culture, and she
wishes to lead the movement toward
the better day, so near at hand
Glorious Day Soon to Dawn
an your beautiful city there is an in
stinctiye feeling for art and culture,
she said land to large extent l
trace a connection between your gener-
osity of opinion, your dash and spirit,
your wholesome views of llfe' your
broad outlook and your optimism, and
the magnificent light that spreads Its
blessing over Southern California like a
golden mist. 49,.
"There is no sunlight like 1t in this
world and I've seen about all that is
worth visiting; there is no people ike
your people. Clearly. the sottness OIL
YOUR climate is reflected in the happy
manners of the people. In New YORK.
masses live such wretched lives, Gagged
i'm their tiny cells, as we may well call
the dark rooms in the big tenements
and apartment houses, that naturally
their manners become short, vulgar
and intolerant; and it is often as much
as a strangers head is worth as well
YOU know, to ask a simple question OF
a husv man there. He is liable to slam
the door in your face or tell you to go
ask a policeman.
You are coming rapidly to a new
era here. You have your captains OF
industry. and they are indispensable
for years yet; but there is so much
else to be done. And the press is real
Nv the one influence that is of first I'M
portance to help the art movement.
When all the people see clearly, as L
do today, the necessity for great To-
cal art museum here, it will come, rest
assured of that | am not worrying
about it, everything in it's own good
time. you know. But today where are
the masses to go to see pictures! ANA
interest in art and culture is keener
here, l take it, than in any other place
I'm America. l am not undertaking TO
head this work, or. indeed, to have any
share in it. except by using my infiu-
ence with the best society people and
with my friends in general l shall
write talk and live art and culture
for Southern California; and you know
there must be those who sow the seed,
no matter who plucks the fruits. In
this instance it may take five years or
more to bring about the wonderful art
museum that Los Angeles will one day
sllpport-yes, and it will take ten or
fifteen years thereafter to make the
careful collection to adorn its walls.
And we all must help-we all must UNI
selfishly push forward the happy day.
An Americanized Madam Adam
In Paris for years the salon of
MADAM Adam has been the center of
art and culture. This famous woman.
who is classed as a writer, long eX-
erted an influence that is fundamental
in politics and art. And today in
Georgia Kelsey, the beautiful leader in
are expression for all the people, /
recognized an Americanized version of
the celebrated Madam Adam. 1 pre-
dict that from the Kelsey influence in
her lovely studio will radiate ideas OF
commanding importance to Los An
geles. Hers is no mere feeling for
art" Georgia. Kelsey throughout her
busy life has always been a leader, not
a mere teacher; she aims to bring to
each woman in Los Angeles a share
of what is best to refine life. With
Miss Kelsey art is taken from the
clouds, brought to earth; it is not a
gilded luxury, a poets dream, but a
living daily actually, as much as
hearts because there is some message
there that humanity needs has needed
and will continue to crave till the last
Of us is dust.
No Barrier Between Business and Art