Evening star., 1915-05-23

q INTEREST i'll the exhibition of
III American industrial art set forth
< in the National Museum under the
ausrices of the American Federation of
Arts increases apparently as the days
pass. The attendance during the past
week has averaged more than 500
day. yet so large is the space occu-
pied by the exhibit that at no time
has the place been crowded
If a prize were to be awarded 1t
would without doubt go to the makers
of wrought iron. whose exhibits have
called forth universal commentator
and admiration. Foremost among these
is Samuel YeI!in of Philadelphia,
graduate of the Pennsylvania Museum
School of Industrial Art. Mr.. Yellin
shows hinges, locks, knockers and
panels which compare very favorably
with the best works of the old crafts
men in foreign lands. Much that he
shows is elaborate in design, but is ex-
ecuted with the exquisite skin which
might well be spent upon work in
precious metal.
f.. kra ser & Co, representing a num-
ber of expert workers, also make an
excellent showing in this medium-ex-
amples which in both design and
craftsmanship would put many of the
jewellers to shame.
Some beautiful erills have come from
the John Williams foundry, resem bling
in pattern heavy lace, yet fabricated in
designs entirely suitable to the ma
terial and use. Googherty & Co. also
make excellent showing in smaller
objects, such as knockers, hinges, etc,
in wrought iron.
1t is Interesting and curious that II
is in iron rather than material of
finer texture that American Industrial
art workers truly seem to have achiev-
ed their greatest success.
The great obstacle in the development
of industrial art in America is the lack
of skilled designers who have meas
ure of technical training To make IA
design is one thing: TO apply it is an
other. The Pennsylvania Museum School
of Industrial Art is notable in teaching g
design entirely in connection with pro-
duction In its textile school fabrics
are actually woven. in it's school of
fine arts each department forms a pro-
ducing center. and pottery, cement OBJ
jects, furniture, jcWelry are actually
made by the designers-So is IRON
wrought and wood carved II is this
school which reports rs per cent of its
graduates in lucrative positions in the
art industries. and il is also this school
that has occupied one entire room at
the museum by its display.
ThfS school exhibit lnciuGFS Dy
present students and GraduateS-such,
among the latter, for instance, as Mr..
Yellin, worker in wrought iron. and
Mrs. Swecny, designer and maker or
stained glass. Its exhibit is extremely
varied and comprehensive, and each
thing shown is of intrinsic interest.
from the little ship in iron purposcd as
weather v.Ane. to the finest Jeweiry
most delicately wrought.
1~ HE American Family Room of To-
day, which forms section of the
| Industrial arts exhibit at the National
Museum, has attracted much interest
through both its novelty and charm.
II is hard to believe that this is merely
display, for it has so fine an air OF
completion and association with the
home. Everything shown therein-in-
deed, everything set forth in this entire
exhi ibitioG-was made in America from
American designs. and although some
of the things are. perchance, not as
perfect as they might be- still the whole
is extremely harmonious and satisfac-
| tory.
The value of the effect is. to be sure,
largely derived through the discrimi-
mating taste which placed each object.
The general scheme was originated IN
Grand Rapids by the editor of Good
Furniture. but it was carried out in
detail and ella aborated by William Lau-
rel Harris. who is not only an associate
editor of that magazine. but well
known mural painter and member Of
the leading art societies in New York.
Attention is called in n leafiet refer
| ring to this room to the fact that so far
the greatest achievements in American
art have been in the eld of painting
and sculpture. and warning is given
| lest in our enthusiasm for the newer
interests engendered by Industrial art
we forget the value of the fine arts.
Hence there have been introduced in
/, this room paintings by American art
! lists. among which may be noted several
| very pleasing and distinguished water
| colors by William H. Holmes. president
| of the Washington Water Color Club,
! and works in sculpture by A Phimister
| Proctor. Richard K. Brooks and II. K.
| Bush Brown.
| To Mr.. Bush-Brown's daughter ac-
knowledgment is given for the very