Evening star., 1938-05-29

and Mr.. WeHZ a year ago size ~cAV
abroad and during the past winter has
been a student in the Julian Academy.
r. TAFT McKenzie'S Death a
Serious Loss to Art in America.
THOUGH Canadian by BIRTH r. TAFT
= Mckenzie. whose death occurred
in his Philadelphia home on April
%, has long been associated with the
art of this country. He was physician
as well as sculptor, and for many
years was professor of physical edu-
cation at the University of Pennsyl-
vania. 1t was perhaps for this reason
that he specialized in subjects OF ath-
letes, in which he excelled. His models
were to be found among those in his
own classes. and athletic achievement
always interested him keenly. His
"Sprinter," The Onslaught "The
Joy of Effort" 1.-The Ice-bird," THE
Javelin Thrower," to name only few
Of his pieces at random, were known
and admired in every country OF the
world which encourages athletic COM
petitions. In the Olympic Exhibition
at Los Angeles he alone was invited
to make comprehensive one-man
showing and displayed 123 small
bronzes Of athletes. But he was not
limited to this single sphere. The
touching War Memorial in Edinburgh
is his work; for Canada as a war me-
mortal he created his memorable figure
Of a young soldier, "Blighty";; near
the University of Pennsylvania and
in Brookgreen Gardens, S. c., stands
his figure of The Young Franklin;
Washington has his Delano Nurses
Memorial on the grounds Of the Red
Cross headquarters. He was an ardent
worker, a lover Of art and of sport.
sympathizing as few are able to with
youth on its own terms, fine and up
standing in figure and in actions,
reserved and thoughtful, but of most
kindly and charming personality, with
great capacity for understanding and
friendships rare personality. Death
came to him almost without warning
He died of heart failure just as he
was leaving his home for a meeting
in Atlanta.
A NeU Artist, Frank di Gioia
OF New York, Introduced
BIZ Exhibition.
IN THE print rooms Of the Phillips
Memorial Gallery are not only to
be seen at present a galaxy of recent
accessions, but group of very clever
and unusual works in color by an ar
tist Of New York who has not previ-
ously exhibited here-Frank di Gioia,
the son of Neapolitan sculptor, born
and brought up, however, on the East
Side OF New York City. The little
pictures he has painted are Of people
and scenes in the italian quarter,
familiar to East Side dwellers. and
represent people of foreign nationality
living in our midst, in poverty and
apart, but sharing our own humanity,
our foibles, our faults. His presenta-
tions are humorous and keen, but not |
unkind-we smile with him and with
those he has set forth, but not rudely
or in scorn. Gioia studied, as did
Saint Gaudens, also the son Of immi- |
grants, first at Cooper Union, which
has given hand up" to many q
talented youngster East Side bred;
later he went to the Art Students
League. But his work does not re-
fleet the influence Of any modern
master. II anything, 1t harks back
mere to Daumier than any one else.
Wdter-C0lor Club Holds
Annual Election.
A T THE annual spring meeting Of
= the Warrington Water Color Club
the following oincers and board Of
directors wer6} elected: President, !