New-York tribune., 1922-09-30
Art League Is
Planning Anew
On Forum Here
National Organization 10
Meet October 20 and
Discuss The Founding Of
an Americas, Institution
Hylan Project Remote
Artists Would BE Mutual
Shareholders Under Plan
That Will Be Advanced

Convinced that the art center
planned by tho Hylan administration is
too remote of realization TO satisfy
within a reasonable tine the constantly
growing needs of the artists, the
League Of American Artists again has
concentrated it's attention on an ar.
forum, plans for which were launched
by it with the support OF leading
artists ct mass meeting held here a
year ago.
A general meeting Of the League Of
American Artists, which comprises a
national membership of several thou
eand, will Dc called for October 26 at
the Washington Irving High School,
secretary. Robert Henri. who has
worked OIL the forum idea for more
than twenty years. will have charge
Of the meeting, Mr.. Bowes said, and
will advance plan for the acquiring
Of funds whereby the artists will be-
como mutual shareholders in the in
stitution.
According to original plans, the
forum or art center was to be clear
ing house for American art-a build
ing to cost close to S4000,Goo, with
studios, galleries and administra tive
Offices. It's erection was prompted
largely by the need of greater facili-
ties for the exhibition Of pictures, and
for headquarters where members Of
the profession could obtain tho bene
fits of mutual cooperation.
Originally sponsored as a civic move
ment, the forum idea was allowed to
lapse when the city took up the idea
of music and art center this year.
In the mean time, the League Of New
York Artists expandcd into q national
organization.
With the growth of the league to in
clude members in all parts of the
country, the League of American Ar
fists, according to Mr.. Bowes, has
again become cognizont of the need
of an art center, not merely one of
local scope, but such as will fiji the
requirements of the scattered and un-
organized groups Of artists living in
the various cities.
A plan for obtaining funds will be
presented at the coming meeting by
the building committee, which consists
George Bellows, Howard Giles, Mrs
Harry Payne Bingham and Robert
Henri. 1t is understood that funds will
be obtained by subscriptions to capital
stock and public subscription. By an
arrangement with exhibitors whereby
the forum will receive one-half of the
sale price of pictures and the artists
the other half, the members also will
automatically contribute TO the cost
of the building, receiving shares of
stock in return. The studio and gallery
rentals, together with dues paid into
the institution, are calculated to make
the institution self-supporting
An offer was made yesterday by ]
M. Gliding to the League of American
Artists to use the top floor space OF
the new building Of Gliding g. Co, on
Fifth Avenue, for exhibition purposes
pending the completion of the pro-
posed art center.
~ am doing this for two reasons
said Mr.. Gliding. 81 have a sincere in
terest in art and artists, and I want to
see Fifth Avenue the art center of New
York, perhaps of the world. The sec
|tion from Fiftieth Street to Central
Park is rapidly becoming the center
of New York commercial and art life
Yet, although its business life grows
day by day, Fifth Avenue constantly
adds to the beauties that has given il
rank among the worlds fairest boule-
wards. I can conceive of no more ideal
location for an art center than Fifth
Avenue.
II hope that you will be able to avail
yourself of the facilities that our build
ing offers as temporary quarters until
the completion of the proposed art
center. l shall be glad 20 see any com
mittee that you may send and to place
myself at your service"