Evening star., 1938-10-23

other public buildings, either in pro-
cess of erection or awaiting adorn-
ment.
In other words, the time seems to
have arrived when artists having suf1i-
cient ability to merit employment
along these lines-artists who may be
expected to create works worthy of per-
manent placement in public buildings
can be found in all parts Of the
United States, whereas not great
many years ago, all such talent was
concentrated in a few of our large
Eastern States.
It is Of the utmost significance that
the Government, in seeking out these
artists and giving these commissions,
should have Communicated the as
sistance-which, by the way, is given
con amore-of directors of art mu-
seums art teachers and heads of art
departments in educational institu-
tions, thus building up an organiza-
ton which represents the educated
opinion Of the country, with full allow
ance for diversity of taste and view
point. This third feature of the COM
would seem, for the demonstration
and hence discovery, of new talent.
It is an interesting fact also, that
to enter any Of these competitions an
artist must be citizen of the United
States, either by birth or naturaliza-
ton.
Under these conditions, if the ma
jority come from foreign stock no
complaint should be made, although
the fact may be found regrettable. In
connection with most of the Is COM
petitions for murals and sculpture now
announced, a local committee will be
set up to recommend the design con-
sidered most suitable for the proposed
decoration. This committee will also
recommend artists to be invited by
the section of painting and sculpture
to prepare murals for buildings listed
In connection Herewith. After the
local committee has studied the de-
signs and models. they will be for
warded to Washington with recon-
mendations. The awards will be made
from the head office in this city
Nation -,oide Distribution of Conn.,
missions.
The list of forthcoming commissions
shows distribution among 48 States,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
In two or three instances there are no
geographical restrictions and the han
ding of the entire competition will be
from the Washington office, but this
Is the exception and not the rule. For
instance, for two murals to be placed
In the Burbank Post ONCE in Cali
fornia, only artists in California and
Nevada may compete. For one mural
to be placed in Deer Lodge Post Office,
Montana, artists in Montana, North
Dakota. South Dakota and Wyoming
may compete. For a mural in the
Wellston Postal Station, st. Louis, ar
lists in Arkansas. Kansas, Missouri and
Oklahoma are eligible as competitors.
Two murals for the Burlington Post
ONCE, North Carolina, are open to
competitors from Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi, Tennessee and South
Carolina, as well as North Carolina.
Designs for a mural in the post Office
at Salem, Oreg., may be submitted by
Oregon or Idaho artists. For murals
In the post Office at Mayaguez, Puerto
Rico, artists in Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands may compete.
Among those heading committees on
competitions in the Far West are Mr..
Frederick Sweet, director of the Port
land Museum of Art Portland Oreg..
and Mr.. Richard E. Fuller, director
of the Seattle Art Museum. For the
Montana competition, the chairman
of the committee in charge is Mr..
George Yphantis, head of the depart
ment of fine arts, Montana State COL
lege, Missoula, Mont; for the COM
petition In st. Louis, Mr.. Kenneth E
Hudson, department of fine arts of
washington University, serves as
chairman of the committee; whereas
for two sculptures for the salina Post
once in Kansas-for which artists Of