Demonstrators

Department stores have for many years popularized the institution of practical demonstration of household arts and feminine complexions. It remained for the New Society of Artists in Manhattan to apply practical demonstration to the fine arts. The New Society announced its second annual series of demonstrations.

At these affairs prominent artists exhibit themselves actively at work and afterwards each delivers a lecture on his particular branch of the arts. At the first of the demonstrations, George Luks painted a portrait in oils. At the second, Albert Steiner, was scheduled to make several drawings; at the third and last Mahonri Young will model a bust of Joseph Pennell--Pennell, from the life.

Nothing could be more appropriate than for Mr. Pennell to sit as model at one of these demonstrations. He is Secretary of the New Society, and one of its tutelary geniuses. Art and art societies are two of his chief businesses in life and he takes them very, very seriously. In announcing the demonstrations to take place at the Anderson Galleries, he said: "We regard the work as distinctly educational, inasmuch as the general public is ignorant of the actual processes which go to make a work of art. ... It was shown last year that the people are intensely interested in watching the wheels go round, as it were."

Joseph Pennell is unique in American Art. He was a great friend and student of Whistler's, which fact no one has ever been allowed to forget. Pennell himself is an etcher and lithographer of talent.

He has always been interested in forming societies, and, once they are formed, in giving lectures on engraving and etching to the people he has hus got together. If he can find no societies to address, he is glad to speak in a museum or Art school. When times are dull, he does not scorn to instruct a ladies' club.

Pennell with his white beard, with his long thin hands waving indefinitely into the chaotic void of public darkness, should be at his best posing for a bust in the New Society.