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History of the Cheshire Art League Footnotes: [ ] The Early Years... (1958-1991) [1] During late 1958, Cheshire’s only photo shop was a gathering place for townspeople with interests in art. Its owner, Mr. Arthur Paolillo, was one of the founding members of the League. Mr. Paolillo had complied a sign-up list of individuals interested in forming an organization dedicated to art appreciation. The founding group consisted of about thirty members who met at the shop to attend a demonstration by artist Bob Wells. The Cheshire Art League was formally organized a month later at the Cheshire Library, which was to be the League’s monthly meeting place until the mid-1960s. The Art League was then offered the old 1st District schoolhouse on Woodbury Court in the center of town for use as a meeting facility.  1st District schoolhouse [2] Woodbury Court In 1972, the League moved out of this facility and continued to meet at various locations in town, including the Cheshire Senior Center, where they met at least until 1991. The earliest judged exhibitions were held at the Cheshire Academy Gymnasium during the 1950s and 1960s. Since 1972, the League has held various indoor exhibitions, including their annual spring show, at the Cheshire Public Library. Informal outdoor shows were also held on the Cheshire Green and old schoolhouse grounds. These were often called “clothesline shows” because the paintings were hung from clotheslines stretched between trees. Cheshire Art League today... (1992-Present) [3] Eventually the League resumed use of the Cheshire Library. In 2008, the League moved their meeting location to the business location of one of its members, The Picture Framer on Elm Street, owned by Ann and Tom Hearn.  The Picture Framer & Gallery [4] Elm Street Since March of 2009, the League has been once again meeting at the Cheshire Senior Center on Maple Avenue. The Cheshire Art League continues to hold its exhibitions at the Cheshire Public Library. |
Quick Facts
Established: 1958 Founder: Arthur Paolillo
C.A.L. Presidents
(partial list) Jane French Lois Meusel Jerry Lodynsky Martin Gent Ruth Eppler Jean Surprenant Helen Richardson Heather Whitehouse Renee Braunsdorf Joan Shackford |
 2009 Annual Exhibit Award Ceromony Cheshire Public Library |
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Footnotes: [1] A special thanks to Arthur Paolillo, Sally LaPlante and Lois Jean Meek, who offered their recollections of how the organization came to be. Preliminary History of The Cheshire Art League as written up in the show booklet of the 36th Annual Spring Exhibition, held in conjunction with the Mount Carmel Art Association at Albertus Magnus College on March 3-10, 1991. [2] Photos courtesy of Cheshire Historical Society. [3] Recent history compiled by Joan Shackford, May 4th, 2009. [4] Photo courtesy of John O'Keefe |