The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-05-04
Frederick Haskin's Letter
. Arsual
Industrial Code For Coal Industry
,orrsspondence Of The Arsua.l

Even Mrs. Clare Sheridan. the
English sculptor, whose diaries a,
least have received a cordial wei
come, finds the world hostile tn
ward the artistic temperament in
the spring. 81 cannot live in Amer
ica," she complained recently. "1
must have serenity. would MT
live in England; 1 have too many
relatives there. 1 could live in
Italy, but there is no money IN
in Russia, but there is no food"
To the creative artist who hpds
himself or herself in a dilemma AZ
this kind, the art retreat offers an
interesting solution. Nothing o0uI5
be more satisfactory than the Mac-
Dewell colony, for example. II is
in no sense philanthropic enter
prise for impecunious artists INT
it offers at absurdly low rates ore
cisely what the struggling writer or
composer or painter needs-a place
where he can work at top speed
with the necessary fresh air. sound
sleep and uninterrupted DAYS
There is serenity without bola-
dom: for after working hours, he
comes in contact with a number Of
fellow workers just as earnestly
artistic as he.
The small sums paid BY the art
lists for sleeping quarters, food.
studios and other comforts repre-
sent only fraction OF the upkeep
of the colony It draws its chief
support from three other sources.
from the annual dues of the Mac
Dowell association, which range
from IS to 500 a year: from con
trihutions to the general fund BY
private individuals. the proceeds Of
Mrs. Edward MacDowell's annual
recitals coming under this head,
and the yearly interest on the en-
dowment fund. which is. unfortnn-
ately. small and somewhat cramp-
ing to the growth of the enterprise.
Memorial TO Composer.
The colony is memorial to Ed
ward Mcdowell, the composer,
who retired to the picturesque old
farm at Peterborough in 1895.
There in the woods" we are told,
'he built for himself a log cabin,
and in that cabin, which still stands,
out the whole world. he
did the larger part of his ablest
work. 1t was his hope that other
workers in the arts, not necessarily
composers, might enjoy the
same privileges of quiet and peace,
and it is the realization of that
4hnt fhA Of h.
itor today.
"A score of studios. beautifully
built, each one with it's fireplace
for chilly days, are scattered over
3 tract of land that is much larger
now than the original farm. Each
studio is an oasis in itself. hidden
rom the others, masked by green
from neighbors. The
worker sees nothing but the sky
overhead and the varying emerald
IF trees on all sides. No sounds
each him but the animated argu-
nents of birds and the winds in
he strawberries.
There is central building
nown as Colony hall from which
he workers depart each morning
or their respective studios. All
lay they remain secluded, wrapped
ID in their own endeavors. Lunch
s left for them on their doorsteps.
70 one calls upon them, except by
special invitation. The long clear
lay is all their own. to compose
heir music in, to paint pictures, to
write their dramas and poems and
novels"
About 5 o'clock in the afternoon
hey lock up their studios and re-
urn to civilization. as no artificial
lights are allowed in the work
ooms.
And, indeed writes one artist,
Who spent a summer at Peterbor-
ugh. the day was quite long
nough. l experienced that mental
that meant something
bought out thoroughly. After din
Ter there were many books to read
d the library or a coy gathering
efore the large fireplace or even
game of pool. BY O'Clock cur
yes were usually heavy with sleep.
IF we would go to bed to slumber
ute dreamlessly, with no elevated
rains laundering by to disturb our
est"
The only trouble with such col
MES is that there are not enough
f them, and those which do exist
re not nearly as well financed as
hey should be. It is to be hoped
hat the new gift of the Pine Garde
state will stimulate the interest
( other philanthropists in the vel
are of our living American artists
nth whom is entrusted the future
{ American letters and art.