The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-12
NEWS OF THE DAY
 IN SOCIETY WORLD The First Fall Weddings Celebrated Yesterday NOTES OF PEOPLE Mir. Walter Hooper Weds Miss Byers of Ashville--Jones- Clements We'd
 ding-Howell-B -Burney-Art
 Notes-Other Topics
Nv MYRTLE NILES

A letter from Miss Lucille Douglas, who is in San Antonio, Tex. for the winter voices the sentiment of scores of local art lovers who are anxious for Birming- ham to take steps toward a fine arts building, or some type of institution in which either permanent or loan exhibl- tions of paintings and sculpture may be shown.
 The late Mrs. J. B. Raulston, who at the time of h-r death this spring was president of the Birmingham Art club, was one of the most earnest and zealous advocates of a proposed exhibition build ing and it was her desire and plan to launch such a movement this fall. She was one of the strongest and most be- loved factors in the artistic life of the community and would have had great influence She was, however. associated with other women of fine executive abil- ity as well as artistic talent who are capable of forwarding such plan. Miss Douglas is one of the Birmingham art ists who feel the need of an exhibition building both from a civic and per sonal standpoint. In her letter was en- closed clipping from Texas daily from which this excerpt is taken:
 "Canvases from the studios of the most famous artists in America will be shown in a collection of paintings at the state fair of Texas. October 12 to 27. This in- yesterday from Julian Onderdonk, now engaged in assembling this collection, pre- paratory to sending it to Dallas. Visitors to the fair last year hardly realized what a magnificent collection we had on ex- hibition and this year the offering will be even better writes MT. Onderdonk. There will be a great many masterpieces from the brushes of the most famous painters fin America on display and as all of them will be for sale many connois- seurs will have an opportunity for mak- ing selections for their galleries at home.
 Among the painters that will have rep resentation in the art gallery this year is Robert Henri. MT. Henri is one of the most famous artists in this country. He studied in the Paris Academy of Fine Arts and his picture La Neigre' was purchased from the Paris salon in 1899 by the French government for the Lux emburg gallery.
 .sMr. Onderdonk writes that he has se- cured canyases from the studios of Irving R. Wiles, Gardner Simons, Robert Henri, Frederick Ballard Williams, Louis Mora, William J. Whitmore, Paul Conover Van Perine, Jonas Lie, Ernest Lawson, George w. Bellows, John c. Johansen, William M. Chase and William Ritchell. Canvases from the studios of Frederick w. Waug and Paul Dougherty will feature the ex- hibition. MT. Onderdonk writes: These two are the leading marine painters of America Mir. Onderdonk declares I am especially gratihed at securing paintings from their studios. In fact, the collec- tion of marines and landscapes that will be sent to the fair could not be better. 1t will be the best ever shown in the south. Lillian M. Genth and Mrs. Char lotte B. Conan. one of the most famous of American landscape painters, are also to be represented "
 Miss Douglas accompanying letter Is characteristic of her fine ambitious spirit. She wrote:
 ''I am enclosing a notice from the Dallas News in regard to the exhibition at the fair. It ought to make us sit up and take notice. When was in Dal- las in the spring I saw the art building. in the spring I saw the art building. It is a credit to the city. There is a keen interest in art there, and I be- lieve they have the nucleus of a perma- nent collection. Having these pictures from the best in America. Each autumn they have the chance to select from
 
 in the other Texas towns, notably San Antonio and Galveston and Fort Worth, is surprising and delightful. There fin Birmingham we have no place for an exhibition. You cannot ask one, there is no backing financially, as, for instance, for this exhibition in Dal- las all the expenses of shipping, pack ing, etc, are borne by the association It seems to me Birmingham has reached the stage where culture along this line should be encouraged. It Is true there are many fine pictures in private homes there, but the public, who cannot afford them, never sees them. Again, we have no place for a loan exhibition. am afraid this sounds like a protest, but you know how keen am on the subject. and simply be- cause I am spending the winter out here does not signify that my interest in Birmingham has in any way ceased. will come back next winter with more enthusiasm than ever, for I am getting well and strong. I think the Art club has done splendid work and still will, but until it has some financial backing or some interest from the city its hands are tied. Does this sound like a suf- frage speech before the Civic league, or something of thst sort? Anyway, thought 1t might interest you"
 Birmingham art Is not without out side recognition. From time to time some far away paper, noting the work of an exhibitor from this city, speaks of its merit and characteristic charm with admiration. An occasional appre- citation appears In some high art maga- zine of high class and exclusive policy. Just yesterday. coming the pages of