Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-19

| by Mrs. Scott F'itz and placed in her Ital-
ian garden at Manchester-by-t he-Sea. AT
present Mrs. Ladd is modelling what prom
ises to be magnificent plastic interpre-
tation of the freedom and joy of nature
| typified by the universal elements Of wind
and water.
| A whirling group of youthful figures,
driven by the wind, dance and leap
around a fountain. the dashing spray of
which sings and weeps in the lovely bod
les of these chanting, dancing or droop-
ing. brooding young creatures. 1t is a
vigorous American conception for an out
door decorative group, and is designed to
serve as fountain in the grounds Of the
California exposition.
That America falls far behind France
in sculptural art is largely due to the
great expense of such an undertaking.
Governments in Europe pay their artists
In advance If capable Of carrying out
monumental groups and fountains to
adorn their public parks. AS yet we have
NO permanent funds on which to draw
for civic Establishment, but, Judging by
the great strides made in Washington s
appreciation Of outdoor beauty, few
years will probably see, such fund es-
tablished.
MISS ALICE FOSTER is working on
A'A two very interesting miniatures-
49, - sSAAONS CHlIu WIFI pink
cheeks. that match her quaint little pink
gown and the large bows Of pink ribbon
on her hair: the other a delightful por-
trait Of Mrs Max Kauffmann In this
the pose IS especially lovely, being very
fectly with the beautiful coloring of the
subject. Since her return from Paris
Miss Foster has continued to make great
progress in her chosen line Of work. An
earnest student, she is now reaping the
reward OF her years Of hard study.
\
A SPLENDID movement has just been
4 y started in Washington, which, its ad-
herents claim, will have far-reaching eff
fects in the world Of art. 1t is plan to
educate and encourage the poor in home
decoration.
In the congested parts Of London and
other old world capitals it has been
proven. they say, that nothing is so de-
pressing, SO conducive to criminal living,
as the horrible ugliness Of sordid places
which are not homes, but merely shelters
where human beings are herded together
and that when these same people are
transferred into happier surroundings.
even though their poverty continues. they
improve mentally, physically and moral
ly. OF course. conditions here are in
comparably better, but they can be inn
proved. is the contention. By interesting
mothers, above all children, In the beau
tifyfng of their homes 1t will be found
that sickness and even crime will dimin-
lsh In the District; since such has In
variably been the result elsewhere.
Believing in this power of beauty as an
educational factor, Mrs. Clinton p. Town
send has organized a series of confer
ences to discuss the best methods of
reaching the people. The Associated
Charities have permitted their rooms to
be used as object lessons, and the CEN
trail Offices at 923 II street have already
cleaning and refurnishing. Everything
has been done with a view to the educa-
tional value on those who come here for
assistance The materials chosen are
cheap, but in good taste. Charts are pro- !
vlded giving prices Of furnishings and
Of humble interiors.
This association for home making is |
still in its infancy, and since everything
must be donated or paid for by it's MEM |
bers they cannot at once undertake the,l
of the remaining seven Asso- |
ciated Charities centers; but a committee
has been appointed to find out what |
the poor that they may possess in their
homes the blessing of beauty.
Another work of great promise along
these same lines has been started through
the efforts of Mrs. Ina Steele Colson. A |
model village ON the plan of Letchworth. |
is already under way near WASH |
ington. A public-spirited, progressive cap. |
italist has purchased an immense tract
81 land and hopes soon to build factogiAs