The Greenwich Art Society has served the Greenwich community since its founding in 1912. Its mission is to promote education and interest in the visual arts by means of classes, exhibitions, demonstrations, lectures, museum trips, and scholarships.
Known originally as the Greenwich Society of Artists, this organization's founders and poneer members included many distingues artists and arts patrons. Its first president was Edward Clark Potter, sculptor of the lions at the New York Public Library. Early members were Leonard Ochtman, Elmer MacRae, George Wharton Edwards, J. Alden Twachtman (son of John Henry Twachtman) and others associated with the Cos Cob Art Colony centered at the Bush-Holley House. Several of the Cos Cob artists also participated in the organizing of the seminal 1913 Armory Show held in New York City and at least one of its planning meetings was held at the Bush-Holley House in July, 1912.
The Society's early exhibitions were featured at the Bruce Museum. Since 1928, exhibitions have been mounted at the Greenwich Library, the Greenwich Historical Society, the Garden Education Center, the Senior/Arts Center Gallery, and other local venues. While the Society's presence was established in the Greenwich community early on, it took a while to secure a residence. Between 1956 and 1976, the Society changed locations several times, and eventually settled into its current space in the former Town Hall on Greenwich Avenue in 1981. This Senior/Arts Center includes a teaching studio and office on the third floor, and a gallery for changing exhibitions of works by members, faculty, and other selected artists on the second.
As the Greenwich Society of Artists, the organization was structured into two distinct groups of active anda ssociate members, and Greenwich residency was required. Active members worked as professional artists and were elected to membership by vote at Society meetings; privileges included voting, holding office, and attending all meetings. Associated members, made up of art students, art patrons, and those interested in the arts could join by application to the Secretory, but were excluded from the above privileges. In 1958 the Society dissolved these membership distinctions and assumed its present name, the Greenwich Art Society. At this time it was incorporated as a tax exempt organization, and initiated year-round classes with professional teachers for both adults and children.
The Society has published two booklets profiling its history: The History of the Greenwich Art Society in 1976 and The Greenwich Art Society: A Chronicle of the Years 1977-1987 in celebration of its 75th anniversary in 1987. Additional Greenwich Art Society resources include profiles of prominent members compiled in 1970, a list of local repositories of Greenwich Art Society related material, and a list of other art organizations, galleries, and exhibit holders in the Greenwich area.
