Evening star., 1942-05-10
Art
Notes
Fine Exhibition
Follows Fire
At Arts Club
Bv Leila MechHn.

Arts Club a fortnight ago. which,
but for an automatic alarm that
perfectly performed its function
and the prompt and efficient serv-
ices of the fire companies who re-
sponded to call, would have been
disastrous to the fine old historic
building and its contents as well as,
in all probability, to life. How the
fire started Is not known, but when
the sleeping inmates were aroused
by the house alarm 1t had burned
through from the cellar and flames
and smoke were ascending the main
stairway. The time was approx
mately 3 am. and the fire escape,
put up about five years ago at con-
siderable cost, proved its worth as
effective exit. In an incredibly
short time temporary repairs were
made and club activities were re-
sumed with but slight interruption,
thanks to capability of management
and staff.
Just a week after the fire an ex-
hibition which comprises the work
of four artists was opened with the
usual reception and tea. Three of
these artists are Washingtonians,
members of the Arts Club and also
of the faculty Of the Abbott School
of Fine and Applied Art. They are
Susan B. Chase, who shows water
colors, chiefly landscapes and out
door pictures: Alexandra I. Darrow,
who exhibits portrait drawings,
some in wash, and Lyn Egbert, who
contributes designs for textiles,
quite a number of which are to be
seen in actual materials. The fourth
exhibitor, Nancy Dyer, is from out
of town, Providence, R. l., being
her home. To her water colors
the greater part of the wall space
in the gallery is given They are
of people, done in gouache. crisply,
cleverly and knowingly. Primarily
illustrative, these little character
studies, of all sorts of people, are
delightfully."- human, humorous but
also kind. No one who did not have
a real love for human nature, re-
gardless of dress or station in life,
could have painted these little pic
lures which are so interpretative-
80 very true. Through such repre-
sentation. kinship among all is
strengthened-miraculously by
merry laugh or quizzical smile.
Subjects in Vide Variety.
There Is touch of pathos in the
painting of kiss given by an old
French woman to her husband.
which is entitled Mon Petit Choux"
cMy Little Cabbage, as in other
renditions of young and old finding
happiness, of very superior order
tn small luXuries, such as ice cream
cones, a glimpse of a circus clown
IN all his regalia, etc, etc. There
is a notable series of French peas
ant women-"The Gossips"-two
old flower sellers in the open square,
having the best kind of a confab;
Sailing Before the Wind"-a group
Of peasant women headed against
a very stiff breeze which blows them
about ruthlessly, and third, Two
Is Company. Three a Crowd
illustrated by three sturdy women
under one umbrella in a downpour
Of rain. But one could 60 on in
definitely, for there are youngsters
good Americans-riding restive hob
by horses, swinging high from a
branch of an old oak tree, or mount
ing with some difficulty a merry
go-round's prancing steed. There
are also farm men and women.
BARRIERS and pretty, maids, the latter
hanging out "undies" Just washed
but scarcely of wartime production.
When looking at these pictures
there does not seem to be any war.
Probably they were done before
there was. And it gives relief to
recall that so happy a world once
vas-and may be again.
Nancy Dyer Water Colors.
Nancy Dyer is the daughter of
Col. Anthony Dyer, Ex-Governor of
Rhode Island, and well known as
artist, lecturer, civic worker and
churchman-a man of extraordinary
versatility, energy and capability,
giving Of himself generously to
whatever may be for public we'll
fare and getting the maximum out
OF life through the enjoyment of
giving and doing. His paintings,
in water color, were chiefly done
abroad during holiday visits, and
were to a great extent of peasant
cottages with their rose -draped
front doors and flowery dooryards,
found in France. England. Holland
and 1taly-lovely sights which, de-
lighting the artist. were recorded
as memorabilia for himself and his
friends. He has exhibited here in
Washington several times, but not
FOR some years. His daughter has
undoubtedly inherited his talent,
but her work is in quite different
vein. What a happy time, under
these circumstances, they must have
had working together on tours of
discovery.
Mrs. Chase shares the Arts Club
gallery with Miss Dyer, and her
water colors are, as ever, fresh and
skillful, artistic and full of charm
The designs by Lyn Egbert which
are to be found in the reception
room are very engaging g-sufficiently
modern but by no means eccentric
Her motives are we'll chosen and
effectively employed Designing of
this sort is very delightful brancn
Of art, contributing much to the
cultivation of taste and to the
decoration Of the home Alexandra
Darrow's portraits are also more
than conmendable, especially those
that are very simply, but also very
eensitively rendered.
This exhibition will continue until
the 22d of May.
Portrait Of Rev. A. r. Bird
By Hattie z. Burdefte.
Miss Hattie E. Burdette, who ha,
q studio in the historic old Ban
croft Davis house on H street be-