The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-02

Hartford, Conn, Dec 2-Restor- alton of the traditional Catholic function as a patron of contempo- rary and national art is the object of the recently formed Andrea Art Guild, Hartford, Conn. an associa- ton of Catholic priests and lay men under the direction of the Rev Andrew J. Kelly, rector of St An thony of Padua church there. Widely known among artists and critics as discriminating and in. formed collector and firm persona: friend of contemporary painters, Father Kelly hopes that the new group will encourage general aes- thetic appreciation as '. ell as en- courage the artist to produce rever- ent but modern conceptions in the field of distinctly religious art. This perspective is shared by his asso- ciates who agree with him that the time has come to foster among art- ists an appreciation of that ideoi- oey which lent itself majestically to the interpretation of the great est masters of all time.
 Several means of promoting this new departure have been deter mined upon and are underway. The guild has secured a portion of a building in Hartford in which it will hold one man exhibitions monthly. These exhibitions Will not be limited strictly to paintings in the field of religious art. Artists of repute in whom it is hoped to stimulate an interest in this held will be invited to exhibit works in the more general field. And, Fath- CT Kelly is convinced, many Of these men have examples of rel1g- ious art which have never been shown out of fear of adverse crit icism or a charge of sentimental ity. In support of this he points out that a leading figure in the art world recently confided to him that frequently young artists diffidently show him works of religious pow CT and significance which this pho- bia prevents them from publicly displaying. Here, Father Kelly feels, is q fresh perspective for the distinctly American artist. The guild hopes in time to commission such men to do distinctly religious picturizations. Technical excel lence and truly artistic merit will determine the selection of these painters in whom Father Kelly hopes to create "an escape from the stereotyped still life which so frequently dominates the concep- tive power of the American artist.
 Modernism in technique will not affront the new group. Father Kelly's collection already includes such distinctly American moderns as Georgia O'Keefe, Max Weber. Eugene Higgins, Louis Eilshemius. Aurica Calonesca and Robert Hal lowell. Limitation of modernism either in technique or coloring Is not the aim of the Andrea Art Guild. Reverent treatment will be encouraged but. traditional forms will not be enacted. Indeed, op- portnuity will be provided the art ist to apply to historic and tradi- tional religious themes all that is regarded as significant in modern art; always excepting such concep- tions as would do violence to his- toric Christian theology.
 It is the aspiration of the guild to carry this art into homes not only of those who are religiously minded but those whose interest will be purely aesthetic. To this
 
 of modern artists will be made from time to time and reproduced in color by the best technic'ans in the field of color printing. These periodic selections of prints it is hoped to make available at mod crate costs to those interested. In time a subscribing membership for quarterly portfolios of color repro auctions is the ambition of the An drea Art Guild. Every effort will be made to minimize the cost of these prints consistent with fine craftsmanship and the organization is designed to function without per sonal profit to its organizers. Such funds in excess of actual costs will be devoted to fostering the cause of appreciation of religious ar, among artists without question as to the religious affiliation of the artist.
 Father Kelly definitely insists that the movement be and remain equally aesthetic and religious in it's motivation and functioning. T cannot possibly ask either myself or others to accept an inferior artist or inferior technique because the subject matter conforms in theology to the design of the guild To do so would be species of dis honesty not consistent with Cath ollie ethics as I see them. Ours k | a two-fold mission of education: to the artist, and the public in that order.
 "Increased vision for the artist must result in increased apprecia- ton by the public. The guild will try to exempiify to and for Ameri- can artists and art lovers the high standard for modern art clarified in the Papal encyclical of two years ago. Even the most rabid defend CTS of the modern will concede that the religious theme has been irreverently handled by some and that these distortions of taste are no more representative of contem- porary art than they are of sound religion.
 The Andrea Art Guild aims to offer a patronage which does not dominate the artist. We recognize his canons and wish to guide him fhroughours. We understand art ~~~~-~ ~~S ''-~'.1A hai~- the .arfisi