Boston art club

DEFINITION

Founded in 1854 in Boston, Massachusetts, its purpose was exhibition and promotion of local artists, especially French paintings by the increasingly popular Barbizon School. Underlying this focus was the desire to form a democratic organization whose members cooperated in sales promotion of both well known and lesser-known artists, and worked for art education for themselves as well as the general public. Early founding members included Joseph Alexander Ames, Benjamin Champney and Samuel Lancaster Gerry. By the 1870s, the Club, with regular exhibitions of works hung 'salon' style, was an active influence in the community. In 1882, a permanent clubhouse was built on Newbury Street in Boston's 'Back Bay area. The Club, with 250 members, both artists and art collectors, continues to be active into 21st Century. However, the wars and economic depression of the early 20th Century caused the closure of the Club House, but members remain connected through the Internet. A major focus is working with art museums to place paintings in circulating exhibitions. Sources: Dane G. Hansen Museum, Logan, KS, http://www.tfaoi.com/newsmu/nmus49d.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Art_Club