history



The West Hartford Art League, formed in 1934, celebrated its 75^th anniversary as a regional arts organiztion in 2009. The Art League was started by two women who shared a studio at 14 North Main Street, Mrs. Rebecca Field Jones, a sculptress and painter, and Mrs. Gertrude Patterson, a portrait painter and art teacher.

As they started offering classes, the group grew and needed a larger space. They approached the town of West Hartford who offered them the “West School” at 87 Mountain Road, now known as the little red schoolhouse, which was ideal because of its central location. Through potluck suppers and volunteer work, plumbing and heating were introduced to the building. As the Art League continued to grow, they added children’s classes and exhibition opportunities.

In 1976 the Art League salvaged a second historic building for community use; the Woodruff Allen house which was built in 1759 as a farmhouse, and acquired by West Hartford in 1943 as a caretakers house for the town’s golf courses.

The Art League negotiated a nominal lease from the town in exchange for the League’s funding the buildings renovation. Ten years later, the town offered the old Buena Vista Clubhouse for use as a second gallery and classroom facility, which the Art League renovated for additional classroom and gallery space. These three buildings comprise the Art Leagues grounds. Restored and operated by the Art League, they are all part of West Hartford’s Historic District.

In 2009, the Art League moved out of the 250 year old Saltbox building, so repairs can be made to the historic buildings roof. Our office, and one of our two galleries are now based temporarily in Blue Back Square, in West Hartford Center, while work is being completed. We expect to be back on Buena Vista Road sometime in 2010.

Started as a volunteer based organization, a part-time position of Managing Director was added in 1995 to run the organization. The Art League now employs a full time Executive Director, with a staff of two part time registrars, a gallery assistant and a book-keeper.

The Art League is still supported by the work of the many volunteers who help hang our exhibits, staff our fundraising events, sit on our Board of Directors, and serve on our committees. All of our exhibitions are free and open to the public. Membership has grown to over 600 members from 51 communities in CT.

We continue to encourage young artists, and have donated gallery space for over 30 years to the West Hartford Public school system every year so they can hold ArtBeat, an exhibition of artwork of students in grades kindergarten through 12^th grade. We also offer a $1200 scholarship every spring to a graduating senior in the region who is going on to an accredited art school or University to study art.