South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-06-24
Civic Improvement

a real. tangible art interest IN a
town is not only delightful but is al
so necessary. II progress in artistic
civic Improvement Is hoped for and
desired" according 70 Miss Edith
Van BOskerck. a designer and dec
orator. with "A studio in Plainheld. a
New Jersey town. II was, doubt
less. because Of this conviction Of
hers that she stablished what she
calls her "ROokery" in Plainheld.
This was. originally. an old stable
but it possessed the advantages of a
good location among pleasing sur
roundings and a frontage on the
street. II was when Jonas Lie, the
Norwegian painter who had lived
and worked for some time in Plain
held, during the earlier part Of his
career. had accepted an invitation 10
come out TO that town 10 exhibit his
pictures that Miss Van Boskerck's
"Rookery" became transformed
from stable into gallery.
This new art gallery is a small
dark green building. tucked away
among lilac bushes. hydrangeas and
cedars. with a stepping stone path
leading IN from the street; a quaint
place which one could easily mag
inc 10 be a favorite haunt Of birds,
particularly Of white pigeons. That
was why Ks artist owned named IL
the "Rookery" A parrot with gor-
geous piumage occupies one of the
panes in a window beside the door
and aids a brilliant touch Of color
TO the somber cedars just outside.
The original broad stable door has
been beautifed by the addition of
some finely modelled old English
escutcheons and heavy iron ham
dies. Just outside the door. against
the BACKGROUND Of thick shrubbery,
are "A few attractive pieces of gar
den furniture. stone bench, an old
stone pillar with its basket OF stone
fruit and a Roman chair, also of
stone. At one side Of the door,
against a clump of cedars. hangs a
gazing ball suspended by a heavy
chain from a beautiful old English
iron bracket This reflects the gar
den in miniature and, as il hangs
from a movable bracket. can be
moved at will Most people put
their gazing balls on stationary
pedestaIs but. apparently. Miss Van
Boskerck thinks that anything so in
teresting in its changing scenes
should not be confined 20 a fixed
position.
Within. for Mr. Lies exhibition,
the walls were covered with plated
-ycIlow-which made
an appropriate background for those
pictures so brilliant with sunshine.
Later on. a garden show was held
az the "ROokery" a real garden
show with large and small trees
brought from the mountainside and
set up inside. 4 latticed door at the
rear allowed the sunshine 10 pour in
and illuminate bird bath. Repro
auctions OF fine old Greek statues
were placed al points of vantage
and sun dials were SO arranged, IN
relation 10 the sunlight, as 10 give
the impression that one could really
tell the time by them. One Of the
most interesting features was foun-
tain cleverIv arranged by means Of
mirrors and running water, Tor the
old stable possessed. over near one
corner. a sink. which has proved 20
no exceedingly useful I'm various
decorating schemes Miss Van
Roskerck herself, wearing a garden
costume OF style popular a cen
fury ago. mounted what was called
A fairy platform at the rear, with
wall foundation for decoration, and
gave a talk on gardens, making an
urgent plea TO the guests present TO
encourage more interest in, and un-
derstanding OF gardens in the COM
nunity.
Another event az the hospitahle
..Rookery" was an exhibition Of por-
traits painted by Jean Mclean and
John c. JOhansen These pictures
REQUIRED a different background and
so. TO accommodate them and show
them at their best. the ceiling and
cornice we're painted gold and the
walls we're covered with burlap, in
70 which the frames seemed 10 melt,
thus allowing the portraits TO stand
out wildly The floor was stained
almost black and highly polished. A
friendly curiosity shop lent few
pieces Of beautiful old Tudor furni-
ture. which helped bring out the
quality OF the paintings
The interest shown at these vari- |
Gus exhibitions at the "ROokery'
proves. according 20 Miss Van Bos-
kerck. the need Of an art center in /
any town or village so far from a |
city. for a days trip only. usually /
cannot spare the time necessary 10 |
enjoy the exhibitions and treasures |
- +be civ Galleries
The "Rookery." they say. is never /
idle Afusicales and meetings Of 1
various sorts are held there, the de- /
mand for it's hospitality is continu-
Gus also there is an upper story /
which they use as n studio or store
house. a. il is desired or needed
Almost any town, II would seem, !
must have an old stable or garage |
which might be made into just such |
an attractive place as this Rock /
erv." And. II e. were not possible 20 /
have some well known artist come |
AZ once % hold an exhibition in it /
the people themselves miGht set mp /
one OF their own n neighhorhood /
loan exhibition. perhaps. with beau /.