Willacy County Art League
Willacy County Art League serves the South Texas communities in the Rio Grande Valley. Our very own local artist fills our art gallery with beautiful paintings. Each of their paintings are on display and many are for sale.
Our History
In 1947, a group of eight women gathered for the purpose of organizing the active artists in Willacy County, deciding upon the name "Willacy County Artist Guild" for the group. Officers were elected and dues were set at $1.00 per year. Mrs. George Campbell was elected president of the newly established organization. The objects and purposes of the Guild were to be threefold: studying and cultivating an appreciation for art, encouraging the development of art among county artists and the community, and sponsoring two or more art exhibits annually. The group's motto: "Life is too short to be little" was chosen; the Lantana was chosen the Guild's flower; and green and yellow were selected its colors.
In conjunction with the annual Willacy County Onion Fiesta that year, the Guild's first exhibit was planned and $85 was raised for expenses and prizes. Soon after, the Guild became a member of the Texas Fine Arts Association. In 1955, the group changed its name to the present name, The Willacy County Art League, and it soon grew to 26 members. And exhibits, garden club shows, visits to other area art group meetings, programs by area artists, and art workshops were enjoyed the membership. Art League members continued to enter, earn ribbons, and often won various art shows. The league joined the Federated Women's Club in 1956, and Mrs. Simpson began art workshops. She would become a regular workshop leader in future years.
The annual Sidewalk Art Show was first held during the League's 1965-66 year on the Willacy County Courthouse lawn, the same year dues were raised to $3. Juried art shows and larger exhibits were attended by League members who continues to win honors and bring recognition to Raymondville and Willacy County. In 1967, the Art League was invited to take part in restoring the old Raymondville High School Building which would become the Raymondville Historical Center. Two rooms were offered to the Art League to renovate, clean and furnish. One room was to become the studio and the other a gallery. At that time dues were raised to $5.20, being $5 for the Art League and.20 for Federation dues. Full restoration would take three years. Local artists donated paintings (to be sold for $10 each) to fund air conditioning for the newly renovated rooms.
The artists began participating in an "Artist of the Month" exhibit at local banks. Nationally known artists as well as notable Texas artists were invited to Raymondville to conduct demonstrations and workshops throughout the early years. Membership grew to over 30 members in the mid 1970's and 1980's.
Today the Willacy County Art League meets in the Creative Arts Center, built in the 1990 's adjacent to the Historical Center, Monthly meetings, workshops and demonstrations continue. Although many early Art League members are now gone, the League continues to carry out the mission of its earliest members.
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