Studio: international art (65.1915)

Canadian Artists and the IVar

“IN ALGONQUIN PARK”

Other examples of individual devotion and self-
sacrifice might be cited, but in the present article
it is proposed to refer more especially to a collec-
tive and eminently successful action that was
adopted by the artists of Canada, as represented
by their three principal associations—the Royal
Canadian Academy, the
Canadian Art Club, and
the Ontario Society of
Artists—-whereby they, as
a body, were enabled to
contribute a very substan-
tial sum to our National
Patriotic Fund, out of
which the wives and
families of Canadian
soldiers serving with the
colours are supported in
comfort. The establish-
ment of this fund was a
necessary preliminary to
successful recruiting; and
this being generally recog-
nised, the appeal for con-
tributions met with a ready
and generous response
throughout the country.

The artists were not
backward. In addition to
gifts of monev, some
offered pictures to the
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various patriotic organisa-
tions, with the suggestion
that these be sold for the
benefit of the fund.
While the spirit and in-
tention thus evidenced
received deserved appre-
ciation, it was generally
considered expedient to
decline the proposals,
since the organisations in
question did not feel that
they were in a position to
dispose of pictures so
offered to advantage. It
was then that a decision
was reached by the art
societies to act in union
and devise a means by
which the patriotic aspira-
tions of their members
might be accomplished.
After consultations,
therefore, it wTas arranged that the Royal Canadian
Academy should collect the paintings and sculp-
ture already offered, invite gifts of works from
other artists, and with a collection thus formed,
which would be, it was hoped, as complete and
representative as possible of Canadian art, hold

BY TOM THOMSON

THE MELTING SNOW'

BY F. W. HUTCHISON