davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-05-29

has but just returned. She has worked
in China, Japan, Korea and the Philip
pines. and though she follows Japan
ese methods and tradition, she has a
style quite her own and one in no wise
initiative. Her single figures OF Noh
actors have attracted special attention
and she has been invited to show a
group OF these in q great exhibition
dedicated to the art of the dance which
will be held in Buffalo, N. Y; Mont
clair. N. j., and other cities.
The Phillips Memorial Gallery
Sho1Us Studies for Paintings
by Robert Gates.
A N EXHIBITION Of water color,
pen and pencil studies for paint
ings by Robert Franklin Gates opened
in the print rooms Of the Phillips
Memorial Gallery May %, to continue
through June l5 A collection such as
this OF studies serves primarily to ini-
tiate the public into the artists way
OF working, and must be regarded from
quite different angle from finished
work 1t represents the discipline to
which any artist, no matter how tall
ented, must submit himself but it also
evidences, unavoidably and uncon-
sciously the reaction Of the artist to
such. Mr.. Gates undoubtedly takes
his discipline standing up; there is no
lack Of spirit and ardor in his studies.
He is not inherently craftsman, his
use Of line Is not sensitive and is at
times almost clumsy but it is not in
significant. The same, perhaps, is true
OF his color-he uses it well and effec-
lively, but it lacks quality in itself.
Some Of his studies are very engaging
such for example as squirrels. cock,
chickens, katydids. the last most
closely studied the first very expressive
Of action. Interesting, too, are his
studies OF nudes, well constructed and
well seen. Lingering in the mind Of
the visitor will, in all probability, be
a drawing Of sloop under sail, and Of
two local scenes. Farragut Square and
Thomas Circle. Referring again to the
matter Of discipline, it is, after all,
evidence Of such that Mr.. Gates work
lacks-inasmuch as it is spontaneous
rather than orderly, artless rather
than artful. But again We must re-
mind ourselves that the works now on
view are studies-means to an end
but part OF much larger whole.
Artists Form Union and Demand
Social Security.
AN ARTISTS union has been
formed in Washington and is
now holding its initial exhibition in
the gallery Of the Inter- Professional
Association at 808 Seventeenth street
in which building the local Art Stu
dents League once had quarters, and
many distinguished artists have from
time to time occupied studios.
This union Is affiliated with the
Artists Union OF America, which has
local chapters in several other cities
and is composed of independent art
lists and artists now employed on the
Federal art projects. According to its
published manifesto the purpose OF
this organization is to unite all artists
In their pursuit Of economic security
and to encourage a wider distribution
and understanding of art, together
Evening star., 1937-05-29

with increased educational activities
The way the first purpose is to be
accomplished is by forcing support
from the Federal Government. Rec
ognizing that private patronage does
not provide economic security for the
artists" this union, to further quote
the manifesto, demands that the Gov
ernment fulfill It's responsibility to-
ward all unemployed artists as TO all
unemployed workers; that it maintain
and further the cultural standard of
the country by proper use OF the art
lists talent, giving employment in their
own craft; and that it set up and
maintain the necessary machinery for
the widest possible distribution of art
to the public.
AS yet, this union lays no restric-
tions on its members as to employ
ment, wage or hours of labor, neither
does it demand group action, but it
Will, 1t announces, cooperate with
manual workers in their effort to OBJ
tain economic security.
The Artists Union and the Amer
lean Artists Congress are closely al
lied, the one being outgrowth of the
other. The Artists Congress came
into existence for the purpose of
opposing war and Fascism, both Of
which are considered detrimental 10
the development Of art. Gradually
other ob1ectives have been added. The
union, on the other hand. favors Gov
ernment control of art, but under
regulation by the artists. 1t. too, has
an educational and economic program
The local group so organized is of
the conviction that the District OF
Columbia Federal Art Project has not
been fully effective and the current
exhibition is planned to mitigate this
shortcoming.
1t is small showing and not very
impressive. Better, 1t is said, will fol-
low. There are three good works in
sculpture and few good drawings
Some Of the canvases have been pre-
viously shown in local exhibitions un-
der the auspices of the Government
Art Projects or local organizat tions
but they do not gain measurably by
being shown again and in the present
company. There are a couple of ab-
stract designs cleverly executed anc
no less intelligible than such by the
best Of this persuasion. But the COL
lection as whole is far from reassur-
ing, judged by the standards COM
monty applied. With the problem OF
economic security in the background
this little exhibition, despite its appar-
ent gayety and assurance, takes on a
solemn aspect.
And yet, at the opening on Tues
day afternoon, Mr.. John Cunningham
Of the Artists Congress, a producing
artist now employed in the section oil
Evening star., 1937-05-29

tions," downtown New York, by Abbo
Ostrowsky, not perhaps beautiful in
itself, but by inference-a big job we'll
done-so big and so well done that it
stirs the imagination and arouses ad-
miration-and again, beautifully rem
dered with sensitive touch and feel
ing.
A part of the program of the Amer
ican Artist Congress is the encour-
agement of multiple production and
the reduction of cost in the field of
graphic art-that means publishing
prints in very large editions and SELL
ing at next to nothing-the price OF
a popular novel, But prints have
never been published at prohibitive
prices (they have almost always cost
less on publication than automobile
tires) and to increase in volume a
commodity for which the demand is
small would simply serve to decrease
to further extent its value.
So much for the print market at
its best. At its worst. what possible
profit can be anticipated by issuing
prints which repulse the potential
buyer, as do these which set forth
and exploit humanity on the lower
strata, vulgar and depraved, or scenes
unnecessarily ugly and offensive For
the possession Of such surely no nor
NAL person could crave.
What is it all about and why? II
the printed statement Of the Ameri-
can Artists Congress, the exhibiting
body. is to be believed, this and
similar exhibitions will, it is thought,
engender great national movement
through which the great traditions OF
the past will be re-esta blished. But
how vain hope, measured by what
we see before us-What violent con-
tradiction! Is this work indeed the
product Of those socially minded
or is it evidence of deep seated So
clal decay? But whatever it may
be, the majority will agree that it is
not representative of America today.
A part of America, perhaps ana alas,
but only a small part and that grow
ing smaller. Let these artists open
their eyes and look farther-their
vision is too restricted.
Evening star., 1937-05-29
Bell still had had no breakfast, but

Bell still had had no breakfast, but
hoped to get some on the way.
The show, being an afternoon and
evening affair, had that morning.
after look. The different gadgets for
swinging the patrons through the air,
such as the ferris wheel, the airplane
glide and the whip, were idle and the
gambling wheels, with prizes Of
horrible plaster Of paris dolls, were
motionless. The actors. barkers and
freaks were sleeping in their tents,
but the laborers and roustabouts were
beginning the days work Of getting
ready for the evening crowd of those
who like to be fooled.
HAVING walked right in, we started
looking about for subjects to
paint. There IS 50 much bright color
In circus that 1t presents an en-
barrassment Of riches. I picked out
the fat ladies' tent, the penny pitch"
and part Of the merry-go-round.
Mary Margaret and Bell chose other
objects.
! bad ~ sponsc stared than Z
Evening star., 1937-05-29
OUTDOORS BECKON

pleasant relief from the heat Of the
city. It's natural elements serve as
cooling system that keeps the temper
ature Of this region Is to 20 degrees
below that Of the streets
Rock Creek can offer its measure
OF play facilities, with two nine-hole
public golf courses, group of l8 ten
mis- courts, l9 picnic groves and more
than 80 miles of bride paths.
However, the Park Service hopes.
with the opening Of the Chopawamsic
recreational area, to relieve somewhat
the great Summer congestion Of this
favorite retreat.
So, If you are seeking new scenes
and inspiring. tall trees, running
brooks and plenty OF hillside shade this
Summertime, and like the prospect Of
an hours drive on the way, seek out
some OF these neWly-opened recrea-
tional centers established by the Park
Service for your health and happiness
and traverse the countryside that Il
being prepared for you in nearby
Maryland and Virginia. The National
Capital is blessed in respect to such
advantages. A list Of recreational IA.
cilities provided in the National Capi.
tai Parks alone, to say nothing Of
nearby national areas, would include
such things as So miles of bride
paths, 80 base ball diamonds, SO ten.
mis- courts, 26 picnic groves, % play
grounds, 2 polo fields, 18 foot ball
fields, as we'll as archery green's, ath.
letic fields, bathing pools, sandboxes,
boating, fishing. golf courses and
many other facilities for amusement
and health.
Aside from this, the boys Of the
c. C. c. have been busy clearing the
wayside for your pleasure. Dead trees
have been removed along Mount Ver-
non highway; underbrush has been
cleared and, in fact, the entire area
for miles around has been beautifed
and tidied up to very great extent
If you are little late for the flower.
ing dogwoods that spray the roadsides
this time of year with frothy white
blossoms. you may always enjoy the
centuries-old trees, the lush green Of
roadside foliage and the breath-tak.
ing sweep of the Potomac. And this
year you may pull in at Fort Hunt for
luncheon, just mile this side Of
Mount Vernon.
Evening star., 1937-05-29

out Of her tent to look at the painting.
One of the crowd remarked: He
didn't have a big enough canvas 10
put you on Whereupon much loud
laughter from the assembled group.
It happened that both Mary Mar
garet and Bell included the penny
pitch" in their work and. as men,
toned above, 1t was also in my COM
position. The operator of the pitch
noticed this and remarked proudly to
a friend: my penny pitch sure is
catching hell this morning."
As had my Whitley as sponsor and
protector, 80 Mary Margaret and Bell
had one, Shorty"
Having finished my sketch, I was
offered a job as a scene painter in the
show. But resisted the lure.
Mary Margaret and Bell were ready
to go and the admiring crowd bade
us farewell with the comment that al
though the paintings were swell" "
they would have been better II we had
managed to put their portraits in the
immediate foreground Of each skstch.
Evening star., 1937-05-29
John Sloan ShO1Us America
With q Difference.


With a Difference.
1T WAS a most fortunate coinci-
dence which brought to the Cor
coran Gallery OF Art the collection
OF etchings by John Sloan for ex-
hibition at the same time that the
collection OF prints presented by the
American Artists Congress is on view.
The similarity and contrast are both
very striking. Similarity in theme,
because Sloan has pictured in many
instances people OF the slums and
vulgarians Of the upper social circles:
cantrast because of his manner Of
transcription. These etchings by John
Sloan, 48 IN number, show us for the
most part how "the other half" lives,
and they do not spare our feelings
but not In a single instance do they
leave us in doubt as to the etcher's
own point of view: they are sympa-
thetic, understanding-the laugh is
not unkindly; he neither sneers nor
SCOTS. And first and foremost he Is
invariably the artist. his slightest
touch betrays 1t. and as acquaintance
grows the quality OF his work gives
reinsurance
What is this thing we call art?
Not merely drawing and painting and
modelling, but. II you will, a sixth
sense, a gift Of the gods, which en-
ables one to use these media sig
nlficantly. Obviously the artist, en-
doWed, concerns himself not merely
with expression, but with that which
provided opportunity for free play of
his art. He sees, not alone. the sur
lace, but beneath, and he makes us
see what would otherwise remain un-
seen. There is something very in
tangible about art, but back of the
instructive and inexplicable, is thought
and feeling.
John Sloan is essentially socially
minded He evidently delights in
drawing and painting and etching
people, sometimes, undoubtedly. just
because they are people, humanity in
teresting, and not very dissimilar,
wherever they may be found. Some
times he uses them as subjects be-
cause they are part or parts of a
/ composition. but even then he gives
them life, individuality.
Occasionally there is the touch OF
satire, as in Picture Buyer" or OF
humor, as in "ShoW Case" Now and
then he pictures the life OF New York,
Buses in the Square" Roofs, Sum-
mer Night" Subway Stairs" in such
wise that We recognize its teeming
humanity and at the same time our
common kinship with all mankind
There are in this collection five
portraits very skillfully etched, two Of
which are Of Robert Henri, the
painter, whose influence on contem-
poray painting in this country was
strong and vital. Another plate shows
the painter, Anschutz, giving lesson
In anatomy before class, skeleton
and living model serving as illus
tration, while in such plates as
Memory" one undoubtedly catches a
glimpse Of the artists own friendly
circle. ''McSorleys Back Room" is
an exceedingly clever rendition. both
figures therein most poignantly por-
trayed; in Girls Running" there is
delightful impression Of swift mo-
Evening star., 1937-05-29
Artist Trio Stages Performance for Circus Folk
They Give UnscheduIed
Ear|y-Morning Act on
Carnival Lot.
By R0wland Lyon.

IL y " S~SS~'CS 01Osss
THE popular conception that an
artist is just gypsy at heart
and q care-free Bohemian to
Il boot may have something in it.
Being an artist myself, as like 70
remind all and sundry from time to
time, I do know that spreader of
paint has plenty Of unemployed time
to roam around. Pursuant to this
latter statement, wandered through
the outskirts Of the city few days
ago and discovered q circus.
Now If anything will bring out the
latent gypsy in anybody even remotely
q follower of the muse it is circus.
The gaudy colors, the posters adver-
tising the freaks and monstrosities IN
the side shows and the trailer atmos-
phere of impermanence all set the
care-free heart to palpitating.
OF course, having seen it, the next
thing to do was to paint it and try to
set down for posterity my reaction to
the twentieth century edition OF the
medieval fairs.
NOW, OeuS Oh 6O1IIc"AAnI UsaSAiAo
disposition, I dislike braving the
curiosity of the hoi polloi by painting
alone in public. An artist setting up
an easel in an everyday world has the
same effect on people as the sudden
appearance OF q dancing bear. They
crowd around, chew gum In his ear
while peering over his shoulder and
roughly ask 600 questions.
I, Of course, did not know how
circus roustabouts would react to q
painter in their midst, but feared
the worst. With this in mind. the
following morning I phonee, Mary
Margaret Hudgins, who likes to go
sketching from time to time. and
asked her to go along with me. She
agreed, and on my way downtown to
pick her up, as was passing Philip
Bells studio, I thought that maybe
he would like to .oin the party, the
idea being that group Of even dane
ing bears would give ono another
courage. He was still in bed when I
called for him, but he sleepily agreed
to 60 If would return for him after
getting Mary Margaret.
Finally the three Of us, heavily
loaded with paint boxes. water bottles.
easels, tablets and brushes, started Oh.
Evening star., 1937-05-29
Guam To Be Guarded.

GUAM may not be so large, but it
Is to be one place which will be
kept free from imported plant dis
eases and pests, If the Agricultural
Department and the Navy succeed in
plans now in operation.
The island is governed by the Navy
Department.
R. G. Oakley of the Bureau Of En-.
tomology. who is stationed on the
island, has perfected a set Of quaran-
tine regulations which are to be rig.
idly enforced.
In addition to the plans to keep
pests down. species OF toad which
Is . voracious feeder on insects u
being introduced on the island to aid
In the nght on plant pests.
Evening star., 1937-05-29
Bulletin of
Exhibitions

CORCORAN GALLERY OF
ART-Permanent collections
American paintings, Clark COL
lection, Barye bronzes. Spe-
cial exhibition Of prints
America Today presented by
the American Artists Congress
and etchings by John Sloan.
Color prints by Elizabeth Keith.
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART,
United States National Mu-
seum-Permanent collections
Evans, Gellatly, Ralph Cross,
johnson, Harriet Lane johnson
and Herbert Ward African
sculptures. Stained glass win
dows by John La Fargo and
William Willet, paintings and
etchings by Thomas Moran.
Annual exhibition Association
OF Federal Architects, foyer of
National Museum.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
DIVISION OF RAPHIC
ARTS-Exhibition of etchings
by various wellknown Ameri-
can etchers.
NATIONAL MUSEUM, ARTS
AND INDUSTRIES BUILD
NG-Exhibition of pictorial
photographs by members Of the
Washington PhotoRraphic So
ciety.
FREER GALLERY OF ART
Permanent collection, paint
ings, drawings and etchings by
Whistler. The peacock room,
Oriental paintings, bronzes, pot
terry, miniatures, etc.
PHILLIPS MEMORIAL GAL
LERY - Permanent collection,
paintings by old and modern
masters; also works in sculp-
ture. Special exhibition water
color, pen and pencil studies for
paintings by Robert Franklin
Gates.
STUDIO HOUSE-Exhibition of
work by students of Studio
House during current year.
TEXTILE MUSEUM OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Will be closed to the public
during the Summer months
from May 20 to September l.
ARTS CLUB OF WASHINGTON
Members Summer exhibition.
Paintings, prints and sculpture.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS,
DIVISION OF FINE ARTS
Exhibition of etchings and
other prints by contemporary
printmakers; Pennell litho-
graphs; drawings by American
illustrators. Special exhibition
OF illustrations by Frederic Dorr
Steele.
PUBLIC library, MAIN
Blu 1LD1N +Exhibition of
works by pupils Of Eugen Weisz.
WOMEN'S CITY CLUB-Exhibi-
tlon Dy group OF washington
artists.
DUMBARTON HOUSE-Histori-
cal art exhibit. furniture, arti-
cles Of utility and pictures.
INTIMATE BOOKSHOP, LIT
TIE GALLERY - Sculpture,
paintings, drawings, water COL
ors by a group of eight WASH
ington artists.
GALLERY OF MODERN MAS
TIERS. 1867 Connecticut ave-
nue-Water colors of New Eng
land and the West by Howard
Giles.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY GAL
LERY OF ART-Exhibition of
children's work of New York
and Washington P. w. A., and
facsimile reproductions of an
tique frescoes.
Evening star., 1937-05-29

ton. and, finally, in Treasure Trove, I"
a great height Is reached, height
such as only the greatest have at
tained-this is, indeed, little mas
terpiece.
Writing on John Sloan in the Print
Room" some years ago in the Ameri-
can Magazine OF Art, Frank Weiten-
kampf. curator of prints, the New
York Public Library, said: president
of the Society Of Independents, John
Sloan is a progressive in art, and yet
not revolutionary, In the sense Of
one with the ever-ready super
extravagant pose Of discordant Shrek
to stagger the bourgeoisie. He is an
exponent of the virtue Of tradition
in its best sense Eminently modern
and in tune with his time, he has
yet built firmly and sanely on the
foundation OF the best Of the past"
After referring to Sloan'S trenchant
use of the needle lin telling what
has happened at given time, with
inference as to conditions, but with
out bitterness, or the overZealousneSs
OF the propaganda or reformer,"
Mr.. Weitenkampf recalls a statement
made by w. B. Mccormick to the
effect that Sloan moves neither in
in the sky nor In the gutter"
John Sloan was born in Lock
Haven, Pa, August 2. 1871, and
studied under Thomas P Anshutz in
the Pennsylvania Academy OF the
Fine Arts, then under Henri in New
York. He began his artistic career
as an illustrator. working for Har-
per's, Scribner's. Golfers and other
periodicals. after which came a pc
riod OF poster making. AS a painter,
etcher. photographer and teacher. he
has attained exceptional distinction.
Whatever influences he has under
gone" to again quote Weitenkampf,
sonaiity. Whatever basis Of tradition
he has built on implies simply the
natural outgrowth from the past. In
his expression he Is absolutely Of his
time. His is the contemporary
Towering OF art deep rooted and
sound"
A Notable Copley Portrait Giuen
to the Corcoran Gallery OF Art.
A VALUABLE addition to the
Corcoran Gallery of Arts per-
manent collection has been an
nounced this week by the director,
Mr. C. Powell Minnigerode. 1t is a
three-quarter length portrait of Jacob
Fowle painted by John Singleton
Copley and was given by Miss Mary
Evening star., 1937-05-29

H. Daingerfield In memory OF her
brother, Francis Lee Daingerf1eld, "a
lover Of art and his fellow man and
ALL" SO the inscription runs, that was
beautiful In this world"
Copley was one OF the ablest and
most distinguished OF our early Amer
ican portrait painters. and good
Copley such as this Is a possession
which any museum Of art would
covet. Born in Boston in 1887, Copley
received his first instruction from his
Step-father, Peter Pelham, an ac-
complished mezZotintist. In ITS,
after having established a reputation
as a portrait painter in Boston and
producing some extremely fine can
vases, Copley went to London and
never returned, maintaining studio
there until his death in 1917 Among
his most famous works are The
Death of Lord Chatham and The
Death Of Ma jor Person" both in the
National Gallery, London He is we'll
represented, however, in the Museum
of Fine Arts, Boston, and other
American museums. and last year a
notable collection of his portraits was
shown, as special exhibition, in the
Metropolitan Museum, New York.
The portrait of Jacob Fowle, which
has now found permanent placement
in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, shows
the subject in a suit Of red, standing
with his gun in his left hand and his
plumed hat on stand back OF him.
1t is a very handsome painting vivid
ly colorful, skilfully rendered, correct
and veracious, at the same time
sophisticated and assured. As a loan,
this painting has hung in the Corco-
ran Gallery for some time, and a re-
production OF it has appeared in these
columns.
Exhibition OF Keith Wood
Block Prints Extended.
BECAUSE OF the interest shown in
the informal exhibition OF color
wood block prints by Elizabeth Keith,
which opened in the Corcoran Gallery
OF Art early in May, the date Of clos
ing was postponed until May 81, with
that day inclusive. During the period
Of this exhibition twenty or more
prints were sold, which for Washing
ton and this time of year is record
which eloquently testiies to their in
herent charm. Eight Of these were
purchased by the Library of Congress
for the National Print Collection.
Miss Keith has made two long So
journs in the Orient, from the latest
Of which, Of fours years duration, she