Evening star., 1914-11-28

AoHE coming week Will Dc one
Of the most eventful of the
winter. witnessing the gath
erins in this city of three i'm
portant groups of persons
yftally interested in art and It's de-
yeiopment. On December 2 the Amer1-
can Institute of Architects will open
tts annual convention in the convention
hall of the Shoreham Hotel; on the
Same day the opening session OF the
annual convention of the American
Civic Association will be held In the
New Willard, and while these assem-
blages are gathering the jury of selec-
t,on and award for the Corcoran Gal
Iery of Arts fifth biennial exhibition
Of contemporary American painting
will meet at tho Corcoran Gallery.
THE American Institute of Architects
represents not only those pro-
fessionally concerned with building.
hut those who recognize this as one OF
the major fine arts-in fact. the very
backbone of all art-and who have
both a broad outlook and a keen sense
of the close interrelation of the arts
The institute as a body has In the pase
rendered signal service to the natioh
in upholding standards and encourae-
ing development along artistic lines.
II is national organization, having
chapters in almost every state: 1ts
meetings are therefore widely repre-
sentative Its membership. what 1s
more, embraces the foremost In the ar
chttectual profession. Charles F. MO-
Kim was once its president. 30 also
was Cass Gilbert. But for Its earnest
and persistent advocacy the park COM
mission plan for the artistic develop
ment of Washington. which mas prevea
throughout the world, would probably
failed Of fulfillment. Through Its con-
sistent effort vast Improvement mas
been made in government architecture
in the past twenty years.
This is all of the utmost Importance
to the nation and to the individual.
AS a people we shall be judged by the
character of our building. as indi-
ytduals we cannot but be affected by
it. furthermore, 1t Is idle to suppose
that In the production of painting and
sculpture we can excel unless We are
capable OF superior building. The arts
are in the final analysis one and the
same.
THE convention of the American In
l stitute of Architects will continue
for three days, concluding Friday
evening with a banquet at which there
will be prominent speakers. The spe-
cial features of this convention VIII be
the unveiling of a memorial tablet
placed by Congress on the exterior of
the Octagon, which Is both the prop
erty and the headquarters of the
American Institute Of Architects. to
commemorate the ratification of tho
treaty of Ghent by President Madison.
In February. 1915, while residing In
this house, which after the burning of
the Executive Mansion in 1914 by the
British served temporarily as the
Presidents Office and residence. This
ceremony will take place Wednesday
at Has o'clock. the President of the
United States unveiling the tablet and
making an address. On Thursday
evening at $40 o'clock. in the build
ing of the Pan-American Union. the
gold medal of the institute will be
awarded to Jean Louis Pascal of
France. and in his absence will be re-
ceived for him by the ambassador from
France, M Jules J. Jusserand.
This medal Is awarded from time to
time to those who In the opinion Of
the institute have rendered exceptional
service in the cause of art through
distinguished accomplishment. Among