International studio (55.1915)

St. Paul Institute

ST. PAUL INSTITUTE
| The announcement has been made
that an extensive exhibition of work of
Northwestern artists will be presented in
St. Paul, May 1-9, under the auspices of the St.
Paul Institute. This plan is more ambitious than
any other which has been independently under-
taken by St. Paul management for the promotion
of art interests. Its fulfillment along the broad
lines laid out by those responsible for its inception
will result in a quickening of artistic talent and
appreciation throughout Minnesota and the sur-
rounding States.
For a time it appeared probable that there
would be no large spring exhibition in St. Paul,
such as has heretofore been assembled by the
Minnesota State Art Society and presented locally
by the St. Paul Institute. For a number of years
this annual exhibition has been presented under
the joint auspices of the two organizations men-
tioned and has met with signal success. It came
to be regarded indeed as the outstanding event
in St. Paul art activities. Much to the credit of
the Minnesota State Art Society and its director,
Maurice K. Flagg, it presented in a very compre-
hensive way the achievement of the artistic talent
of Minnesota in the field of fine and applied arts,
and there was displayed each year a collection of
representative American paintings.
After careful consideration of all matters and
parties involved, the State Art Society decided to
present its annual exhibition as a feature of the
State Fair, where it was felt it would do the great-
est good to the greatest number. An agreement
was forthwith made between the managements of
the State Fair and the State Art Society whereby
for at least three successive years the two organiza-
tions would jointly present the annual art exhibi-
tions. The conspicuous success of the exhibition
shown by the Minnesota State Art Society on the
Fair grounds last September proved the wisdom of
this change. At the same time the St. Paul Insti-
tute felt that it would be a misfortune to lose the
cumulative value which has been gained by
repeated presentation of the State Art Society’s
exhibition in previous years. The community has
come to look forward to a big art display as an
annual event in the late winter or early spring
months, and it was felt that the response would
continue to increase if some aggregation of art
could be shown at that time. And so, with an

entire absence of any feeling of rivalry or compe-
tition, and enjoying the cordial support of the
State Art Society, the Institute has developed and
will carry out its plan for a spring exhibition this
year and successive annual exhibitions.
The scope and purpose of this undertaking will
differentiate it from the annual exhibitions of the
State Art Society. In the first place, instead of
limiting the field from which artists may submit
their work to the boundaries of Minnesota, the
Institute extended it to include Wisconsin, Iowa,
the Dakotas and Montana. Invitations were
sent to artists throughout this territory, who will
be on an equal footing with those of local and
State residence. Those in charge have decided
not to include the craft arts and architecture in
this display, confining it strictly to the fine arts.
There will be a competent jury of artists of estab-
lished reputation, non-residents of St. Paul, who
will decide what work of that submitted will be
shown and to whom honours are to be awarded.
Medals which will have accredited and authorita-
tive significations, bearing the stamp of the St.
Paul Institute, will be presented as prizes to the
winning artists in the various branches of art.
Those medals, awarded each year, will have a
standard valuation in relation to artistic achieve-
ment and will be a symbol of merit that will be
eagerly sought and proudly cherished when won.
The Institute plans on a collateral feature corre-
sponding to the generous display of paintings by
eminent American artists of to-day, such as the
State Art Society has included in its exhibitions.
However, instead of bringing a general collection
of work from some Eastern point in this country, it
is the intention to add even greater interest to the
forthcoming spring exhibitions by assembling a
generous loan collection of paintings by celebrated
artists, European as well as American, and con-
temporary as well as not living; such paintings to
be offered for the occasion by public galleries and
private owners in the territory. Such loans will
come for the most part from the Twin Cities,
where much art material of highest rank now finds
a permanent place. It is proposed that the St.
Paul Institute shall purchase at least one work to
be selected from this exhibition, keeping up the
tradition of a popular voting contest established in
connection with former State Art Society exhibi-
tions. The picture so selected will be added to the
permanent gallery of the Institute in the St. Paul
Auditorium.

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