Curb Market?

Ten days had passed and Vernon C. Porter, a Manhattan commercial artist, still waited last week for the final decision on his big idea: the establishment of an open air market in Washington Square where indigent artists may sell their work direct to the public. Such a curb market has existed on the Boulevard Raspail in Paris for years. In Vienna. Berlin, London, Moscow, similar sidewalk sales have often been held.

Mr. Porter organized a committee of 40 artists, with the blessings of such well known names as John Sloan, Tony Sarg, Joseph Easley, Julian Bowes, Alfred H. Barr. They begged the Park Commission's permission to occupy daily, between 10 a. m. and sunset, a 6-ft. strip of the streets bordering and enclosing Washington Square Park. They promised to keep 10 ft. away from street intersections and entrances to the park, neither to hawk nor solicit passersby, to make no litter, to pick up their campstools and easels and go home at nightfall. Foreseeing one obvious objection of officialdom the committee added in its petition that the moppets of Washington Square would be exposed to no nudes, no political propaganda.

Art on the sidewalks seemed to frighten Park Commissioner Walter R. Herrick. Sadly he announced that he had no alternative but to refuse permission since the New York City Charter states:

"It shall not be lawful to grant, use or occupy for the purposes of a public fair or exhibition any portion of any park, square or public place."

Chairman Porter retorted swiftly: "The city provides outdoor selling space for peddlers of meat, vegetables, pretzels, chestnuts and cheap jewelry. It is inconceivable that the city will do less for those who have devoted their lives to art than it does for the pushcart merchant. ... If they give us a chance we will put on a show that will be not only an attraction to New Yorkers but a new drawing card for the thousands who visit the city daily. . . . The show would contain some really fine things, not like the Independents' Exhibition."

Offers of aid came from many directions. One Meyer Glickstein, lawyer, offered his services free on behalf of the Curb Market, immediately announced that the legal aspects of the case hinged entirely on whether a picture market would contribute to the "utility, ornament, or pleasure of the people." Richard Dudensing offered to hang works of unemployed artists free in his gallery of modern art. So did several restaurants, hat shops, delicatessens. Chairman Porter politely declined these offers, explained that the artists were looking for a chance to sell their works directly to the public. Heeding the wave of public interest, Park Commissioner Herrick reconsidered the whole matter, then refused permission again. Messrs. Porter & Glickstein carried their plea to Commissioner of Police Edward P. Mulrooney.

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