Evening star., 1933-10-01

the local art schools is exceptionally
large: exhibitions planned by the
various art institutions and gal
leries are of an exceedingly attrac-
tive character.
The first exhibition of the season at the Cor
coran Gallery of Art will be sponsored by three
First Ladies'" the wives of three Presidents OF
tie United States-Mrs Calvin Coolidge Mrs
Herbert Hoover and Mrs. Franklin d. RooSe-
velt It will consist of handlcrafts from the
Southern Highlands, assembled and circulated
by the American Federation OF Arts. nrSt
shown last August at conference at Biacks-
burg Va held by the American Country Lie
Association The crafts to be shown are those
practiced in the States of Virginia. West Vir-
ginia North Carolina, Tennessee, georgia ana
Kentucky and all exhibits set forth Will oe
the work of members of the Southern High
lands Handicraft Guild with headquarters at
Asheville.
handicrafts as a part of daily life have long
persisted therefore that they are employed to-
day is a matter of continuity rather than OF
revival; it is as it has always been IL SnCuIo
not be supposed. however, that there has been
no effort to re-awaken interest and to re-estao-
lish values Those from outside have lent
hand in this direction and there are now various
centerS of activity from which benencent
influence flows.
The exhibition will comprise wood carving
needlework, dolls. baskets, brushes and broomS.
bedspreads, bead work. weaving, hooked rugs
and hargngs, pewter and toys-au but the
latter useful as we'll as beautiful-simple and
fine These are genuine works of art and have
what is more, essentially human touch, many
of them in fact, being much more than tinged
by the romance Of life still very simple and
at the same time very American This exhibl-
tion will be set forth in the atrium Of the Cor
coran Gallery.
I ATER in the month-October 21-the Carl
= Melchers Memorial Exhibition will be opened
in the four galleries constituting the west wing
where 1t is customary for the Corcoran Gallery
to show its European paintings and where last
season. so effectively, was shown the lnolan
exhibition The Melchers exhibition, In tribute
to a great painter who chanced to be, during
recent wears trustee and adviser Of the Cor
coran Gallery of Art, will be one OF the events
net only of the Winter but OF many Winters
A great exhibition of Mr.. Melchers' works in
appreciation of his achievements was on view
at the American Academy of Arts and Letters
In New York at the time of the artists death.
Because of the Importance Of the Melchers
exhibition at the Corcoran Gallery, arrange
ments have been made by the director OF the
gallery to continue it for period Of six weeks
that is, until the early part OF December.
THE Corcoran Gallery and its director have
! suffered additional loss Of late in the death
Of Charles Plat, the well known painter.
etcher and architect who has been close
friend of the director and wise adviser Tor
some years. The Corcoran Gallery has had
the privilege Of exhibiting from time to time
groups Of Mr.. Platt's etchings, also examples
of his oil paintings-works invariably OF artistic
feeling and evident sensitiveness of perception.
Mr.. Platt it will be remembered, was the archi-
tect of the new Clark and West wings OF the
Corcoran Gallery of Art. He gave to not only
the designing but the erection Of these build
ings devoted and sklful attention. Mr.. Platt
was also the architect Of the Freer Gallery. It
is not so generally known that some years ago.
as . commission from the late w. K Bixby OF
St. Louis. q great art lover and patron, with
the approval Of the regents Of the Smithsonian
institution, Mr.. Plat designed and drew plans.
ffIly detailed, for National Gallery OF Art
building when funds for such might be avail
able. Mr. Platt was also the architect Of the