New-York tribune., 1911-02-26
FOR ART SHOW BUILDING COLLEGE AN|TOR FINED
Fifth Avenue Land Suggested as
a Possible Site.
J. W. ALExANDER'S PLAN
Academy of Design President
Thinks That City Should
Buy Two Blocks.

sneaking at the weekly Saturday
luncheon at the Republican Club yester-
dav. J. W. Alexander. president OF the
National Academy Of Design and repre-
senting the Metropolitan Museum Of Art.
suggested that the city purchase by con-
demnation the two blocks on Fifth ave-
nue.. fronting the new public library. and
upon the space thus obtained there be
constructed a building harmonizing with
the architecture of the library, TO be
used for art exhibitions Of every variety.
The boundaries OF this proposed site are
Fifth and Madison avenues and 40th
and 42d streets.
Should. however, the authorities, con-
sider this plan too expensive 10 be put
into execution, Mr.. Alexander renewed
his former suggestion of using the west
side Of Bryant Park for an art exhibit
ton building The architecture Of this.
too, should be such, he said, as not to
conflict with that Of the library. and he
advocated a long, narrow structure.
In discussing his first suggestion Of
two blocks opposite the library Mr.. Alex
ander said after the luncheon that the
National Academy of Design was thor
oughly in favor Of its adoption, and II
the city would provide the site the
academy stood ready and anxious to
back the scheme with not only its moral
but also. 10 the limit of its ability, It's
financial support. He added that he had
discussed the plan with private citizens
Of prominence and wealth and had with
out exception received assurances that
once the site was obtained they would
see TO the forthcoming of sufficient
money to put up I. suitable building.
The topic for discussion was New
York as an Art Centre" Mr.. Alexander.
the first speaker, struck the keynote be-
fore he had been on his feet five min
utes when he pointed out the impera-
tive necessity OF having an adequate
building for holding art exhibitions ana
plead for the citys aid in getting one.
Speaker after speaker drove home these
points and applauded the suggestions
as TO site. All Of them agreed that Ne"
York seemed destined in tirne 10 become
the art centre Of the world, but Ut.
van Dyke thundered out the warning
that the present spirit of acute CONNER
cialism might prevent the fulilment OF
what now appeared 70 be the citys oo-
vious destiny.
Mr.. Alexander began his remarks oy
saying the Republican Club was guilty
Of an innovation in having men VINO
really knew what they were taking
about speak on art. Art. he said' was
appreciated in every other country more
/ than II was here. After rapidly touchlne
upon what the governments OF smaller
cities were doing to support and encouf-
age art he spoke at myth upon uhe
| necessity Of having a suitable building
for exhibition purposes This need, NJ
urged. was working a great injustice t'
Young artists who had not arrived
but whose work was meritorious.
Committees from other cities h'
said. come to New York 70 secure pict
ures TO hang in their exhibition galerle'
Naturally, the, strive TO get those by
men who have arrived The youns
artist has no fair show. His picture!
are not exhibited in hi home city be
cause there is no place. and neither ar'
they hung in galleries away from nome
because strangers know nothing Of hin
and have not time TO find out. Further
more he is deprived Of the stimulus anC
inspiration afforded by seeing magnifi
cent exhibitions
Daniel G. French said that New Yorl
was bound 10 be the art centre Of tn
world. we can't ward il Off" said he
| "but we can hasten it," He continued
by saving that he must rise TO the de
fence of the city. which he thought wa
generous in its support Of the Metro
politan Museum Of Art, and then won
salvo Of applause by saying that no othe
people had a keener appreciation Of tn
beautiful than the leisure class Of Amer
leans, land by the leisure class / mean
of course. the women"