An Abridged History Of The K-W Society Of Artists...
The formation of this art society was the inspiration of one man, Ralph Conner. Following an advertisement placed in the Kitchener Record, a group of artists held their first meeting in June 1931 in the Oak Room at Schreiters Furniture Store in Kitchener. During the winter, the activities of the Art Society of Kitchener (as it was called then) consisted of group painting and during the summer members went on sketching trips. These were Depression years and expeditions were mostly on foot or by street car.
They rented a studio and the first public show in April 1932 was affectionately known as the “million dollar” exhibition as not a single painting was priced under $100. Some were even priced at $500. The quantity of the paintings far exceeded their quality and only one was sold. Later they exhibited in the old Kitchener Public Library on Queen St., but membership began to decline. They lost the studio when they could no longer pay the rent. The original group, nicknamed the “League of Nations” because it was comprised of artists from many ethnic backgrounds, eventually dwindled to a mere 8 members.
In 1949, the Doon School of Fine Arts was started by Ross Hamilton and the Society met there. He did much to obtain recognition for the group outside the local community. He organized many events and arranged for one major show at the Art Gallery in Vancouver. In retrospect, he had an outstanding influence on the Society.
Between 1955 and 1956, the K-W Art Gallery Association was formed and KWSA members served on various committees. It was through the efforts of the Gallery Association that the bicycle shed next to the K-W Collegiate was obtained and renovated for visiting art shows and KWSA exhibitions. A number of art “marts” were held over the years to help finance the bicycle shed gallery, but obtaining money was always a problem.
When the new Kitchener Public Library opened in 1962, the Society was able to use the facilities for exhibits and art rental. A great deal of controversy preceded the commissioning of a large mural in the new library with many artists competing for the honour. The commission finally went to KWSA member Jack Bechtel, and the mural can be seen today on the Southwest wall of the main library.
On the fringes of the group at the bicycle shed were two teenaged brothers, Paul and Brad Blain. The Blains later became associated with the Rothman Gallery in Stratford, and it was through that link that the City enlisted help from Rothman to start up the Kitchener Art Gallery on Benton and Charles Streets on the site of the vacant Pentecostal Church. This was purchased with the help of a service club and opened in 1968. The lower level gave the Society more space for painting and teaching and exhibiting took place on the upper floor.
When the Centre in the Square officially opened on September 29, 1980 KWSA began to hold regular meetings and workshops in various rooms in the Gallery. The Eastman Gallery in the main KW Art Gallery was formerly known as “The Cycle Gallery” to commemorate the old bicycle shed. KWSA members were very active in supporting the Gallery and our annual juried shows were showcased there and for many years sponsored by Budd Canada. In 1999, under a new executive, changes were made at the Gallery. KWSA began meeting in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall until they were offered a place at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre (the Button Factory), our present location. Since 1993 we have been associated with a major biennial exhibition at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
In 2011 as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary, KWSA is going strong - meeting regularly from September to June, hosting many leading fine artists as presenters during the year and keeping our members abreast of activities in the local art scene. The minutes of our meetings are now sent out by e-mail as are announcements between meetings. Membership information, applications and examples of members’ work are found on our website. Our annual juried show at Homer Watson House and Gallery is very well attended and several members’ shows are held each year. Over the years we have supported many art initiatives in the community and continue to welcome and mentor artists at all levels. We look back on a proud heritage and work toward a promising future.
The formation of this art society was the inspiration of one man, Ralph Conner. Following an advertisement placed in the Kitchener Record, a group of artists held their first meeting in June 1931 in the Oak Room at Schreiters Furniture Store in Kitchener. During the winter, the activities of the Art Society of Kitchener (as it was called then) consisted of group painting and during the summer members went on sketching trips. These were Depression years and expeditions were mostly on foot or by street car.
They rented a studio and the first public show in April 1932 was affectionately known as the “million dollar” exhibition as not a single painting was priced under $100. Some were even priced at $500. The quantity of the paintings far exceeded their quality and only one was sold. Later they exhibited in the old Kitchener Public Library on Queen St., but membership began to decline. They lost the studio when they could no longer pay the rent. The original group, nicknamed the “League of Nations” because it was comprised of artists from many ethnic backgrounds, eventually dwindled to a mere 8 members.
In 1949, the Doon School of Fine Arts was started by Ross Hamilton and the Society met there. He did much to obtain recognition for the group outside the local community. He organized many events and arranged for one major show at the Art Gallery in Vancouver. In retrospect, he had an outstanding influence on the Society.
Between 1955 and 1956, the K-W Art Gallery Association was formed and KWSA members served on various committees. It was through the efforts of the Gallery Association that the bicycle shed next to the K-W Collegiate was obtained and renovated for visiting art shows and KWSA exhibitions. A number of art “marts” were held over the years to help finance the bicycle shed gallery, but obtaining money was always a problem.
When the new Kitchener Public Library opened in 1962, the Society was able to use the facilities for exhibits and art rental. A great deal of controversy preceded the commissioning of a large mural in the new library with many artists competing for the honour. The commission finally went to KWSA member Jack Bechtel, and the mural can be seen today on the Southwest wall of the main library.
On the fringes of the group at the bicycle shed were two teenaged brothers, Paul and Brad Blain. The Blains later became associated with the Rothman Gallery in Stratford, and it was through that link that the City enlisted help from Rothman to start up the Kitchener Art Gallery on Benton and Charles Streets on the site of the vacant Pentecostal Church. This was purchased with the help of a service club and opened in 1968. The lower level gave the Society more space for painting and teaching and exhibiting took place on the upper floor.
When the Centre in the Square officially opened on September 29, 1980 KWSA began to hold regular meetings and workshops in various rooms in the Gallery. The Eastman Gallery in the main KW Art Gallery was formerly known as “The Cycle Gallery” to commemorate the old bicycle shed. KWSA members were very active in supporting the Gallery and our annual juried shows were showcased there and for many years sponsored by Budd Canada. In 1999, under a new executive, changes were made at the Gallery. KWSA began meeting in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall until they were offered a place at the Waterloo Community Arts Centre (the Button Factory), our present location. Since 1993 we have been associated with a major biennial exhibition at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery.
In 2011 as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary, KWSA is going strong - meeting regularly from September to June, hosting many leading fine artists as presenters during the year and keeping our members abreast of activities in the local art scene. The minutes of our meetings are now sent out by e-mail as are announcements between meetings. Membership information, applications and examples of members’ work are found on our website. Our annual juried show at Homer Watson House and Gallery is very well attended and several members’ shows are held each year. Over the years we have supported many art initiatives in the community and continue to welcome and mentor artists at all levels. We look back on a proud heritage and work toward a promising future.