Art For Whose Sake

Most Harvard artists work for the fun of it. This was amply demonstrated by the Harvard Artists' Exhibition in the Germanic Museum, which unearthed more then forty talented undergraduates who had been painting, drawing, and sculpting without any outside encouragement. There's no reason, however, why they shouldn't get it, in the form of more shows like the present one.

There were 120 pictures submitted for the show now going on. Only 75 could be accepted, chiefly for reasons of space. This was the first college-wide exhibition, since Winthrop House last year showed only the work of House members. It couldn't be expected to attract the attention of all the artists who might be interested. A second call would probably draw an even larger number. If a continuous show, changing every two months or so, were to be instituted, there would surely be no lack of good pictures and sculptures. Harvard would be able to see a collection which easily reaches professional standards, and the artists would find an appreciative audience. They might even be able to make a few sales, especially, for students' rooms. The Germanic Museum could be continued in use as a gallery, or, if it was needed for other uses, the Fogg Art Museum might be persuaded to set aside a room. A small fee for the exhibitors would be sufficient to cover costs. Administration of the show could well be in the hands of a committee elected from the artists, themselves, with the advice of members of the Fine Arts Department. Such an artists' organization might even find other activities beneficial both to its members and to the University at large.

Harvard has always been a liberal patron of the arts. Giving undergraduate artists a chance to exhibit their work would be in line, with her best traditions.