Evening star., 1928-11-26
PUBLIC 1OD DECIDE
ART PRIZE WINNER
Referendum Being Taken at
Exhibit in Corcoran
Gallery.

The popular referendum whereby the
art-lo9ing general public is clothed with
judicial powers. competent to- award a
handsome prize, which has been a fea-
ture for some years past in connection
with the biennial exhibitions of con-
temporary American oil paintings held
by the Corcoran Gallery Of Art, began
at noon today.
During the remainder of this week
and also through next Sundays gallery
hours, which are from 2 until 5 o'clock,
each visitor to the exhibition will be
handed q printed ballot and cordially
invited to write thereon his or. her per-
sonal opinion as to the best picture In
the display and to deposit the slip In d
ballot box installed on either floor.
Special Prize Of $500.
On the publicfs choice depends the
award of a special prize Of 5000, given
by the gallery, not only as a supple
mentary reward In connection with the
biennial but also as an impetus to the
careful and serious study Of the pictures
therein on the part of visitors. 1t has
been found in the past that those who
come to view these displays and to vote
do give the matter their best thought
and attention and avail. themselves
seriously of the interesting opportunity
afforded them by gallery officials 1t
also has happened thus far that the
public. while often differing widely from
the opinion OF the professional jury on
award which decides on the winners
of the rich William A. Clark prizes,
usually selects thoroughly good pic
ture on which to bestow its favor
This frequent difference of opinion
may be perhaps partially explained by
the fact that each and every painting
in the exhibition is eligible to receive
the popular prize. This is not the
case with the Clark awards, for as far
considerable number of excellent
paintings shown are for one rea-
son or another not eligible. The bal.
lots cast, the number of which is always
a high one, will be counted by some
outside agency designated by the
gallery officials and the result an
nounced as soon after next Sunday as
possible.
Referendum Popularity Grows.
These popular referendums have been
distinctive features of the Corcoran
biennial exhibitions since the sixth OF
the series, held in December, 1916, and
January, 1917. On that occasion there
WdS SuCAA 0AFCA SCAASC VA SPAAASAA NS W.
the merits of the first Clark prize VIM
ner that gallery officials tried the first
of these events as an experiment. Such
Widespread interest did 1t arouse that
it has not only been repeated with e. IN
biennial exhibit, but has been w - Y
initiated by art institutions in otlAer
centers which likewise wish to encour-
age in their visitors keen and dis
criminatng interest In their exhibits.
The 5000 prize to be bestowed Is
entered as an item In the expenses
incidental to organizing the exhibition.
Inasmuch as Mrs. Clark, widow OF the
donor Of the generous Clark prizes, has
recently endowed the Corcoran Gallery
with large sum, income from which Is
to be used for expenses in connection
with the biennials, this popular prize
becomes, In effect, hers, so that all
awards given on these occasions are
directly or indirectly the gifts Of Sena-
tor and Mrs. Clark.
Owing to the fact that Thursday viii
be Thanksgiving day, the hours during
which the exhibition may be viewed will
be from until o'clock instead Of from
until 4:30 o'clock. Tuesday Thursday,
Saturday and Sunday are free days. 1t
is hoped that notwithstanding the inclu-,,
sion of a holiday, the vote cast viii
prove large one, commensurate with
the exceptional interest the present
comprehensive and varied exhibition has
called forth. * p