A most important event in the artistic life of the South, and one whose ultimate results are likely to be of such a far-reaching nature that is impossible to even roughly estimate their valve at the present time, occurred on January 18th., 1899. On that day a group of representative and influential gentlemen met at the residence of Mr. Theodore Marburg and founded what is known as The Municipal Art Association of the City of Baltimore. Although the idea of such an organization is not a new one,—such associations already exist and are in a flourishing condition in New York, Boston and other Northern Cities,—no such society can be found elsewhere in the South. Baltimore can therefore for once be justly congratulated on having shown a spirit of real enterprise and civic pride, which, sooner or later, is sure to be followed by all her Southern sisters. The main object of this new municipal art association is to receive and collect funds for the beautifying of the public squares and buildings of the City. It will also use its utmost endeavors—through experts and disinterested, broad-minded laymen—to have such funds judiciously expended. It is proposed to enlarge the membership, which is somewhat limited at present, as much as possible and at the same time, to form a woman’s auxiliary branch that will work in harmony with the main organization, composed exclusively of men. It is estimated that a body of at least two thousand public-spirited men and women can thus be found and eventually welded into a powerful association devoted to the very best artistic interests of the people of Baltimore. If this calculation is correct, a considerable amount of money will accumulate annually in the treasury of the society, solely from the collection of the yearly dues, which have been wisely fixed at the small sum of $5.00. In order to increase the association’s resources much more rapidly than is otherwise practicable, it has been resolved that life membership may be procured by those who are willing to pay the sum of $100.00, and that the title of “Patron” will be bestowed on all those who are liberal enough to donate the sum of $1000, or more. The money so collected from dues and voluntary contributions is to be carefully husbanded until the amount becomes sufficiently large to justify the directors in opening a worthy competition for the decoration of some public building, the erection of a statue, or the building of a monument of real and lasting artistic merit. It may not be possible to procure enough money to purchase such a work of art annually, but it will be a question of only a few years at most before the results of this much needed society will become evident to the least observant. It is with feelings of the greatest pleasure that we commend this highly laudable and intelligent movement to the people of Baltimore, and we hope they will give it their unswerving and enthusiastic support. * * * * *