History of the Permanent Collection
of the Arts Council of Spartanburg County*

In 1907, on March 1, Mrs. B. King Couper (Josephine Sibley Couper) and Miss Margaret Law organized the Arts and Crafts Club. Its objective was to bring exhibitions of fine paintings to Spartanburg. About Mrs. Couper,

Who's Who in American Art writes:

COUPER, Mrs. B. King, Montreat, N.C. P.--Born Augusta, Ga. Feb. 23, 1867. Pupil of Chase, Daingerfield, Du Mond, Breckenridge and Cox; L'hote in Paris. Member: North Shore AA; Columbia (S.C.) AA; Lg. Am. Pen W.; Boston AC; SSAL; N.A. Women PS; NAC. Represented in permanent collection, Spartanburg, S.C.; Sweat Memorial Art Museum, Portland, Me.; Currier Gallery of Art, Manchester, N.H.; Brooklyn Museum of Art; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Ga.

"Chain Gang "
by Margaret Law

Miss Margaret Law's entry in Who's Who in American Art reads thus:

LAW, Margaret Moffett, 376 Spring St., Spartanburg, S.C. P., E., Lith. L., T.--Born Spartanburg, S.C. Pupil of Chase, Henri, Mora and Hawthorne; André L'hote. Member: Wash. WCC; Balto. WCC; Fellowship PAFA: Am. APL; FA Lg. of the Carolinas. Work: "Feeding Chickens," Kennedy Library, "Under the Mimosa," Art Club, Spartanburg, S.C.; "Wayside Chat," Converse College, S.C.; "A Short Crop," Phillipe Memorial Gallery, Washington, D.C.; "The Road to Town," Clifton Park High School, Balt.,Md.; lithographs, "Maud," "King George's American Audience," "His Holiness Broadcasts," "Gore by Air," "Jones Gals," "Deer," "Sleeping," "The Weary"; etchings, "Feeding Chickens," "At the Cabin Door," "Vitamines," "Coal Famine," Baltimore Museum of Art; Prints, Collection of Baltimore Friends of Art; etching, "At the Cabin Door," High Museum of Art, Atlanta, Ga. Lectures on Art Appreciation.

"Girl with the Red Hair"
by Robert Henri

The first exhibit was held in April, 1907, in Spartanburg with more than one hundred paintings by America's leading artists: Robert Henri, William Chase, Elliott Daingerfield, F. Luis Mora, Miss Anna Heyward Taylor, Mrs. Couper and Miss Law.

One of the paintings exhibited was Henri's "Girl with the Red Hair" which the Arts and Crafts Club decided to purchase as the nucleus for the local collection. Following is wording of a brief history of how Spartanburg became the home of this painting:

Fifty years ago Spartanburg fell in love with a painting,"The Girl with the Red Hair,"by Robert Henri.

On March 1, 1907, The Arts and Crafts Club was organized in Spartanburg with Mrs. B. King Couper and the late Miss Margaret M. Law as the prime movers, to "cultivate the art spirit" and. . . "to bring an exhibition of good paintings here." The exhibition became a reality the following month, with more than 100 paintings by America's leading artists at the time being expressed to Spartanburg for the exhibit.

Among those exhibiting were Robert Henri, William M. Chase, Elliott Daingerfield, F. Luis Mora, Miss Anna Heyward Taylor, Mrs. B. King Couper, and Miss Margaret M. Law.

The Spartanburg Herald of that day stated:

"There is much rejoicing in Arts and Crafts Circles over the news that Robert Henri's "Girl with the Red Hair" comes to Spartanburg. This is one of the talked of pictures of the 'Society of American Artists' exhibition, the exhibition of the year in New York last season."

Miss Law's paintings were sent down from an exhibition at the Pen and Brush Club in New York, and Mrs. Couper's paintings were sent from Philadelphia where she exhibited.

Spartanburg fell in love with the "Girl with the Red Hair"...editorials were published in the local papers...speeches were made for this painting to be kept in Spartanburg as a nucleus for a fine arts gallery...enthusiasm mounted.

In a letter to the Editor of the Spartanburg Daily Herald, a citizen wrote,

"The appeal to civic pride, the having a genuine work of art the property of the community, is not unworthy by any means, but the better thought is that the money thus invested will for all time bear splendid interest in the elevation of the popular taste in such matters". . ." It is a fact that Spartanburg will be a better place, better for those even who never see it (the painting) because such a painting is before the eyes of our children."

Following the exhibition, which was Spartanburg's first and probably the best it has ever had, a subscription list was circulated and the $500 for the purchase of the painting was begun to be collected.

Active members of the Arts and Crafts Club sold coupons on the street...the value of the coupons being from $5 downward...any amount was accepted. It was interesting to note that the largest contributor for the painting was not one of Spartanburg's wealthiest citizens, nor one of its oldest families, but a newly arrived immigrant from Greece, a Mr. Trakas, the fruiterer. The Spartanburg Daily Herald publicized this donation "That the Greeks have always led in art, and Mr. Trakas sustained the reputation of that fine race."

Time ran out, however, and only $400 was raised for the purchase of the painting...a telegram was dispatched to Mr. Henri for an extension of two weeks to see if more money could be raised. A special meeting was called of the art-loving citizens of Spartanburg. Mr. Henri's letter was read, which in part was

"that you have liked my picture of the 'Girl with the Red Hair' gives me much pleasure, and I appreciate the honor that will be mine if you expect to make it the beginning of your city's art collection"

...the two-week extension was granted, finally the money was raised, and on Thursday, May 9, 1907, "The Girl With the Red Hair" was hung with ceremonies in Kennedy Library...the nucleus for a fine arts gallery for Spartanburg.

Today, practically fifty years later, "The Girl With the Red Hair" continues to look down on admiring Spartans--and she has held her place as Spartanburg's most valuable painting...one of which we all should be very proud.

["The Girl With the Red Hair" was featured in a Walt Disney Studios movie, "The Art Spirit", which is also the title of Henri's autobiography. See attached clipping from Spartanburg Herald August 4, 1957.]

The Spartanburg Arts and Crafts Club suffered its demise with the coming of World War I, and there was no connection between it and the Spartanburg Art Club organized in 1923. Granted the selection of the Kennedy Library proved a poor place to house such fine paintings. From 1907 to the fall of 1952, the Henri, Harrison, Prichard, Couper and Law paintings hung in the Kennedy Library on Magnolia Street where the Courthouse now stands.

When Miss Nancy Blair was librarian, the roof was leaking, not having been replaced during the depression or thereafter. In desperation, she released six paintings along with other accumulated flotsam and jetsom [sic] to the Spartanburg Art Club. On October 8, 1952, on Spartanburg Art Club stationery and headed "Listing of the Gifts donated to the above club, in its thirty years", we find !he next statement and listing of paintings:

The Club voted at a Call meeting to unanimously donate the following gifts to Converse College "In Memorium" for the deceased past Presidents.

Paintings

Etchings

Water Color Paintings

Busts

Prints

Pottery

Library

(Copy of above listing attached)

"The Old Fisherman" a.k.a. "Mending the Nets", by Josephine Sibley Couper

Correspondence from Constance Couper Haney (Mrs. John) who was Mrs. Couper's daughter living in Tryon, N.C., is dated November 23, 1953:

Dear Miss Blair:

This is my second visit. I am sorry to have missed seeing you again. I have called to ask if the Library intends to hang "The Old Fisherman", painted by Mrs. B. King Couper of Tryon, N.C. and formerly of Spartanburg. "The Old Fisherman" is a large canvas painted in oil. It was given the Permanent Collection of the Library. Mrs. B. King Couper signs her paintings J. S. Couper. Her maiden name was Josephine Sibley. She has paintings in the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum of Art--A Branch Museum of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia, and in many other institutions. Please write and let me know why "The Old Fisherman" is not out where he can be seen in the Library.

Sincerely,
Constance Couper Haney

Miss Blair's reply of the same date--November 23, 1953:

Miss John W. Haney
Box 991
Tryon, N.C.

Dear Mrs. Haney:

I am sorry I did not have the opportunity of talking with you this morning so we could clear up the matter of "The Old Fisherman."

Some time ago the Art Association [Club?] here worked out an arrangement with Converse College for the housing of the paintings which belonged to the Association. Mrs. Gerry, who was in charge of the collecting of the paintings, came here with a list of them. On their list was "The 0ld Fisherman," which, I gathered from Mrs. King Couper's letter to me, belonged to the Library. Since the Association listed it among their holdings and since the library has very little wall space, I did not press the issue.

I would, however, like a statement as to ownership. If we ever get a new building it is my hope that space will be available for an art gallery and, if the painting in question belongs to the library, we should certainly wish to have it.

Yours very truly,
Nancy C. Blair

cc: Mrs. H. C. Gerry 184
High Point Rd.
Spartanburg, S.C.

When Mrs. Couper lived and painted in Spartanburg, she owned a house on Pine Street (now the United Way office) and her studio was upstairs with a special northern light. This building was later the manse for the First Presbyterian Church. Grace DuPre rented the studio to paint in after her return from New York City. For the most part, Mr. August Cook was chairman of the art department at Converse College, but the paintings stayed in a closed [sic] except for 'an exhibition in January 1964 from the Collection of the Department of Art [catalogue attached]. The Spartanburg Art Club is acknowledged with gratitude for its contributions to the Converse College permanent art collection and the catalog lists "Mending the Nets" ("The Old Fisherman") by Mrs. B. King Couper; "Under the Mimosa" by Margaret Law; "Waiting for the Fishing" by G. Thompson Pritchard; "Where East Meets West" by G. Thompson Pritchard; and "Early Lamplight" by Birge Harrison. All of these gifts, Spartanburg Art Club.

"Boy with Jugs"
by Josephine Sibley Couper

On January 27, 1965, Mrs. Haney wrote Mr. Coleman on her printed stationery from the Rock House Art Gallery, Box 991, Tryon, N.C. 28782, as follows:

Dear Mr. Coleman:

The oil, painting, "Boy with Jugs", which hung in the old library, is an original oil painting by my mother J. S. Couper (Mrs. B. King Couper) of Spartanburg, S. C. and Tryon, N.C.

The model for this painting was a girl, the daughter of a foreigner who was nurse to John Adger Law (Jr.) when the Law family lived at Saxon Mill, Spartanburg, S.C.

I do not know who named the picture, but it is not a copy.

John and I are planning a vacation about March 1st through 9th. Can you tell me if you plan an exhibition of Mother's work this Spring and for 2 months? And the dates? Also before March 1st, we could let the pictures go--or arrange a time suitable to you and to Mr. Buchanan.

Sincerely,
Constance Haney

The following was written by Mr. Frank Coleman when he, Mr. Buchanan, Mrs. Frank Cunningham, Mrs. John Smith, and Mr. George Linder, librarian at the new library on Pine Street, questioned the ownership of the collection by the Art Club, and therefore their gift of said paintings to Converse College:

dated February 8, 1965

THE FOLLOWING PAINTINGS WERE GIVEN TO CONVERSE COLLEGE BY THE SPARTANBURG ART CLUB IN THE FALL OF 1952; THESE PAINTINGS WERE PURCHASED BY, OR GIVEN TO, THE PEOPLE OF SPARTANBURG AS A NUCLEUS OF A COMMUNITY FINE ARTS COLLECTION THEN HOUSED IN THE KENNEDY FREE LIBRARY ON MAGNOLIA STREET, AND WERE NOT THE PROPERTY OF THE SAID ART CLUB:

(1) "After Lamplight" by Birge Harrison (Improperly listed by the Spartanburg Art Club as "Early Lamplight", and also known to others as "Home at Evening")

(2) "Mending the Nets" by J. S. Couper (Mrs. B. King Couper), and also known or listed as "Old Fisherman".

(3) "Boy with Jugs"--incorrectly listed by the Spartanburg Art Club with this title and as the work of Robert Henri. (In reality, this was an original painting of a young girl with jugs, and is an original painting by J. S. Couper.)

[Statement by Mr. Frank Coleman, February 8, 1965, continued]

CONTENTS: EXHIBITS CERTIFYING OWNERSHIP AND RIGHTFUL LOCATION: Community Fine Arts Collection--SPARTANBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY PROPER LOCATION FOR HOUSING.

Exhibits: Chronologically listed, attached.

(1) Complete listing of paintings, books, etc. given by the Spartanburg Art Club (on their letterhead) (dated October 8, 1952) to Converse College.

(2) Letter dated November 23, 1953, to Miss Nancy Blair, Librarian, from Mrs. Constance Couper Haney, certifying "The Old Fisherman" to be property of Library Collection

(3) Letter dated November 23, 1953, to Mrs. John W. Haney from Miss Nancy Blair, Librarian.

(4) Letter dated December 28, 1953, to Miss Nancy Blair, from Mrs. Kendall Hobbs, Corresponding Secretary, Spartan burg Art Club.

(5) Letter dated December 9, 1956, to Mrs. B. King Couper from Frank Coleman.

(6) Letter dated July 29, 1963, to President Robert Coleman, Converse College, from Miss Nancy Blair-stating rightful location and ownership of paintings lies with Spartanburg Public Library.

(7) Letter dated February 12, 1964, to Mrs. John Davis Smith, President, Spartanburg County Library Board, from R. T. Coleman, Jr., President, Converse College

(8) Letter dated January 20, 1965, to Mrs. John Haney from Frank Coleman.

(9) Statement of Mr. Ernest Carlisle dated January 27, 1965, certifying location and ownership of paintings lies with Spartanburg Public Library. Mr. Carlisle was living in Spartanburg, and was active in cultural programs of the city, at the time these paintings were originally hung in the Kennedy Library.

(10) Letter dated January 27, 1965, to Mr. Frank Coleman, from Mrs. John Haney, stating the oil painting "Boy with Jugs" by Robert Henri is incorrectly listed; certifying it is an original oil painting of a young girl with jugs by her mother, Mrs. B. King Couper, and who signed her paintings "J. S. Couper."

(11) Letter dated January 29, 1965, to Mrs. John Haney from Frank Coleman.

(12) Letter dated January 29, 1965, to Mrs. W. C. Ezell, past President, Spartanburg Art Club, from Frank Coleman.

(13) Statement of James Buchanan, certifying rightful location and ownership of paintings lies with Spartanburg Public Library. This Statement dated January 31, 1965.

(14) Statement of Frank Coleman, certifying rightful location and ownership of paintings lies with Spartanburg Public Library. This Statement dated January 31, 1965.

(15) Statement, dated February 4, 1965, of George R. Linder, Librarian, Spartanburg Public Library.

(16) Exhibition of Paintings, etc., at Converse College, January, 1964--Given by Spartanburg Art Club. ("Boy with Jugs" by Robert Henri [?J not listed or exhibited).

Mr. Ernest Carlisle, active for many years in the city's art circles, made the following deposition on January 27, 1965:

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

In 1907, just previous to the May Music Festival, Mrs. B. King Couper and Miss Margaret M. Law, conceived the idea of having an art exhibit during the May Festival for the entertainment of visitors and others, in which they were encouraged. They got in contact with a sales gallery in New York and a large number of paintings were sent, of various sizes. These were hung in a large hall, upstairs over what is now the Thom McKann Shoe Store, at the southwest corner of South Church and Main Streets. [This store has since been demolished.]

Each of these painters also hung some of their work in the exhibit, and all visitors were requested to vote on the painting in the entire exhibit they preferred. This was done, and at the end of the exhibit, it was found that Robert Henri's painting of the "Girl with the Red Hair" had been selected, and it was then decided to purchase this painting. Mrs. Couper and Miss Law immediately went to work to solicit funds for the project, and after a short time they succeeded and the painting was purchased by the people of Spartanburg as a nucleus for a Fine Arts Collection for the City of Spartanburg.

"After Lamplight"
Lowell Birge Harrison

The following year (1908) the previous exhibit was repeated, and the painting by Birge Harrison "Home at Evening" (now known as "After Lamplight" and "Early Lamplight") was bought for $700, as an addition to the Fine Arts Collection, begun the previous year. The question of where to hang these pictures came up. After some discussion it was decided to hang them in the Kennedy Library on Magnolia Street. This was done. There they remained for a number of years.

Many years later (in 1923) there was an organization in this city called the "Spartanburg Art Club". It seems that at one of their meetings, as I understand it, one of the members introduced a resolution to take all these paintings from the Kennedy Library and transfer them somewhere else. This was done by some person, or persons, unknown to me, and I did not know of the matter at the time. Later, I started a search for the paintings, together with a friend of mine, Mr. J. Frank Collins, and we went to the Library, thinking possibly the janitor had moved the paintings from where they were hung, and we made a thorough search of the building, including the attic and cellar, and could find no trace of the paintings. Then I started calling several people in the city, who I thought might know something about it, but all of them disclaimed any knowledge of the matter. Some time thereafter Mr. Collins reported to me that he had seen these paintings in the studio of Mr. August Cook at Converse College, when he was there on some other business with Mr. Cook.

I was told that Miss Margaret M. Law had taken the paintings she had given the Library back to her home, when she learned that they had been relegated to the attic.

Mrs. B. King Couper had presented to the Library, as an addition to the Fine Arts Collection, a painting which she had done, and entitled "The Old Fisherman" (now known as "Mending the Nets"). This, too, was taken from the Library by the Spartanburg Art Club and given to Converse College. I understand Mrs. Couper was very much disturbed, when she learned the painting had been removed from the Library without any legal right or authority.

The funds for the paintings by Robert Henri and Birge Harrison, mentioned above, were collected from people from all walks of life-the merchants, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and even the school children had added their small amounts. These paintings were not purchased for any individual, or other organization or institution, of the city. These paintings, which were purchased, are the property of the people of Spartanburg exclusively, and belong to them only, as are the paintings given by Mrs. Couper and others.

I would certainly like to see them returned to the Spartanburg Library on Pine Street without delay.

signed Ernest Carlisle
645 Crystal Drive,
Spartanburg, S. C.

Miss Nancy Blair had written a letter to Dr. Robert Coleman, President of Converse College, on July 29, 1963 in which she gave her reasons for wanting the paintings to be returned to the Library and her reasons for relinquishing them to the Art Club in the first place. It should be noted that she was careful not to turn over to them Henri's "Girl with the Red Hair" by far the most valuable painting of the lot. Her letter to Dr. Coleman read as follows:

Dear President Coleman:

As librarian of the old Kennedy Library on Magnolia Street in 1953, I was entrusted with a collection of paintings which had been donated by the citizens of Spartanburg, and which had hung in the library more than forty years. The library was dirty, small, leaky so the paintings were ill-displayed and finally relegated to the attic. These paintings had been bought with citizens' donations by the Arts and Crafts Club between 1907 and World War I at which time the club became defunct.

In 1953, the Spartanburg Art Club, organized in 1923, approached me about the paintings. Though this club had no claim to ownership of the collection, in desperation, I turned all of them except Henri's "Girl with the Red Hair" over to them. The Henri was the first painting bought in 1907, and it still hangs in the Public Library. It was my hope that the collection would be properly cared for and displayed. Instead, it has remained unseen and unappreciated in the Converse Art Studio these ten years.

The Spartanburg County Library now has beautiful air-conditioned facilities and adequate room. Both the Library and the Spartanburg County Historical Association ask that the paintings be returned to the Library where they originally hung for the benefit of the general public. Enclosed you will find a list of the oils, etchings, water color, and busts in the Fine Art Collection of Spartanburg.

Sincerely yours,
(Miss) Nancy Blair
S. C. Library Board
Columbia, S. C.

The College and Dr. Coleman with the endorsement of the Board of Trustees returned the paintings to the Library, and Mr. George Linder signed for them on May 21, 1965. I was keeping the Museum that afternoon, and it was a real thrill to see all our efforts rewarded with the appearance of the Converse College station wagon.

Mr. Ernest Carlisle's deposition was taken January 27, 1965, when Buck (James Buchanan), Frank (Cunningham--father of Frank Cunningham, of the Spartanburg County Foundation), and I visited him at his daughter's, Mrs. Frank Cunningham's. Birge Harrison's "After Lamplight" was bought by the Arts and Crafts Club in 1908 for $700 or $800. There is an account of this purchase on Page 4, Spartanburg Herald, April 16, 1908.

This report was compiled to fulfill the Purpose of the Long Range Planning Committee, chaired by Dr. Maxwell Goldberg, from the minutes of February 18, 1980:

To help provide background and context for the sub-committee studies and discussions, Peggy Gignilliat was called on to make a presentation concerning the history of the holdings of the Spartanburg Art Club, presented to the Arts Council on April 4, 1977. Copies of her notes are to be made a part of the permanent record and placed where they may be permanently available for documentation and reference.

Agreed: To compile a catalogue of relevant art objects and collections to include both provenance, measurements needed for storage when not on exhibit in a humidity and temperature controlled area.

To fulfill this purpose, attached is a copy of a letter dated April 4, 1977, to Georgia Allen (then Director of the Spartanburg Arts Council), and a copy of the listing of paintings, etchings, watercolor paintings and prints received from the Spartanburg County Public Library by the Arts Council of Spartanburg County on May 17, 1977.

A listing of holdings of the Spartanburg Arts Council with measurements framed and unframed is also attached.

The librarian, Mr. Linder, went to Durham and was replaced by Dennis Bruce. The library has become more and more crowded with the years and increased patronage, and Mr. Bruce did not want to be running an art gallery. Therefore, the pictures (with a letter also from Mrs. W. C. Ezell for the Art Club, which as far as I am concerned never did hold title to them) were given to the Spartanburg Arts Council.

Also attached is an inventory which includes all paintings at the Regional Museum which ought to be moved to the Arts Center at an early date. Both inventories were made by Nita Milliken and me.

Another story lies behind the Robert E. Lee portrait which still hangs in the main reading room of the Spartanburg Public Library after being competently restored by Mr. John Petty when he was conservator for the Greenville Museum of Art. City Council commissioned this painting by Albert C. Guerry for the sum of $200. (Minutes of July 11, 1872) Guerry tried to do the painting from life, but Lee died before he got to Lexington. A letter from Mary Custis Lee is in the files of the Spartanburg Public Library. It is addressed to Dr. Henry E. Heinitsh, Sr., of City Council and is dated 1872. Content is as follows:

My dear Sir,

I should have replied sooner to your letter, but have been much engaged having just returned home from the Springs. I send the coat tho' I must tell you that it has not been worn enough to make it easy 'in the folds. It came at the close of the War. The artist must remember this and try and make it pliable when he paints it. I hope he will succeed in making a fine picture. Gen'l Lee wore this uniform only one morning and I thought it fit very well. I will endeavor to get the box containing the coat off the 1st or 2nd Septr and you can keep it as long as you require it as it is only preserved as a relic.

Very respectfully,
Mary Custis Lee

If a day comes when the Library does not want the responsibility for acting as Custodian for this painting of Lee, which is very good and in its original frame, it should surely have a place with the rest of the permanent collection since it was paid for with city funds.

Peggy T. Gignilliat
April 7, 1982
Spartanburg Art Club Spartanburg, S. C.

April 4, 1977

Mrs. Georgia Allen
Arts Council Exec. Director
385 South Spring St.
Spartanburg, S. C. 29301

Dear Mrs. Allen:

Your letter of February 28th was read at our recent Art Club Meeting. The Club voted unanimously to present these pictures to the Arts Council for acceptance. We are glad this collection will find a suitable permanent home at last. The committee appointed to work with you on this is

Mrs. W. C. Ezell
Miss Emily Myrtle Smith
Mrs. F. O. Bartel.

We will be glad to meet with you to discuss in more detail the routine for getting this collection into your possession. Please call me when you are ready. We wish to corroborate the discussion we had with you recently. Miss Smith can help with any cleaning, etc. I will be glad to cooperate with the publicity, and will prepare & brief history of each picture for publicity purposes and for a permanent record.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Spartanburg Art Club
Mrs. W. C. Ezell secretary
Ph. 384 2567

adapted for the web by Scott Cunningham