Santa Cruz Art League
The Santa Cruz Art League is a non-profit arts organization in Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1919, it is the oldest arts organization in Santa Cruz County.
History
Origins and founding
The organization traces its roots to a group of plein air painters active in the Santa Cruz area from the 1890s, led by the painter Frank Lucien Heath. Heath and his wife, Lillian Josephine Dake established a group known as the "Jolly Daubers," who painted landscapes throughout the region. In 1919, the Jolly Daubers formally incorporated as the Santa Cruz Art League.
Exhibitions
In 1928, the League held its first Annual California Statewide Landscape Exhibition. The exhibition was originated by founding member Leonora Naylor Penniman. It has continued for more than nine decades and has featured works depicting California's foothills, mountains, seashores, and deserts.
Since 1955, the League has presented an annual High School Show, providing a professional gallery exhibition for student artists across Santa Cruz County.
Programs and operations
The Santa Cruz Art League operates two galleries that together host approximately 24 exhibitions per year, featuring work by more than 900 artists. Exhibitions include national juried shows, community exhibitions, the annual High School Show, and the California Landscape Exhibition. The League offers art classes for all skill levels. The organization's facility includes a 62-seat black box theater known as the Broadway Playhouse.
The organization is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association. It has received grant funding from the California Arts Council.
Notable associated artists
- Lillian Josephine Dake Heath (1864–1961), painter, founder of the Jolly Daubers
- Frank Lucien Heath (1857–1921), plein air painter; founder of the Jolly Daubers and first president of the League
- Margaret Rogers – Marine artist and founding member; served as vice president
- Leonora Naylor Penniman (1884–1957), founding member; originated the Annual California Statewide Landscape Exhibition
- Ed Penniman (born 1942), painter, and grandson of Leonora Penniman