Evening star., 1928-05-16

PRESIDENT Cooiluge spoke as IolloWS al
the joint meeting of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Arts and the American Asso-
citation of Museums here today:
Fellow Countrymen:
This Joint meeting of the American
Federation of Arts and the American
Association of Museums indicates an
increasing interest In our country In the
spiritual side of life While We have
been devoted to the development of our
material resources, as Nation ought to
be which heeds the admonition to be
deligent in business, we have not been
neglectful OF the higher things of life
In fact. believe 1t can be demonstrated
that the intellectual and moral awaken
ing which characterized our people in
their early experiences was the fore
runner and foundation of the remark
able era of development in which we
now live. But In the midst of all the
Swift-moving events We have an increas-
ing need for inspiration. Men and
women become conscious that they must
seek for satisfaction in something more
than worldly success. They are moved
with a desire to rise above themselves
1t is but natural. therefore, that we
should turn to the field of art.
Distinction in Arts.
"In It's early inception the term arts
embraced the whole realm of liberal
culture. Our institutions of learning
have perpetuated this idea in the de
grees of bachelor of arts and master OF
arts. We have come to make diStinc-
ton, however, between arts intended to
appeal primarily to the emotions and
those designed to be of practical value.
We refer to painting, sculpture, the
adornments of architecture. music, poe
try and the drama as fine arts. More
recently we have designated the perfec-
ton and refinement of the design of
articles fabricated by modern machinery
as industrial arts. But in wider sense
the arts include all those manifesto
tionS of beauty created by man which
broaden and enrich life. IT is an at
tempt To transfer to others the highest
and best thoughts which the race has
experienced. The Self-expreSSion which
it makes possible rises into the realm
of the divine.
In recognition Of these principles the
American Federation of Arts was found
ed nearly 20 years ago. It has for its
purpose not only the promotion OF art
for its own sake but to relate 1t to the
life of the people IN such a way as to
increase happiness and advance civili-
cation. It places especial emphasis on
the art Of living.
Dim Beginnings OF Art.
"It is impossible to conjecture when
the race first began to seek its happi-
ness by creating forms of beauty. Very
early, however, II gives expression to its
desire for adornment in the making 3f
the home. Architecture is very old.
Art made very considerable strides in
the early days of our own country. But
in the commercial and industrial ex-
panSion which followed the discovery Of
gold In California and during the war
period the people had scarcely any OPP
portunity for other things, and art re-
ceived little attention. When 1t revived
in the latter part OF the century Ii
turned q great deal OF attention to
architecture. At the time Henry H.
Richardson designed Trinity Church at
Boston he gave La Fargo the opportu-
nifty to enhance its beauty with mural
decorations. He was also an inspira-
ton to the group to which Stanford
White and Augustus Saint -Gaudens be-
longed. But 1t was the Worlds Fair at
Chicago in 1893 which gave a band of
earnest and gifted artists the oppor-
tunity for expressing their ideals of
beauty.
THE result was the White City. This
made profound impression on those
who had the good fortune To visit Ii,
and seemed TO revive and inspire q de-
sire for more beautiful surroundings
which was Nationwide. A few years
later came the Library of Congress, in
the decoration of which Blashfield,
Walker, Simmons. Cox. Melchers and
other mural artists co-operated under
the supervision of Miliet. Their murals
were made an integral part OF the de-
sign. That idea has been carried out
since in many monumental public build
ings throughout the country.
Plan Commission Created.
"The washington Plan Commission.
with which the name Of Senator James
Mcmillan of Michigan win always be
associated, was created In 1901. 1t in
cIuded such illustrious names as Burn
ham, McKin, Saint -Gaudens and Ohm
sted. Its report not only pointed the
way back 10 the original L'Enfant plan
for the National Capital but started a
national movement for a more orderly
and artistic development Of our cities.
The elaborate plans now under way for
the construction of public buildings
which will make Washington the most
beautiful capital In the world is one OF
the results of this movement. This
stirring of a national art consciousness
the realization that there should be
some medium for the expression and
growth OF this aroused interest In the
finer things OF life. probably had much
to do with the inception Of the Fedora
ton OF Arts.
ideas at first rather indefinite have
been expanded and clarified. and your
federation exists today~~frtiitful In GOOD
worke--a most effective aid IN the prog
ress toward the ideal OF beauty, Your
5000 members, In addition 10 the more
than 400 art museums and associations
in afIiliation, comprise network OF
Nationwide influence. Your travelling
exhibitions of art, including paintings,
sculpture. prints and examples OF the
Industrial and decorative arts, have been
displayed In communities In 40 States
and IN Canada this past Winter. Most
OF the exhibits were provided by mui~
vidualg or associations. To develop an
appreciation of art you furnish type
written lectures with iantern-slide illus
trations Your own publications and
others which you make available are
most helpful. Not only do you answer
community appeals but you respond tn
the individual gTOplnR LOT hFt' As u
striking example Of how notable results
have followed small beginnings, the
story is told OF farmers request Tor a
good picture of Jersey heifer. The
plea found response. Gradually an
interest in real art was aroused In this
man. Eventually. largely through his
efforts, an art building was put up at
the fair grounds Of his State. Other
states have followed this example.
Financial Aid Given.
aid In the extension OF your work
has been given by various philanthropic
endowmenLg. One III interested In the
elevation Of industrial arts In America
ON the sound theory that beauty In 0
commercial product is worth while. not
only materially but also estheticaily, and
that ii gives an opportunity TO bring art
into the home Another appropriation