PARK AND CEMETERY 
191 
Fairmount Park Art Association. 
From advance copy of the report of Mr. Charles 
H. Howell, Secretary of the Fairmount Park Art 
Association, recently made to that body, the fol- 
lowing extracts are given. Much interest attaches 
to this as It virtually presents historical facts relat- 
ing to sculptural art in this country: 
“This was the first organization in the country 
instituted for the following purposes: Of increasing 
the appreciation and love of sculpture; of adding to 
the number of its votaries; of encouraging sculptors 
in the practice of their profession; of cultivating 
public and private taste for good sculpture and pro- 
moting the refinements of life consequent thereon; 
of erecting statues, busts, fountains and other 
works of art, to the honor and memory of eminent 
persons and their deeds; of inducing other cities to 
form similar]]societies with like objects. 
“Being pioneers we have not had the advantage 
of the experience of others, but have steadily ad- 
vanced, year by year with increasing encourage- 
ment from our fellow citizens. 
“In 1871, when your society was formed, there 
were few in this country who had adopted sculpture 
as a profession, and fewer encouraged the art either 
in connection with architecture, or in adorning gar- 
dens, parks or interiors. There was little taste and 
less demand for it. This is not surprising for the 
examples that were exposed were, with rare except- 
ions, weak in conception, and imperfect in execu- 
* tion, inviting ridicule rather than respect, and ut- 
terly incapable of arousing the admiration and en- 
thusiasm produced by an exquisite conception, ex- 
ecuted by a sculptor of great ability. We possessed 
a few reproductions from the antique, and some 
pieces from our students in Rome, Florence and 
Paris, who were compelled to live abroad, there 
being no demand here for their work. 
“Those who were familiar with the Galleries 
and Gardens of the old world, were painfully aware 
of our^ poverty’ in'The plastic art. They foresaw 
however, the great possibilities that could be de- 
veloped^, by^systematic, judicious, perservering ef- 
forts in the interest of better sculpture. Every well 
modelled creation will naturally awaken a new in- 
terest and a broader knowledge of the art, and a 
keener appreciation of the value of the profession. 
“It may seem incredible that twenty-four years 
ago we had difficulty imfinding works in sculpture 
worthy of purchase. There were no subjects offered 
by sculptors. For instance, the only group obtain- 
able at that time, the model of the Hudson Bay 
Wolves QuaTvelling over the Carcass of a Deer , was 
accidentally discovered in the basement of a plaster 
image-maker, where the sculptor had left it. 
“At the Vienna Ivxposition of 1873, we secured 
The Dying Lioness which won the Gold Medal for 
Wilhelm Wolff. Although our Centennial Exhi- 
bition of 1876 advanced the standard of taste to a 
marked degree in many directions, there were no 
notable examples of the plastic art that especially 
commended themselves for the purposes of this 
Society. 
“In the past ten years, however, the Fairmount 
Park Art Association has given commissions invol- 
ving an expenditure of over $100,000, for original 
works, to Calder, Boyle, Cain, P'remiet, St. Gaud- 
ens, French and Potter, all complete in bronze ex- 
cept the last named which is at the foundry ready 
to be cast by Messrs. Bureau Brothers, Philadelphia. 
“Years ago, as stated, it was difficult to find 
objects worthy of purchase, now your organization 
is known throughout the civilized world, and is con- 
stantly in receipt, directly and indirectly, of offers 
from sculptors who desire to be represented in the 
P'airmount Park collection of sculptors. 
“Since the Columbian Exposition of 1893, there 
has been a marked increase in the number of those 
who appreciate the beauty of good sculpture, it’s 
value to a community, and who manifest an active 
interest in the progress of the art in this country. 
This awakening is especially gratifying to your so- 
ciety, which has been so deeply concerned in all 
that advances that noble calling. Another very 
important step was taken in the recent organization 
of the National .Sculpture Society, wherein the 
sculptors themselves are associating for the advance- 
ment of the standard of their own creations. 
“To the traveller impressed with a feeling for 
the historical, so closely intertwined with the annals 
of our city, Philadelphia must always be an object 
of attraction; and it seems quite within our province 
to add interest to the many localities, both in the 
city as well as in Fairmount Park, that are authen- 
tically entitled to receive such distinction. This 
action will tend to bring your association still more 
positively to the notice of the general public and 
will earn for it we feel certain, the commendation 
of all good citizens. 
During the year 1896 we shall undertake to se- 
cure funds for the projected memorials of Dr. Ben- 
jamin Franklin and of Robert Morris, in which a 
great interest is manifested and a general desire 
evinced to participate in honoring the memory of 
those eminent citizens of Philadelphia.” 
The Fairmount Park Art Association has now 
over 1300 members. The report ot the secretary 
can well be endorsed. The association has car- 
ried world wide respect, and its effects have result- 
ed in great good to the cause of art, not alone in 
Philadelphia, but wherever its work has been 
studied and emulated. 
