Evening star., 1937-12-29
STARART STUDIED
BY PRISON GROUP
Special Class Conducted at
Lorton in Campaign of
Appreciation.

Continuing its penetration OF vir-
tually every walk Of life in the WASH
ington area. The Stars art appre-
citation campaign today reached be-
hind the bars and walls of the Dis
trict Reformatory at Lorton, Va.
For almost two years there has been
q special class for art-minded con-
victs at Lorton. Latent talent has
come to life in the copying of maga-
zine covers, news pictures and
scenes from rotogravure sections, all
with oil colors.
The convicts who paint four or
FIVE nights a week in a room as
signed them in one Of the new build
ings now have their first set Of fine
color prints and study material. OBJ
tanned through The Stars move
ment to make art universal among
all classes Of people.
Meanwhile thousands of followers
Of this movement are taking advan-
tage Of the opportunity to complete
their collections of the 48 color re-
productions of famous paintings Of
fered by The Star and the National
Committee for Art Appreciation.
Last Of Series on Sale.
The twelfth and last set of the
campaign which began three months
ago, went on sale this week at the
special art booth in the lobby of The
Star. In this set are four prints
from the works of four living Ameri-
can artists-"Winter," by Rockwell
Kent; Flood Scene" by Jon Corbino;
"Line Storm" by John Steuart Curry,
and "Arbor Day." by Grant Wood.
Those who have bought all II sets,
priced within the reach of every one,
are entitled to receive free of charge
the collectors portfolio, in which to
keep the color prints, and the weekly
art appreciation lessons by DR.. Bern
ard Myers of New York University.
Others who previously paid cash for
the portfolio are using the portfolio
receipt to obtain set No. II free. The
complete collection presents an edu-
cation in art from the Italian Renais-
of fine reproductions suitable for
framing or to keep for leisure hours
Of study and enjoyment.
Expressions on the faces of the
Lorton convicts who attend art class
told a story of appreciation greater
than words can describe when they
saw the material from The Star CAM
paign. 1t gives them something new
and different, the opportunity to copy
great paintings and to study the his
tory and development Of art.
Prisoners Study Pictures.
AS the prints and lessons were
spread out on a table prisoner-paint-
ers laid down their brushes and
palettes and left their easels to see
the acquisitions.
This opens up new field for
them" commented E. j. WEIGH, depu-
ty superintendent of Lorton. "They
have never before had such a fine
supply of material with which to
work. Not only will it enhance their
education in art through such a
medium, but it will broaden the in
terest in class work, which Is their
chief diversion.
These boys will by copying Mona
Lisa The Creation Of Adam and
other masterpieces. The supply Of
material is almost unlimited, and
they are going to enjoy every one
of these reproductions that come
through The Stars art appreciation
campaign"
The Lorton art class was started by
q professional artist during his prison
term there almost two years ago. Ad-
mission is by application. and all
applicants with good records are ac-
cepted. Each prisoner must furnish
his own materials. The class members
made their easels.