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Guide to the Art Association of La Crosse Scrapbooks, 1915-1939
MSS 002
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- The Art Association of La Crosse was founded February 22, 1915, in the art department of the Normal School (later known as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse). The Association became a chapter of the National Federation of Arts. The main purpose of the Association was to sponsor exhibits and talks on art in La Crosse.
Scrapbooks probably compiled by University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Professor David O. Coate. The scrapbooks consist of articles and ephemera from the Art Association of La Crosse (Wisconsin) and the Men's Sketch Club, 1915-1926; 1932-1939. - Collection Title
- Art Association of La Crosse Scrapbooks
- Date of Materials
- 1915-1939
- Creator
- Art Association of La Crosse (Wis.).
- Call Number
- MSS 002
- Amount
- 0.4 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 1 archives box
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Art Association of La Crosse Scrapbooks, MSS 002, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Historical Note
The Art Association of La Crosse was founded February 22, 1915, in the art department of the Normal School (later known as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse). Originally, there were 282 charter members, all very prominent people in the community at the time. By June 1916, the membership roll boasted 305 persons. The Association was considered to be a chapter of the National Federation of Arts.
The first annual report states that the inspiration for the organization "grew out of an exhibit" of forty-three pictures from the Artists' Guild of Chicago. The original elected officers included David O. Coate (president), Frances Sill (first vice president), Katherine McDonald (second vice president), Helen Dorset (secretary), and Carl Rau (treasurer). The group also elected 19 members to the Board of Directors.
The main purpose of the Association was to sponsor exhibits and talks on art in La Crosse. These exhibits were free and open to the public. Early exhibits were held in the art room of the La Crosse Public Library and later in the Masonic Temple and Chamber of Commerce building. The Association also purchased and maintained their own permanent art collection.
Another group that had its roots in the Art Association was the Art Workers' Club. This organization was a sketch club that sponsored a weekly drawing class for its members. The group was generally instructed by Mrs. C.K. Pettingill who offered additional outside instruction for a fee.
The final mention of the Association in these scrapbooks is in 1926. The last scrapbook contains many articles on the Men's Sketch Club, of which D.O. Coate was a member, and some other art notes in the La Crosse newspapers, 1932-1939.
Scope and Contents
The scrapbooks, which may have been kept by Professor David O. Coate, consist of articles, programs and ephemera of the Art Association of La Crosse 1915-1926. After this, a series of articles on the Men's Sketch Club of La Crosse appear from 1932-1939. Included in the early scrapbooks was a copy of the first annual report and a list of charter members of the Association.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 1989 June
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
Donated by David Henke (Accession No. 1986.005)
Processing Information
Processed by Anita Taylor Doering, June 1989.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Art Association of La Crosse (Wis.).
- Art Worker's Club (La Crosse, Wis.).
- National Federation of Arts. La Crosse (Wis.) Chapter.
- Wisconsin. State Normal School (La Crosse).
Geographic Name(s)
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Societies, etc.
Subject(s)
- Art--Wisconsin--La Crosse
- Artists--Wisconsin--La Crosse--Societies, etc.
OCLC Number
47227125
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Constitution, bylaws, charter members, 1915 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Exhibit programs, 1915-1926 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Photographs, undated |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Scrapbook #1, 1915-1922 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Scrapbook #2, 1923-1939 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Ephemera, undated |
1 | 6 | ||