President
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Communications
Claudia Chidester
MariaFrancesca Repucci
Frances Thompson
Jane Louis
Leslie McConnico
Karen Pope
According to archives housed at the Austin History Center, a part of the Austin Public Library, the Austin Art League, Group 1 was organized in 1909. The group was founded by Mrs. R. H. Baker, Miss Margaret Burroughs and Miss Ann Garrison. Meetings begun in 1909, although loose gatherings may have started as early as 1906. Most of the founders and early members were connected to The University of Texas at Austin, in some way, either directly with husbands who were on the faculty or indirectly as participants in various university activities.
In addition to monthly meetings and various programs presented to the group by members or guests, the Austin Art League was responsible in the early days for organizing exhibitions for the public to view. As stated in the minutes, "Art League early in the century brought exhibits to Texas to aid art education." In February 1914, an exhibition of selected paintings by American artists toured a Texas circuit within the cities of Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin and Houston. The works were assembled by the American Federation of Arts, Washington, D.C., of which the Austin Art League was a member. The exhibition ran for one month and programs were sold for ten cents.
In 1916, the Austin American-Statesman stated, " ...fifty paintings are on exhibit by the Austin Art League, all American contemporary artists. These exhibitions (referring to the circuit) have resulted in the formation of public art collections in three of the cities of the circuit. Houston has acquired a site and adopted plans for an art museum and is now securing funds for the building." There was in this same year an annual exhibit of artworks sponsored by Austin Art League and its filiate groups in Houston.
On November 5, 1925, a week-long exhibition of portraits by Nicholas R. Brewer was held at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel. This exhibition was organized by the Austin Art League, and in 1928 there was an additional exhibition of paintings shown in Austin with an accompanying catalogue. This catalogue may be found in the archives at the Austin History Center. The minutes of 1930-1931 show announcements in the Austin American Statesman stating that the Art League has "reached the quarter century of its existence" and that there is "no record of exact date of organization (possibly 1906-1910)." Initially, the group met casually with no minutes, and it was an informal organization with a "modest tea service and informal programs... members brought sewing." Within time there were five Art League groups that were formed in Austin and the "greatest achievement was shared knowledge from programs and the acquisition of paintings." Picnics were held at the yearend. The minutes of 1931 state:
"The little acorn state has passed, we have grown beyond the sapling state and are becoming a sturdy oak tree of age - it is our hope that Austin Art League will continue on to a centennial celebration."
Some 79 oil paintings were shown at the Austin Public Library in the late 1930s under the sponsorship of Austin Art League. The exhibition of works was free to the public. The minutes state, "Austin is the only city in Texas besides Houston that will show the paintings ... they are en route from California to New York City to be shown at the World's Fair next summer. The Exhibition Committee of the Art League is in direct charge of the exhibition." The Austin Art League worked with the Houston Art League, particularly with Mrs. Harris Masterson, and with the assistance of its associated groups.
In the early years, the Austin Art League participated in detailed study programs. The courses were acquired from the Metropolitan Museum and published by McGraw-Hill. The American Federation of Arts created the courses. Topics included Art History, Greek Sculpture, Modern Sculpture, Study and Appreciation of Pictures, Architectural and Mural Decoration, Italian Art, High Renaissance, Spanish Art, Modern French Art, Cathedrals in France, England, and Germany, Period Furniture and Oriental art. Programs lasted one full year.
In the 1950s, the minutes only gave program titles with one sentence. Luncheons were held at The Driskill Hotel at a cost of $1.75, which included the tip. Nine local art leagues maintained interaction with shared meetings, an annual meeting, a joint advisory board and joint league projects. Many of the programs were made by The University of Texas at Austin art professors, with whom the Art League continued a close collaboration. The minutes describe a loose history of the Texas Fine Arts Association. The Austin Art League supported a children's art show and chartered bus trips to museums. The Austin Art League was also a member of the Austin Women's Club and the Texas Fine Arts Association. Dues were paid to both groups. In the 1960s, a luncheon honoring former Austin Art League members was held, with members submitting memories and reminiscences of early days. Meetings varied as much as possible, with members sharing personally owned works of art with the
group.
By this time the Austin Art League had acquired a substantial group of paintings to create a collection, primarily via donations. These works were restored as needed at the Country Store Gallery in Austin. The collection of paintings was to be an asset of the Austin Art League for the purpose of decorating public buildings for the public to view. In 1972, paperwork was completed to give the group a non-profit status. In 1973, an archive for yearbooks was established at the Austin Public Library to be a part of their historical collection. The collection, with proper appraisals that totaled $14,000, was placed on an insurance policy by the Austin Public Library and the collection was put in the Capital National Bank.
The works could be lent, but not given, to an institution with documentation to guarantee insurance. In March 1979, Mr. Holt, then-director of the Austin Public Library, wrote a letter asking that the Art League consider permanently housing the collection in a new location. At that time, the works were housed at The University of Texas at Austin Academic Center. The collection was then moved to the Austin Public Library for storage in 1981 and later was installed in the reception room at the Austin History Center for public view.
July 8, 2020