Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-09-14
DEPARTMENT
or ART AT THE
STATE FAIR
HORSE EDITOR RUSHES IN WHERE
REPORTORIAL ANGELS FEAR TO
TREAD AND TALKS ABOUT
THINGS HE KNOWS NOT OF.

seeming neglect or oversight was
probably rather unintentional, not be-
cause 1t was not worthy, but because
the reporters, while artists" in their
line, and understood the lights and
shadows Of a good story were not
long-haired and fam liar with the
chiaro oscuro Of the painters art The
horse editor frankly admits that there
are none on The Journal staff, outside
Of his department. capable Of doing the
subject justice That's why, even at this
late date, he is tackling the job him
self. He further comedies that, while
he knows beans, he would not recog-
nize them under the botanical name
OF "faba vulgaris,' nor would he have
even a speaking acquaintance with a
fellow cabbage head, perambulating
under the name of "brassica oleracea."
He likes flowers, but knows nothing of
botany, and admires pictures, some
pictures, without being overburdened
with art. But here goes.
In the first place the exhibit was
sadly handicapped by It's surround
ings. The little space given 1t, COM
PEELED crowding. aud there was prqc-
tlcally no light, the dim glimmer COZ
ing down through a small skylight,
and few 'steen candle power electric
lights being entirely insufficient.
The exhibit of amateur work has
grown steadily smaller each year, be-
cause they do not like to compete with
their teachers.
The exhibit this year as a whole
was better than usual, because larger
for one reason, due to the energetic
work of Miss Musa Geer, who had
charge Of the department, and who
found 1t hard to get many Of the ar
lists to exhibit because the light for
several seasons has been so poor, and
one experience was enough for them.
One of the pictures attracting a
great deal of attention was Of Uncle
John Mimic, by Geo. 0'Brien. 1t was
extremely llfelike and real, and the
kindly old face was surely good to
look at
Mt. Hood, from Bull Run lake was
another fine one one of the best
Clyde Keller, of Salem, former
Salem boy, had an exhibit of exquisite
water colors.
Mrs. Florence Chase Currler Of
Portland, bad a splendid piece i'll oil,
monks head, which was greatly adj
mired.
Mrs. M. A. Woods sent very cred
table display, including modelled leath
err work and work in oil and water
colors, as well as an elegant piece of
tapestry painting.
Another feature, and one Of the
best, was the etchings by Charles w.
Port who has national reputation,
and the securing of this collection for
Oregonians to see was one Of the
most tasteful and artistic bits OF work
done in connection with the exhibit,
and was the work of Its manager, Miss
Geer.
Miss Margaret Gills showing Of
water colors, pastelle and china paint
ing was one of the finest, was greatly
admired, causing much favorable COM
ment, and It deserved 1t.
The Kayser photographs, loaned for
the occasion by Allen Eaton, OF Eu-
gene, were another feature that at
tracted much attention,
In the china painting the tendency
toward conventional rather than re-
alistic was much in evidence. It is a
little incongruous or strikes the
horse editor that way, to have a plate
bearing beautiful bunch Of roses
from which to eat "ham and and It
don't seem quite right that few links
Of Frankfurter should renose on a
cluster of lilies of the vallev or a
smotherlng of limburger rest peaceful
ly in the bosom OF bed Of migonette
The lmpresslonist work shows gains
and is in favor though ths'c seems to
be tendency toward the extreme in
this line,
There were hundreds Of beautiful
thiras far too MANI to even enumer-
ate, let alone even attempt to describe
What is most needed, outside Of a
new and larger gallery, is revised pre-
MUM list. Sculpturng should be CIV
en- prominent place. Oregon boasts
two fine artists in this line, whose
work has a national reputation, Ros-
wald Dosch and Gertrude Camn. both
Of Portland, and both close to the top
IN their profession.
Photographers of the state have
pledged $4,000 towards a new art gal
lery at the grounds, and Col. Robert
Miller, OF the Society Of Oregon Ar
lists, assures us that organization VIII
take an active part in promoting the
new gallery.
It is expected this will be completed
IN time for next years exhibits, aud