Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-04
SheIIoc ABC Chief

cohollc Beverage Control
Board has ordered the closing
Of an artists one-man show
at Harrigan's, 729 9Th st.
S.w.
We can't have enough art,
especially at places where
people relax and have time
enough to appreciate it.
Frank Weakly, board chair
man. explained the order
stripping the restaurant walls
of 20 paintings by a local ar
fist by saying, IF we let this
go, everyone would be hav-
ing art shows"
What's wrong with that?
think it would be wonderful
if the District would urge
restaurant owners to hang
paintings in their establish
ments for the appreciation Of
their patrons rather than
force such an exhibit to shut
down.
If Mr.. Weakly and his board
like to eat or gather with
friends in some restaurant
where the walls are starkly
bare, that's okay with me.
But they shouldn't tell the
many Washington residents
who enjoy these exhibits in
restaurants, theaters and
other places that it's mot
proper. Dana Bullen.
4 4
The ABC Boards decision
to remove the paintings from
the walls of Harrigan's Res
taurant was a grave injus-
tice. The proprietor of any
business should not be forced
to conform to any ridicu-
lous rulings that control his
business and do not benefit
the people in any way.
I sincerely hope that
usurpations of citizens
rights are discontinued. 1t
seems a person cannot do
anything without interior
ence from some controlling
authority. ]. T. w.
x 4 \ 4
It's interesting how the
WeaklyS Of this world always
seem to get into positions
where they can decide such
things as where and when
works Of art may be ex-
hibited.
Someone should inform
the powers-that-be that pic
lures are appropriately hung
wherever there is a wall. AS
far as saloons go, the pres
ence of some good pictures
might tend to encourage peo-
pie to find solace in the arts
instead Of in dry martins.
Gallery GOer.
X X X X
AS an artist and former
gallery owner. I wish to pro-
test the action taken by
Frank E. Weakly, chairman
of the ABC Board, in order
ing restaurants to remove
exhibitions of local artists
work from their walls. I have
been in restaurants from
Boston to San Diego hung
with exhibitions of local art
lists and many a now-famous
artist has had his work
brought to the attention of
the critics and the public
through the cooperation of
a sympathetic and under
standing restaurateur.
Mr.. Weakly should know
that the restaurateur has
not gone into another bust
ness. The restaurateur has
free of charge a changing de-
cor for restaurant with each
new exhibition; he gets new
customers because the artist
currently showing will bring
his friends; if the exhibit is
good enough it may warrant
a review in the press, in
which case the restaurant
will receive free advertising.
1t is the usual custom, both
here and abroad, for the res
taurateur to entertain the
artist, sometimes for three
full meals a day, at his ex-
pense while the exhibition is
hanging.
The advantage to the art
list is that he does not pay a
commission on any, if any,
sales made while the exhibit
is on, and it is a rare sale
that is made from a restau-
rant wall. The artist does not
pay any exhibition costs to
the restaurant. A one-man
exhibit in a private gallery
costs the artist a minimum
of $50 and may cost as high
as $3.50 in some New York
galleries. This is, Of course,
in addition to the commits
sion of from one-third to al
most one-half of the selling
price which is charged by