New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-17
ALL FOR NEW ACADEMY.
Park Commissioner Smith FaUors
Replacing the arsenal.

. commissioner Smith OF the Department Of
Parks expressed himself yesterday a. being heart
lily in favor OF the plan OF tho Academy Of Design
for replacinE the old arsenal in Central Park with
a new building to be shared by the city and the
academy. the upper floor Of which could be used rs
an art gallery
and I'm other ways objectionable said Mr.. Smith.
1T is not hreproof and all records, which
stored there in danger Of destruction. II the
academy were to replace It with fine new build
ing and thus provide with better quarters. I
fail 70 see that the city could DO otherwise than
gain through the project. am certainly heartily
in favor OF plan and would like 70 see II 70
through"
approached officially in the matter. such action
has so far been taken having been confined to the
council Of the academy Those. however who
ara familiar with the project according TO Fred
erick Dieman. it's president ara in favor Of the
plan which would enable it to use all its re-
sources on a building. The academy has not
enough money Obtain proper site. but II either
has or could raise enough TO erect an entirely ade-
quate building.
II think that If the Legislature and the city
favorably." said Mr.. Dielnnan. the academy will
not be found wanting Most OF our members know
something Of the idea, and those who have talked
Il over are enthusiastic. OF course It would be
phenomenal If there were not some passimists and
some kckers. but really the thing has not gone far
enough yet make objections possible We are
committed to nothing by anything that has Yet
discussion of the whole matter before anything is
even tentatively arranged"
There IS no question Of tho need for such
building" said Henry w watrous. secretary OF
-tbA academy ~ dozen cities in this country and
all of any pretenson abroad. are better or than
New York for art galleries. The academy is much
criticised for its shortcomings when It comes 10
exhibitions but We 20 blame. We have to
crowd mixtures because we have no way TO hang
/ them properly ana thls Is one OF the IhIhsS we
want TO stop.
.,rben we want to fulfil our charter. We want TO
promote the interests OF all the arts CT design which
are bv no means confined to painting and sculpture.
Architecture mural work, textiles-all should be
considered Perhaps the academy would not have
IN organize such allied exhibitions itself. but II
would be impossible 70 have any representative dis
navs along such lines in which academicians would
no. predominate- We want the water color men.
and we want broad exhibitions. that will attract
men vino 90 not now send their work TO the acad-
en,v,s exhibitions because they realize the diff
fcuIties our hanging committee has to meet, and,
though not criticsing the academy, do not 10
take chances with their work There is the need
of the building propose. which would, of
cessTty be ornament to the city, the academy
could not afford TO put up building of any other
character
William NJ. Chase sad 1T is admirable
plan and indorse it fully It is the beginning OF
everything should hope for American art"
Edwin Blaslfeld the painter, was enthusiastic
l
said, Il should regret anything that was an en-
croachment on Central Park. But this of course
is merely pls.. to replace unattractive build
ing with one OF better character, and am so de-
lighted at the prospect Of such gallery that other
considerations would trifiing in any case I
welcome anything that makes for federation in art
and building that would lead to unity and enable
the different organizations to get together would
be fine thing. The Fine Arts Building has al
ready done wonders, and such structure as this
{
James Frazer the sculptor. talked OF earlier am
hItions create here institution like the F3eaux
Arts in Paris, linked perhaps with the academy
and seemed think that such a plan as this
might be step that direction. At any rate he
expressed himself heartily in favor of such a
building and Of the opinion that it would be
a great benefit TO the cause of
Karl Bitter the sculptor seemed delighted at the
possibility OF the disappearance Of the Arsenal
which he called eyesore. Certainly 1 think
such building would be fine thing" he said
1t would give Central Park something TO replace
the hidecus and inappropriate Arsenal. and that
alone would be excellent. The whole plan seems
very good eto me"
There were artists who thought practical dficu-
ties might confront The academy IN its plans but
they seemed be in minority, and preferred
moreover, not TO be quoted on the subject.