Evening star., 1934-02-11


was Virginia Wood daughter Of Waddy B.
Wood, well known architect of this city,, who
has, in recent years, studied abroad and won
from foreign masters high commendation She
presented water color sketch representing
Socrates at the Banquet purpOSed for trans
cripton in fresco-an ambitious and excellent
work. The other was Philip Bell, who showed
interesting scheme for a decoration for a
high school library, including many figures,
scale drawings, color sketches and one full
scale section in color, essentially professional,
and betokening much promise. The third
notable" was Richard Meryman whose ability
has long been known and is unquestioned He
showed unfinished full-size panel with small
sketch for a mural painting representing THE
Parting OF OrpheuS and Eurydice With Hermes
in Attendance" which excellent in drafts
manship freely rendered exquisite in color and
altogether outstanding. Margaret Austin, who
has been doing some experimental work by way
of demonstration at the Bureau Of Standards.
showed interesting specimens OF true freSco
and designs for three panels
Among the easel paintings purpoSed for
placement in school buildings were number
of studies of exotic birds, colorful and well
painted, by Julia Eckel; interesting studies of
machinery, in black and white, by Russell Parr;
a series of local buildings and street subjects,
by Gene Hawley; series OF oils by Roano
Lyon and Barbara Cross, likewise of little
buildings in washington. Charles Val Clear
showed portrait study of an athlete Henry
WadSWOrth Moore the IlrSC Oh d StllCS Va
paintings of historic ships
Robert Gates of Studio House, who is we'll
known for his excellent water-color paintings.
showed large unfinished canvas representing
a small building on hill to which men ana
women, presumably rural workers. were seen
toilsomely making their way. His purpose was
to represent the service the Public Library
renders in adult education, and it is understood
that the idea is to hang the picture in the
Public Library here. 1t has pleasing pattern
in design and evident strength but 1t Is
dreary scene little calculated to enthuse the
beholder either for art or adult education
The initiated in art will see merit in the work
and great promise but to the average observer,
its faults, unless overcome, will dominate Its
virtue 1t is not the wise but the unlearned
who are the most severe critics. Mr.. Gates un-
doubtedy has exceptional ability, but he has,
up to the present time had little opportunity for
expression save through the medium of smaller
paintings-he is still adventuring.
Taken all in all this informal exhibition was
very significant exceeding by far the actual in
terest in the works individually collectively.
That in so short time so much earnest work
has been done is remarkable If from other
local groups similar results are obtained as by
products and even one or two artists of ex-
Ceptional ability discovered and given oppor-
tunity for adequate expression, the benehcence
of the effort on the part of the Government
through the public works of art project will
be far greater than was anticipated or can in
the immediate present be reckoned.
At THE Public Library main building.
Eighth and K streets, there is now on view
a collection of hand bound books by Marian
Lane of this city. Miss Lane is a MASTER
craftsman and her bindings uphold both in
workmanship and design the best tradition. An
English woman by birth Miss Lane studied
under the best binders of England and at a
time when there special enthusiasm for
craftwork engendered by Morris and his COL
leagues. She was, however. never carried away
by the tendency of these great craftsmen to
over elaborate. Her designs are invariably SIM
pie and appropriate and hence have dignity.
Included in this exhibition books by Mrs.
Continued on Thirteenth Page.