SHORT HISTORY OF THE ART LEAGUE |
How It Got Started and Recent Past |
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The Art League of the Chathams (originally named Chatham
Township Art League) grew from an idea by Alice Lundt, then Township Clerk, to cover the walls of the newly renovated municipal
building for a dedication-celebration in 1988. She called her artist-friend, Janet Glover, for help in finding and inviting
Township artists to participate in a display of their work in the halls of the new building. They found 24 artists who brought
160 pieces to the display. After
the dedication, several of the exhibiting artists met to form an association for the artists of the Township. Its home would
be in the new Municipal Building. The group met October 3, 1988 to
formalize the organization with the agreed upon name, Chatham Township Art League.
The early years were dedicated to building camaraderie and to experimenting with activities to find
what “worked” to keep the membership interested and challenged. Many of the early activities: Spring, Summer,
Fall, Winter Exhibits, mini-workshops and programs, Holiday Party, End-of-Year Picnic, have stood the test of time. Other
endeavors that were successfully accomplished included, the painting of the stairway mural for the Chatham Township Historical
Society in the Little Red Schoolhouse in Chatham Township, many car-pooling and bus trips to art destinations, and refurbishing
an old painting for the Chatham Township Police Headquarters.
In 2007 the League voted to open its membership to include residents from the Borough of Chatham by establishing
a new Mission Statement and a set of Bylaws that were enthusiastically approved by the membership. Subsequently, a vote was
taken to establish the new name, Art League of the Chathams. The League’s
Board registered to incorporate the organization.
In
2008 the League celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a gala for which tickets were sold and donations were solicited
from the community which netted approx. $5,000 which has been dedicated partially toward sponsoring a scholarship to a graduating
student from Chatham High School each year forward.
In
2010 the league was asked by the Mayor of Chatham Township to paint a mural in the Municipal Bldg’s foyer which was
completed with an unveiling in December, 2010. The Art League of the Chathams' membership is currently near 45. Exhibition days for its four main shows each year have
been extended to fulfill its aim to keep the halls of the Township Municipal Building covered with art year round. Interested
persons (artists or non-artists) from either municipality are most welcome to join.
In January of 2012 the League voted to open its membership to include residents of towns near
to the Chathams. The Bylaws were altered but the name was to remain the same: Art
League of the Chathams.
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Edna Black Sandy Fiore Carmel Bourneuf Janet Glover Suzanne Cashin Kathy Havens David Cassa Lee Hinderliter Patrice Cheviot Jeanette Keyser Kay Chiarello Satoko Kojima Sylvia Engesser Jo Powers
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