popularity - team work - Alden Galleries - Art Institute

The Alden Galleries brought popularity back to Kansas City. People were talking about etchings that once only New Yorkers had been privileged to see. Homes were opening up to Levon West, Albrecht Durer, Daumier, Frank Brangwyn, James McNeil Whistler, Samuel Palmer, Margaret Kirmse, Anders Zorn, Charles Meryon, Joseph Pennell, Piransi, and Francesco Goya. No longer were exquisite works restricted to the Eastern galleries alone. The popularity of one such exhibition was a case in point. It was the largest number of people....ever gathered together at one time in Kansas City.....to view a one man art exhibition...Over two thousand people thronged to see the etchings, water colors, and oils by Frank W. Benson at the Art Institute. The Alden Galleries played a big part in bringing the best works to the city.

Bender pointed out in his Fine Prints publication that the teamwork of a few helped make the event successful for many. Mr. Holland of the Art Institute gave of his time, Mrs. M.K. Powell of the Kansas City Star gave wise counsel, and Mrs. Charles M. Bush provided music between film showings.

At every opportunity Bender made his audience curious. Were you one of those who saw the film of Mr. Benson making an etching? You will be interested to know that we have "one of his original copper plates." All you will have to do...in order to complete your knowledge of the process of etching...will be to come in...and examine "the actual plate." You will want to do this, while the picture is still fresh in your mind!!  (What a tease.)

(Fine Prints, February 1932, Vol.1, No. 3, pp. 4-8, courtesy of Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, 14 West 10th St, Kansas City, MO, accessed December 4, 2010. Egon & Joan Teichert Fine Prints, http://www.eteichertfineprints.com/searchartist.php?inartist=Frank W. Benson, accessed December 29, 2010.)