Evening star., 1915-05-16
u
10

IN He, past week has been eHe"'lu''
II with the convention OF the
q American Federation of Arts at
tended by artists and others yitally m
terested in art from all parts OF the
country, the opening of the great eN-
hibition of American industrial art IN
the National Museum and the dinner
on the evening of the l4th. in the IN
terest of the industrial arts. at which
there were notable speeches.
1t is well at such times as these to
emphasize as has been done by these
several events. the value and impor-
tance of the simple arts of peace which
tend toward creating higher thought
and conducting better living.
This note was repeatedly echoed in
the convention of the American FEEDER
alton of Arts. the program of which
was entirely given over to a considera-
tion' of art education in it's broadeSt
sense. Again in the industrial, art eN-
hibition the same message is found. and
to the speeches made at the dinner it
was the keynote.
Beauty is an essential in the life of
the cultivated man and woman-it is
also IA large factor in industrial devei-
opment-therefore. art which deals pri-
marily with beauty in its various ex
pressions is a thing of deep Significance
to the individual and to the nation.
And vet as rule art is one of the
things which are most frequently taken
as a matter of course, or else regarded
as a non-essential-a mere luxury. a
fad.
To some extent the reason for this
| is the misconception that art embraces
merely painting and sculpture. such an
| error should be dispelled by the ex-
hibition now view in the National !
Museum There is nothing there which
has not use. yet there is. on the other
hand, nothing which does not derive IT'S
first and chief value through artistic
! design. Carpets. rugs. pottery. porce-
lain. glassware have little intrinsic in
terest as exhibits from the mere stand
point of utility, but when the element
of beauty is added they may give real
enjoyment and do attain true s1gnln-
, canoe.
to exhaust the interest of this exhibit
ton. but those who view it once Will
be likely to go and go again
IMNE section of this exhibition will
W have special interest for all those
who had the privilege Of attending the
lectures the decorative dIts given
by Frank Alvah Parsons in this city
last winter This is an art in house
furnishing exhibit. which has been
gotten ur by the Art and Trades CUB
Of New York under The direction OF
Nr. Parsons II is i wall exhibit about
ninety feet in length and sixty inches
in height showing photographs and
water-color sketches of rooms suitably
decorated with samples of the wall
covering drapery materials, etc. actual
Is employed. In addition there is eS-
pia nt.tory text giving principles 81
color and design. so that those " no
care 10 20 into the matter seriously can
receive real instruction.
This exhibition was completed early
IN April and shown for "a fortnight or
more in the Metropolitan Museum.
after which il was displayed ~ the
annual meeting Of the Eastern Art and
Ma nual Training Teachers Association
IN Buffalo whence il has come
here. After remaining IN the National
Museum all summer ii viii start out
as = circuit display. going from place
to place under the auspices of The
American Federation OF Arts. Already
many places have requested H.