Pueblo chieftain., 1921-05-21
ART AS A NATIONAL ASSET

i, American libraries most OF the books
he needs. tho American prudery will
check his researches in some direo-
tions. But there is no collection of
paintings in the United States which
will serve the American painter az
the Library of Congress. for example.
will serve tho writer and student Tho
United States Government has ono
small room in its national museum
devoted to painting and little of
value is in it. The metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York. Mr..
| Ponnell says, is a great historical col
| lection of art, az "A museum in sup
posed to be. but it docs not open its
doors 10 the contemporary art af tho
world.
| AS a result of this situation, neither
tho great artists of Europe nor their
pictures como to America. and the
Am nerican painter is forced to go to
! Europe in search of both. once there.
he finds so much more in tho way of
instruction and appreciation than he
can find at homo that he Is very apt
| to stay.
a National Art Center
The remedy that Mr.. Pcnncn pro-
poses for this situation is tho estab-
lishment of a National Department
of Fine Arts II would not be an in
novation in governmental method.
America, he says. is the only civilized
country in the world in which govern
ment docs nothing to promote art
He SAYS further that tho nucleus OF
such "A department exists in our Fine
Arts Commission. i body which has
done remarkably good work with
small power and funds Mr.. Pennell
would have this body given jurisdo.
tion over great American Eallory of
art in connection with which would
he conducted u government school of
art. Tho most promising students in
this school would be sent to Europe
to complete their cducations and
would then repay tho Government ~
becoming instructors in the school
FOR "a period OF years. In this way
American talent would be developed,
and would bo given Inducements to
stay in America Furthermore. tho
exhibitions and lectures in the gallery
would lay the foundations of a sound
nrtistic taste in America IL would
he a great educational institution for
tho general public as we'll as for the
students of art.
Above all. says Mr.. PcnneI. this
gallery and art school would be
great advertisement for tho United
States In general and for tho Capital
City in particular. II would he
1.-Two" gallery. open to all tho art Of
tho word. Great European artists
would come hero 10 exhibit and to sell
their pictures 10 rich Americans. Tho
whole art world would flock to
Washington at certain times. as It
now flocks to London and Paris Tho
world OF intellect and taste would be-
como aware Of America Distip-
guishcd visitors. with all that they
bring tn tho way Of wealth and ar-
portunity. would bo attracted TO tho
Capital Of tho United States Wash
in-ton might then begin to take its
plaro among tho real capitals Of
civilization, which arc world ccnteYs
tt,fr al ND al
That such n center Of intellectual
try sadly lacks was pointed out by
novelist. who recently visited Amer
lea II is interesting to note that.
lust as Mr.. pcnnell emphasizes tho
nccd for making Washington an art
center. Mr.. Galswor,hy believes that
IL must become the literary capital Of
America.
II can conceive or no possible
literary center for America. except
Washington" he writes. Any othee
important town would he ioslously re.
nounc"d ty all tho other important
townE."
Tho Eare is true Of Washington as
an art center, The whole country
country could take pride in ~
since George WashinEton'E time. =
physically beautiful city has been
created here out of mud fiat Per
hans the task Of the coming genera
iionR ~ to create an Intellectual
capital FOR America out OF an intel
lcctual void.