438 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



VEHICLE DEPARTMENT. 



There was a large and valuable exhibit of vehicles by manufacturers 

 of these goods. 



A building in which to exhibit them is badlv needed. 



A. E. STEVENSON, 



Supermtcndent. 



ART DEPARTMENT. 



To the Officers and Directors of the Michigan State Agricultural Society: 



Gentlemen : — To sum up briefly the work of the art department at 

 the state fair this year, there has been, I think, a better standard set 

 and fewer objectionable features. The larger part of the walls were 

 given up to a collection of paintings that were secured by personal 

 request from artists of the better class, to whom an exhibition at a 

 state fair does not appeal. Feeling that their pictures will hang side 

 by side with the amateur, they Avill not enter into competition. 



I am more strongly impressed than ever Avith the thought that be- 

 fore your society can hope to make a creditable showing in the art de- 

 partment there must be a suitable building, lighted from above, and 

 reasonably fireproof. This need not be an expensive building, plain 

 brick walls with rather an ornamental doorway would be quite suf- 

 ficient, with an interior of the plainest and simplest character. It 

 need not all be erected at once. 



With such a building you could call upon the artists of Michigan — 

 a state which has produced some of the great men of the art world — 

 with the assurance that they would loyally respond, and pictures of 

 merit could be brought together which would form one of the most at- 

 tractive features of the fair. 



I would suggest at the same time, that the pictures offered by the 

 amateur have a good showing, as out of their ranks must come some 

 of the future artists, but I would particularly encourage the art student 

 to exhibit, so that the people may be brought in contact Avith the best 

 development along art lines. 



With more sincere good wishes for the continued success of the society, 

 I am 



Very truly vours, 



A. H. GRIFFITH, 



f^upetintenflent. 



