Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1915-01-13
AN AUSP|C|0US
BEGINNING Of
ART EXHIBITION
Throngs Fill Woman's Club
On Opening Day Of First
Arizona Art Display;
Mrs. Evans Comments
On New Move


club where the first Arizona art exbi-
bition was held. Not even the most
optimistic had hoped for the creditablc
exhibition it proved to be. That it was
the beginning, and most suspicious
one. of an art movement in the fullest
sense of the word, was evident from the
earnestnesS with which the public
viewed the work of Arizona artists. 1t
was more than an expression from a
critical viewpoint it was congratula-
ton encouragement and promise for
cooperation ana material help in the
future. There was but one regret-the
unavoidable absence of Jessie Benton
Evans, who was too i'll to act as head
of the jury of selection. This placed
her pictures in the competitive class,
her sculptural picture taking the prize.
Her subject was Comeback, another of
her Arizona scenes was Four Peaks,
while in the loan collection was her
''Washerwomen of Verona" that won
the prize at the Paris Salon.
Marjorie Thomas was given honor
able mention for her "Burros" while
other paintings in her collection, es-
pecially The Desert created much
favorable comment. Helen Ely eXhib-
tied samples of practical newspaper
work. drawings to illustrate fashion
articles that were of great interest to
Miss Ely's admiring friends She is at
present associated with the New York
Herald. Originals and engravers proofs
of leighton James Illustrations in
Ainslee's We're interesting features of
the exhibit. The pen and ink sketch of
President Woodrow Wilson was Il
splendid example of his clever work.
Miss Fay De Mund had IA small but
choice collection of illustrations.
The work of the public schools was
shown in an original cartoon, free hand
paper cutting, sketch from life and an
original study of lines and values in
landscape
lura Hocma Of the Indian school was
among those who paid close attention
to each picture exhibited. His own
sketches. life studies, were remarkable
and the boys work won much COM
mendable criticism.
Through the efforts of the loan COM
nittee, Mrs. W. X. James, chairman, a
collection OF worth While pictures were
offered for inspection. Akin Margar-
gee, Rollins, SauerWein. Kate Cory and
Jessie Benton Evans We're among the
artists whose paintings were shown. A
Pre- Raphaelite loaned by Mrs. Louis H.
Chamer and a seventeenth century
study in oil by Adrian Van der Werff,
loaned by Mrs. w. X James were
greatly appreciated. Three pieces of
sculpture by Emery Kopter was an
added feature to the loan exhibit.
Mrs. c. +. Answorth, chairman of the
club, who suggested and was one of the
most indefatigable workers in the sue
cess of the exhibition was delighted
with its result 1T was a fair begin
ming in a worthy undertaking" she de-
clared last evening.
Mrs. Ainsworth read the paper pre-
pared by Mrs. Evans, who was to have
addressed the gathering. 1t follows
The inauguration Of any worthy
movement is a great pleasure. and this
of your first art exhibition particularly
so, as it may be regarded as the nuclc
us of a service that is bound to so on,
with the evolution of the rapid growth
of your city. The need is felt, the mi
tiatiVc taken. its cXistancc at all proves
this as a certainty having succeeded
under one of the most adverse .epochs
of our country's history.
In country as new and beautiful,
dis well as individual as yours is, ID very
great opportunity for the development
Of an art Of your own must necessarily
exist.
The covering of the desert is
strange and fanciful the skies of the
deepest intensity. yet delicate to des-
pair. The plant life; fairy like in it's
sublety and evasiveness: alluring il
lusive and individual; which is Ari-
zona's chief charm and should give her
art the same dominant note and faS-
sination. Her virginity also gives ev-
cry opportunity to the creative mind.
Her nature has an austere and superb
sublimity. which recalls the words Of
the French poet who said: lie beau
est toujours severe, also Les habits
thniiSclt les lnOtuTS, therefore NOW
necessary that we consider the harmony
of our surroundings, especially arch
tccturaily, for the smaller things are
subservient to it. Across the water we
are first impressed with regard to
outline and beautiful proportions. with
them it is not only commanded by
their discretion and culture but by law
The mind should so connect itself to
this harmony that it becomes part
of us; a religion, and any undue or I'M
necessary detail so Offered as that the
standard of our buildings as fore
grounds. be made to meet the great
beauty nature has given us as back
ground.
In the appreciation and recognition
of beauty that is so subtly diffused
throughout all that is: in the study of
kingdoms of the world in the methods
employed by which all operations are
conducted: the skill of the physician,
or surgeon the genius of the writer and
the facility of the brush: one thing
remains a dominant and imperative
note in its successful rendering, sim
plcity. The machinery of all great
work must remain unincumbered. The
picture must be painted without i'm
penetrable forms.
European art eliminated in the Rem