MCAL
Meetings:
Meetings are held at the Grace Drake Center every
4th Monday of the month, except during the months of December,
June, July and August. The meetings start promptly at
7:00pm.
MCAL History:
Mary Claggett never realized her dream of helping establish
an art center in Medina County, but her unceasing activity
implanted the seed in the minds of local artists.
She
had hoped to see a museum, or a cultural center that
would include music and possibly the performing arts,
built in or around Medina.
Mary
Claggett founded the Medina County Art League, a non-profit
organization in 1958. She remained as President until
1970.
The
purpose of the Art League has always been to promote
an active interest in and appreciation of the arts,
to conduct and participate in art shows and exhibitions
and to aid students of Medina County in obtaining further
education in the arts.
Members
are active in community affairs that can use the help
of the Art League members and welcome anyone asking
for its services. The Franklin Sylvester Library is
the recipient of gifts from time to time.
Years
ago the Art League helped the library establish a program
to lend art, the same way you took out a book; you could
take out a painting!
The
Art League was re-organized in 1971 and in September
a Student Aid Fund was set up as its project for the
year. A scholarship of $300.00 was awarded to a Medina
County graduate. Gale Ray who planned to pursue her
art education was the recipient.
A
party at the Wedgewood Country Club raised funds on
October 25, 1972. Members purchased tickets and Lowell
Smith demonstrated his method of watercolor painting.
A
Picket Fence show in the uptown park in 1961 foreshadowed
the annual Art In The Park of today.
Meetings
were held throughout the years in member's homes, at
the high school cafeteria, or the art room. In 1972
they moved to the Nichols Community Room. In 2001 they
moved to the newly established Drake Center for the
Arts.
Projects
of the Art League over the years have included decorating
the Children's room at Medina Community Hospital, art
shows for high school students, annual art shows for
members. Demonstrations over the years have included
various techniques of painting and crafts, jewelry,
silk screen, welding, photography and flower arranging.
Critiques were held to evaluate the members work.
The
Art League was incorporated in 1973.
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