Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-05
iBY LEILA MECHLIN.

AbAAA EvAEAnLANs
TINE Society of Washington Artists
opens its thirty-ninth annual
exhibition in the Corcoran CAL
Il lery of Art this afternoon. In
cluded therein will be 1877 oil
paintings and few small bronzes. The
majority of these are by local artists,
but the exhibition is open to all living
American artists. and some of the works
to be shown have come from as far as
California.
The Society of Washington Artists
was organized with the purpose of hold
ing annual exhibitions, advancing the
interests OF the artists and securing
wider support for local art. It has been
an influential element in the art life of
the National Capital.
During The first years Of the society's
existence the annual exhibitions were
held in the assembly room of the Cos
mos Club, thrown open upon these oc-
casions to the public. Among the ex-
hibitors and leaders In the movement at
that time were Richard N Brooke Ed
mund Clarence MeSSer, Parker Mann,
Max Weyl Lucien Powell, E. F. Andrews,
E. H. Miller and others, whose works
are included now in the permanent COL
lection OF the Corcoran Gallery of Art
and in the homes of prominent local
collectors. Upon one or two occasions
bAtC dIlIludl Ol GIlG SOCIETY
of Washington Artists were held at
woodward e. Lothrop'S in what was
then the new store at the corner of F
and Eleventh streets. Then for a time
the society had a gallery of its own on
Connecticut avenue, abandoned eventu-
ally when the Corcoran Gallery of Art
moved into its new building and made
its hemicycle gallery available for the
local showingS.
When this materialized the annual
exhibitions took on a much more i'm
poFtant aspect. Not only did they in
clude notable works by local artists, but
also works by the leading artists of New
York. Richard N. Brooke was at that
time president, and largely through his
initiative and effort these exhibitions
became notable affairs, attracting the
attention of those in other cities as well
as here.
The local contingent at that time had
been strengthened by the advent Of the
then younger set-Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Nichols, Everett Warner and Juliet
Thompson, to name only a few, all of
whom have since won prominent place
in New York, Philadelphia, Boston,
Pittsburgh and other cities where they
have taken up residence. Contributing
TO these exhibitions from out Of town
were painters such as John w. Alex
ander, Childe HaSSam, j. Alden Weir
and william M. Chase-men whose
names will always loom large in the
history of American art.
It was the Importance of these ex-
hibitions organized by the local society
that first induced the Corcoran Gallery
of Art to institute its now famous BIZ
ennials, which, because Of their extent,
careful selection and large awards, are
among the most notable exhibitions of
~ hald IN thic country
Having accomplished this end, the So
ciety Of Washington Artists went back
to its original character and for the |
past 10 or Is years has contented itself
in showing, chiefly the work of local
artists. But its exhibitions have In |
variably been upheld to high stand |
srd..r the present exhibition conforming |
10 the rule.
This is day Of rapid change, and |
In no field is it seen more than In the |
field of art. To a great extent, within |
the last few years old inherited tradi- |
tions have. been cast aside; new ira
ditions are in the making. The current |
exhibition will be found to illustrate adj |
mirably some of the tendencies at work |
today. There are paintings included
therein which show the influence OF
cubism; there are others which conform |
to the tenetS of post-impreSSionism |
there are few witnessing to faith |
full adherence to the ideals Of the past. |
And between the two extremes are
works well colorful, ad-
mirably rendered, evidencing the posi-
bility Of mingling old and new and of
effecting, through the medium Of
change, good result. No one will deny
that the art of painting had become
somnolent, that an awakening was
needful. The awakening has come, and
in many instances the effect Is good.
Our exhibitions today are far fresher
in spirit. more vigorous in color than
q few years back
Included in the exhibition opening
this afternoon will be seen figures,
landscapes, still life. painted in many
ways-for art is various and PERSONAL
but most often painted we'll
The exhibition will continue until
January 81 and will be open to the pub
lie under the same rules and reglla-
tons as the Corcoran Gallery-Tues-
day, Thursday and Saturday from 9
am. to 4:30 pm. and on Sunday after