The Washington herald., 1911-03-05
SOCIETY OF FINE ARTS
TO MAKE WASHINGTON
A BEAUTIFUL CAPITAL

1t is only a question or time Wnen
Washington will be the most beautiful
city in the world. When that happy day
arrives Washingtonians will inscribe upon
the tablets of time the names Of the or
ganfzers, leaders, and active members of
the Washington Society of Fine Arts. for
it IS through the efforts of this organiZa-
ton that such rapid strides are being
made toward the elimination Of this
dream OF a municipal paradise.
The Washington Society of Fine Arts
was organized some years ago to unite
and make effective the-efforts of those
who would hasten the Identification of
the National Capital. Its interests are
varied and practical Its membership
comprises more than 400 Of the most
prominent citizens of the District. The
development of streets and parks, the
location and character Of buildings and
statuary; the planting of trees and
shrubs; the development Of Fairgrounds.
the treatment of yards and gardens, the
upbuiIding of the National Gallery, the
decoration of the public schools, the saw
ing of Rock Creek Valley, the preserva-
ton of the Palisades of the Potomac, the
reclamation of the Anacostia Flats, the
improvement Of the water front, the ap-
pointment of an art commission to har-
monize and make effective the various
efforts of citizens and officials-these are
some of the things for which this digni-
fed and earnest society is waging noble
battle.
The society was established in 1905 un-
der the name of the National Society of
Fine Arts. During the six years of its
existence it has done much to promote
general interest in art by conducting
lectures for its members and for the gen.
eraI public by distinguished speakers and
artists of national reputation; by holding
exhibitions and assisting other local or
ganiza tons in setting forth exhibitions;
by exerting its influence to secure better
legislation in regard to matters pertaining
to fine arts in general, and to the beauti-
flying of Washington in particular.
Became National in Scope.
The original group of men who or
ganized this society included DR.. T. Way
land Vaughan, Edward Lind Morse. the
late Charles NJ. Ffoulke Charles ]. Bell,
and a. ]. Parsons. Mr.. Bell was the
first president, succeeded by Mr.. Ffoulke,
and still later by Mr.. William H. Holmes.
While Mr.. F'foulke was president, plans
were drawn for the establishment of a
national art organization. Meetings were
held, out of which grew the American
Federation of Arts, formally organized in
May, 1903 This body has now grown to
national Importance, having more than
100 chapters in all parts of the country,
with about 1000 members. 1t is the most
potent influence in behalf of art develop
ment in the United States.
When the federation was organized,
IL, nF
changed to Washington Society of Fine
Arts, and it became the mother chapter
of the national body. The federation eS-
tablished its offices in the old mansion at
Eighteenth street and New York avenue,
and began its great work of spreading a
knowledge and feeling for the fine arts
throughout this country. Conventions
are held in Washington each May, exhibi-
tons are sent out all over the country.
and illustrated lectures given in the most
remote districts, where, before the fedora
ton came into being, chrome calendars
and crayon enlargements of photographs
were the only known examples of artis-
tic expression. The federation also issues
"a monthly magazine called Art and Prog
reSs. which spreads the doctrines of art
improvement to all pars of the continent.
Having turned over its national ideas to
the federation. the Washington Society
of Fine Arts began TO devote its exclu-
sive attention to local affairs From the
report of the secretary, Miss Leila Mech
lin, for the past year some interesting
facts about the work of the society can
be CLEANED.
During the year six regular and two spe-
cial meetings were held. At the regular
meetings the following lectures were de-
livered: Art in India by Walter Scott
Perry; Civic Art" by ]. Horace Nc
Farland; '''Impressionism and the Art of
Whistler by Charles H. Caffin; Music |
of the Southwestern Indians" by Miss
Natalie Curtis; Industrial Art" by
James Parton Haney. and Recent Art
Discoveries in Egypt" by F. F. Ogilvie- |
Mr.. f. Hopkinson Smith, author, artist, |
and engineer, was also recent speaker. |
In addition to these, lectures were de
livered at the Public Library on the fol-
lowing subjects: ARTS and Crafts" by
Miss Anna Seaton Schmidt; Planting
Home Grounds" by H. D. Heminway;
Public Art" by John Quincy Adams;
With a Sketch Book in SPAIN" by
James P. Haney; Review of the Cor
coran Gallery's Exhibition" by c. H. Caf-