Sunday Chicago bee. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1925-19??, 1940-07-21

America in recent years. Where
as, formerly art was available to
the privileged few, the working
mans economic level has been
slowly rising and with it has come
increased leisure freeing him for
the inevitable search for the more
abundant life.
1t was further inevitable that
the. Negro as an integral part OF
this changing social-economlc
scene should seek an introduction
to the cultural outlets and gain
ing it, make the most Of the OPP
portunity.
Influential in this growth has
been the assistance the Harmon
Foundation which has sought
through its program Of William
! E. Harmon Awards for outstand-
ing Achievements among Negroes
to acquaint and interest the pub
lie generally in the creative &C
complishments in fine arts by Ne
groes, thereby, assisting this group
to a more sound and satisfactory,
economic position.
Desiring primarily to encourage
the Negro endowed with high Gre
alive ability to give wider ex-
preston to his genius, and real
izing that if a real stimulating
and vital contribution is to be
made to art development in A
merica, the Negro must be able
to get his work before an appre-
ciative and compelling public,
the Foundation inaugurated in
1923, a series Of annual exhibit
tons bf American Negro artists.
While these exhibitions are
held in New York, they represent
work submitted from all parts
Of the country, including some
fine artists studying abroad. Elk
tended travelling exhibitions have
made them available to other cit
les for showings.
1t is evident from the number
of pictures purchased, press COM
ments and spontaneous express
Sions of interest and from the in
creased number of productions by
Negroes shown in general art ex-
hibits, that a remarkable adj
vance is taking place in the field
of Negro. art.
In numerous centers throughout
the states splendid work is being
done by Race artists, including
Atlanta University, Howard Uni
versity, San Diego, California
Chicago, Boston, New York, ST.
Louis, Indianapolis and other cit
les stimulated by civic organiza-
tons such as the YMCA, YWCA
Urban League, Interracial Com
nittees, City Clubs, churches.
Various public Libraries have lent
space facilities for those art pro-
grams. s-
Wealthy patrons have aided
materially by providing monetary |
awards, including the late Otto !
H, Kahn, Arthur B. Spingarn,
Arthur A. Schomberg and Mr..
Robert e. Ogden and Mrs. John
D:*Rockefeller, Jr. 4 n ,..
Another group comprising DR..
John Hope Of Atlanta University,
Mr.. Alan Bennett of the National
Alliance, of Art and Industry,
Dr.. George E. Haynes Of. the Com
mission on Race Relations, the
late Miss Delilah. L. Beasley, COLI
l1mnist and DR.: ATain' Locke have
BY their stimulating counsel be-
come known as friends of Art.
Not to- be overlooked is the
recognition by outstanding Art
galleries and museums of the
country in purchasing numerous
examples of Negro art for their
collections.
With attention focused thus
sharply on the, art. movement Of
today, it is not surprising that
interest is turning toward the
pioneering stages Of long ago.
Generally considered to be the
first Negro in America to achieve
distinction as a painter, Edward
W. BannisterN id 1876 at the Cen
tennia1 Exposition in Philadelphia
was awarded the gold medal for
his landscape. "Under the Oaks
A native. Of Providence, r. J., ne
pioneered in art organizations
founding the Providence Art
Club which is today leading art
organization of that city.
His contemporary, Robert i
Duncanson, Of Cincinnati, Ohio.
was the first Negro to receive rec
ignition in Europe as an artist.
AS early as 1866 he was credited
with being an outstanding land
scapist of his day, having studied
and exhibited in London and
Glasgow where it is said that ne
was patronized by the royal fam
lilies. One of his paintings is said
to be hanging today at Windsor
Castle, London, purchased by
Queen Victoria.
First woman to achieve fame
as an artist was Miss Edmoria
Lewis, born in Boston in 1S45
Turning to sculpture she was
aided by benefactors in getting tc
Europe where she studied and
worked in Italy. She exhibited
in the Philadelphia Centennial Of