Minute samples handwritten by Secretary Dunn from the first meeting of the PC

CLUB BEGINNINGS

Two early Los Angeles artists groups, the Painters' Club and the California Art Club, have their histories intricately linked to one another. The Painters' Club, organized in 1906 to bring artists together and present artwork for sale through exhibitions, allowed only men working in oil, watercolor or pastel to join. When the Painters' Club disbanded a few years later, many of its previous members reorganized themselves, and the California Art Club was formed in 1909. Its membership guidelines were widened to include women and sculptors, and the new club quickly grew in size and stature.

The Painters' Club of Los Angeles
On the evening of March 10, 1906 a number of painters who lived in the Los Angeles area met together for the purpose of forming a club. Soon afterward, on the evening of March 17, eleven of these same men met at the studio of William Swift Daniell (1865-1933). After some discussion, it was unanimously decided to form a club then and there, and the Painters' Club of Los Angeles was born. The dues for Active Membership were $2.00 per year (Sustaining or Associate Members paid $10/year). Their goal was "to meet in the spirit of comradeship and good temper for mutual criticism and suggestion on one another's recent work." Albert Clinton ("Pops") Conner was elected President of the club; and Antony Anderson [the first art critic for the Los Angeles Times and also a founding member of the Painters' Club] was chosen to be the first Secretary and Treasurer. All of the artists were men, as no women were allowed.

"A number of the painters of Los Angeles have formed an association for mutual betterment in their craft and for good-fellowship. They will meet every fortnight and their meetings are to be the occasion of discussions on every topic that may be of practical interest to the painter in oils or watercolors. Each member of the club will bring a sketch, study or picture to every meeting, and all the other members will play the parts of critics..."

There can be no doubt that such an organization as the Painters' Club has long been needed in our midst. Many artists of the town are utter strangers to one another, though they may have sent pictures to the same exhibitions and lived across the street from each other for years...The Painters' Club intends to change all this...In fact, smiles have already been exchanged, and hands have even been heartily shaken, and the Painters' Club has been formed...Some day the Painters' Club may hold an exhibition of its own...The present membership of the Painters' Club is as follows: Hanson Puthuff, Carl Oscar Borg, David Dunn, William Swift Daniell, Frank Conner, A.C. Conner, George T. Winterburn, Frank Elwin Evans, Antony E. Anderson, Frank R. Liddell and William H. Cole. The president of the club is A.C. (Albert Clinton) Conner.
(Los Angeles Times, March 25, 1906; 6,2,5)

November 25, 1906: "The Painters' Club has taken possession of its new permanent gallery at Ford Smith & Little's, No. 313 Broadway. About thirty pictures are already hung. A complete list of new ones will be shown every month. There will be no admission fee, and the Los Angeles public is always cordially welcomed."
(L.A. Times, Nov. 25, 1906 6,2,5)

December 1-31, 1906: First small exhibition held (artists & artwork unknown) at the new club gallery at Ford Smith & Little's; the guestbook there showed that "hundreds and hundreds" of visitors came.
(L.A. Times, Jan. 6, 1907 6,2 3-5)

January 1-31, 1907: The second small exhibition (listed below) was composed of 20 oils and 7 watercolors by 14 Painters' Club members. (New exhibitions were now hung every month.) The sign painted for exhibitions of the Painters' Club was done by Val Costello.
(L.A. Times, Jan. 6, 1907 6,2 3-5)

February 1-28, 1907: The third small exhibition (listed below) was composed of 29 paintings in oils, watercolors and pastels. (L.A. Times, February 17, 1907)

April 1-30, 1907: Fifth small exhibition (listed below) at Ford Smith & Little's, April 1-30, 1907; comprised of 20 pictures in all. (L.A. Times, April 7, 1907 6,2,3-4)

June 15, 1907: "The Painters' Club will give a garden party to its members and friends on Saturday of this week. They will also hold an impromptu exhibition at the studio of William Swift Daniell, No. 2620 Manitou Avenue." (L.A. Times, June 9, 1907)

"An interesting feature of the very enjoyable garden party which the Painters' Club gave to their friends on Saturday evening of last week, at the home of William Swift Daniell, one of the members of the club, was the impromptu exhibition of pictures held in Mr. Daniell's studio. Good new things were shown by Charles Ward, Harry Bailey, William Swift Daniell, J. W. Theiss, Charles Selbie, Norman St. Clair, A. E. Kilpatrick, Hanson Puthuff and others, while a number of familiar canvases by the different members were also hung. The Painters' Club will not meet again till the last week of September or the first week of October."
(L.A. Times, June 23, 1907)

November 20, 1907: "The Painters' Club held its first meeting of the year on last Wednesday evening at the home studio of Albert Clinton Conner, No. 242 South Griffin Avenue. The club's plans for the coming year were discussed." (L.A. Times, November 24, 1907)

November 26, 1907: Albert Clinton Conner re-elected President, and David Dunn elected Secretary and Treasurer. Antony Anderson was then unanimously voted an Honorary Member. (PC Minutes)

"The Painters' Club held a meeting at the studio of Martin J. Jackson, in the Copp building, on last Tuesday evening. On Wednesday afternoon all the members of the club started out together for a few hours of sketching in the neighborhood of Sycamore Grove. No doubt they have some very good "bits" to show for their afternoon's pleasant outing." (L.A. Times, Dec. 1, 1907)

December 3, 1907: "The Painters' Club held an enthusiastic meeting, the first of the year [sic], at the studio of Martin J. Jackson, on Tuesday evening of last week. Albert Clinton Conner was reelected president, and David Dunn was made secretary and treasurer. Three new applicants for [illegible] presented their names, which will be voted on at the next meeting of the club."
(L.A. Times, Dec. 8, 1907)

January 7, 1908: "The ever busy Painters' Club held a meeting at their rooms in the Copp building on last Tuesday evening. Each member of the club brought a new painting or sketch for discussion and criticism." (L.A. Times, January 12, 1908)

February 4, 1908: "The Painters' Club will meet next Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock at No. 434 Copp building. Every member is expected to bring a new sketch for criticism."
(L.A. Times, Feb. 2, 1908, VI2)

March 3, 1908: The Painters' Club held a celebration smoker at the Majestic Hotel in honor of their Second Anniversary. (PC Minutes)

"The Painters' Club will celebrate its second anniversary by a smoker on next Tuesday evening, to be given in the ballroom of the Majestic Hotel, Hope and First Streets. The smoker will be followed by a luncheon."
(L.A. Times, March 1, 1908, VI2)

"The Painters' Club had an enjoyable reunion last Tuesday at the Hotel Majestic. It began with a ... [illegible] ... and ended with a luncheon of ... [illegible] ... and cakes, punch and ... [illegible] ... members told a ... [illegible] ...rose to express ...[illegible] ... and Mr. Holmes, p... [illegible] ...tel, gave a most dra... [illegible] ..."Eugene Aram's D... [illegible] ...sion was the second ... [illegible] ... of the club's existence."
(L.A. Times, March 8, 1908, VI2)

April 7, 1908: "On the evening of Tuesday next the Painters' Club will meet at the studio of Martin Jackson, No. 434 Copp building at 8 o'clock. All members are requested to bring new sketches for criticism by the club." (L.A. Times, April 5, 1908, VI2)

May 5, 1908: Rev. John William Theiss voted (first) Vice President. (PC Minutes)

"The Painters' Club will meet Tuesday evening, May 5, at 8 o'clock at No. 434 Copp building. All members are requested to bring their sketches for the usual criticism."
(L.A. Times, May 3, 1908, VI2)

"At the meeting of the Painters' Club last week, J. W. Theiss was elected vice-president. John Smith, a painter and illustrator, was made a member of the club. It was also decided that during the first two weeks of October the club would hold an exhibition of paintings and sketches in the Blanchard gallery, every member to contribute five paintings and a number of sketches. As the membership is now twenty, the exhibition promises to be a full and most interesting one."
(L.A. Times, May 10, 1908, VI2)

June 16, 1908: "The Painters' Club gave their president, Albert Clinton Conner, a pleasant "surprise" last Tuesday evening. Little talks on art, by different members of the club, were part of the cheerful convivialities of the occassion." (L.A. Times, June 21, 1908, III4)

July 21, 1908: "The Painters' Club, that thriving organization of earnest workers, held a special meeting on last Tuesday evening at the Art Students' League, for the purpose of discussing their forthcoming exhibition, which will be held at the Blanchard gallery in September or October. J. M. Black and Burton Boundey, both of Monrovia, were made members of the club at the last meeting."
(L.A. Times, July 26, 1908, III2)

August 4, 1908: "At the meeting of the Painters' Club last Tuesday evening William Wendt was made a member. In two weeks the club will have another special meeting for the consideration of the coming exhibition, which will be held early in October." (L.A. Times, August 9, 1908, III2)

August 18, 1908: "At the last meeting of the Painters' Club, held on Tuesday at the Art Students' League, the various members submitted original posters, which are to be used as announcements of the coming exhibition, which is to be held early in October. The posters are to be distributed all over the city."
(L.A. Times, August 23, 1908, III2)

August 24, 1908: "The members of the Painters' Club were entertained last Monday evening by William Wendt and Julia Bracken Wendt, at the Sichel Street studios of these artists. New pictures by Mr. Wendt and recent bits of modeling by Mrs. Wendt were the attractions of the evening, though the members of the club were also regaled on a delightful Bohemian lunch. The club's regular meeting will be held next Tuesday evening at the Art Students' League."
(L.A. Times, August 30, 1908, III2)

September 1, 1908: "The members of the Painters' Club, who met last Tuesday at the Art Students' League, have prepared some very strong and original posters for their coming exhibition, which will open in Blanchard Hall on October 8 and continue for two weeks. The event will be one of the notable ones of the year." (L.A. Times, September 6, 1908, III2)

September 20, 1908: "The exhibition of the Painters' Club will open at Blanchard Hall on the evening of October 7, with a private view by special invitation. On this occasion refreshments will be served to the guests by a reception committee of ladies. The following hanging committee was elected last Tuesday evening: William Wendt, C. E. Rogers, Frank R. Liddell, Martin J. Jackson. Press Committee: David Dunn, Martin J. Jackson. Striking posters, designed and painted by the members of the club, are now being shown in shop windows all over Los Angeles."
(L.A. Times, September 20, 1908, III2)

September 27, 1908: "The first annual exhibition of the Painters' Club will open at the Blanchard Hall gallery on the evening of October 7, with a reception to friends of the artists. The public will be admitted on the following forenoon, free of charge, and for the two weeks that follow this date. A strong exhibition is looked for, as the club is composed of earnest workers."
(L.A. Times, September 27, 1908, III2)

October 4 , 1908: "The Painters' Club, whose exhibition will open next Wednesday evening, will hold an auction of the posters made for the exhibition, at the conclusion of the two weeks of the show. The funds will be used for a 'Bohemian supper.' "
(L.A. Times, October 4, 1908, III2)

October 7 - 22, 1908: The First Annual Exhibition was held at the Blanchard Art Gallery with a reception on the evening of October 7. Eighty-eight paintings were shown. Some pieces were sold; a charcoal sketch by Burton Boundey and two of Harry Bailey's pictures."
(Full coverage of the exhibit - L.A. Times, October 11, 1908, III2, and October 18, 1908, III2)

October 25, 1908: "The twenty-five posters which the Painters' Club has been showing in different parts of the city, were sold at auction from the gallery at Blanchard Hall last Wednesday."
(L.A. Times, October 25, 1908, III2)

November 3, 1908: "The Painters' Club will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday evening at 3 o'clock at the Art Students' League." (L.A. Times, November 1, 1908, III2)

December 1, 1908: Conner re-elected President, and Theiss re-elected Vice President. Dunn resigned as Secretary/Treasurer, and Martin Jackson was elected to Dunn's post. (PC Minutes)

December 8, 1908: "The Painters' Club held an election last Tuesday evening: Albert Clinton Conner still holds the presidency by a unanimous vote; Martin J. Jackson was made secretary and treasurer. Last night the club tendered Mr. and Mrs. William Wendt a surprise party at the Sichel-street studio of the wedded artists." (L.A. Times, December 13,1908, III2)

February 2, 1909: "At the last meeting of the Painters' Club, F. C. Coburn was elected an active member. C. A Rogers and Martin J. Jackson were appointed a committee to find a suitable gallery for the spring exhibition of the club, to be held in May. The Ruskin Art Club sent complimentary membership cards to the members of the Painters. The next meeting, to be held on the evening of March 2, will be at the Majestic Hotel."
(L.A. Times, February 14, 1909, III2)

March 2, 1909: "At last Tuesday's meeting of the Painters' Club, which was held at Hotel Majestic, it was decided that a special exhibition of the club's recent work will be held on March 22, for a week or longer, in the exhibition basement of the Hamburger department building, in conjunction with a spring showing held by Hamburger Bros. At least one hundred pictures in oils and water colors will be exhibited by the club."
(L.A. Times, March 7, 1909, III2)

March 14, 1909: "Beginning March 22, the Painters' Club will hold their spring exhibition in the lower exhibition rooms of the Hamburger department store. About 100 pictures will be shown, with every member of the club represented." (L.A. Times, March 14, 1909, III2)

March 21, 1909: "The second exhibition of the work of the Painters' Club, which opens tomorrow at Hamburger's, will without a doubt create a great deal of interest. A well lighted corner of the lower floor of the Hamburger building has been assigned to the club, each of whose members will be allowed space for at least five pictures." (L.A. Times, March 21, 1909, III2)

March 28, 1909: "The exhibition of paintings by the Painters' Club did not open last Monday at Hamburger's, as announced. The exact date has not yet been decided upon, nor the place where the show will be held. On April 6 the club will hold a meeting for the purpose of voting on both those questions."
(L.A. Times, March 28, 1909)

April 6, 1909: "The Painters' Club will meet on Tuesday evening at Hotel Majestic for the purpose of discussing the exhibition which the club intends to holds this spring."
(L.A. Times, April 4, 1909, III2)

May 30, 1909: "The Painters' Club has decided to postpone its second annual exhibition till fall; many of its members not feeling quite ready for a proper representation this spring."
(L.A. Times, May 30, 1909, III2)

May 1909: A spring exhibition was to be held at The Blanchard Art Gallery, then the location was changed to the Hamburger Store. The exhibition was later cancelled. (PC Minutes)

June 15, 1909: "The members of the Painters' Club will meet at the studio of Hanson Puthuff, No. 401 West Avenue 53, next Tuesday evening for "a general good time." A "Dutch lunch" will be served."
(L.A. Times, June 13, 1909, III15)

September 14, 1909: "The annual exhibition of the Painters' Club will be held at the Blanchard gallery during the first two weeks of November. At last Tuesday's meeting the club discussed the advisability of securing a permanent clubhouse. Designs for the cover of the catalogue of the coming exhibition will be submitted at the October meeting, and the design adjudged the best will be chosen. A certificate of merit will be made out to the painter of the best picture shown in the next exhibition." (L.A. Times, September 19, 1909, III15)

October 19, 1909: "The Painters' Club will hold a special meeting at the studio of Charles Rogers on the evening of Tuesday, October 19." (L.A. Times, April 17, 1909, III10)

"At the last meeting of the Painters' Club, held at the studio of Charles Rogers, Walker building, last Tuesday evening, thirty posters for the coming fall exhibit of the club were shown. These beautiful posters will be distributed over the city. After the exhibition, which will be held during the first two weeks in November, the posters will be sold at auction at the Blanchard gallery."
(L.A. Times, October 24, 1909, III10)

October 31, 1909: "The second annual exhibition of paintings by the Los Angeles Painters' Club opens in the Blanchard gallery tomorrow evening with a private view from 8 to 10. The gallery will open to the general public on Tuesday, November 2, till the thirteenth of the month. The posters for the exhibition, which are now being shown in various parts of the city will not be sold at auction as previously reported, but will remain the property of their respective designers." (L.A. Times, October 31, 1909, III4)

November 1-13, 1909: The Second Annual Exhibition was held at the Blanchard Art Gallery, opening with a private viewing on November 1 from 8:00-10:00 p.m., and then to the public on Tuesday, November 2. It included "almost 100 pictures in oil and watercolor, the work of 20 painters." The work included was not juried, as members could select whatever they wanted to exhibit.
(Full coverage of the exhibit: L.A. Times, Nov. 7, 1909, III2 and Nov. 14, 1909, III15)
[An alphabetized catalogue (whereabouts unknown) was also printed.]

[Another exhibition followed just after the Second Annual Exhibition of the Painters' Club, also at the Blanchard Hall. Referred to only as "...the second annual exhibition of works by representational oil painters of Southern California...," it ran from Nov. 16 to Dec. 4, 1909 and "...only 15 painters in oils have contributed to this exhibition...thirty-six canvases are hung on the walls..."
Six of the participants in this other exhibit were also members of the Painters' Club, though only 4 of them contributed work to both exhibits (Bischoff, Borg, Puthuff and Wendt). (L.A. Times, Nov. 21, 1909, III15)

Also, at least one woman, Helma Heynsen Jahn, was a part of this other exhibit. See A. Anderson's comment on women artists in his Art and Artists cloumn, Dec. 12, 1909, III17, and the Open Letter responses to it printed Jan. and Feb. 1910 by J.B. Wendt and L. Pinkham for more on the demise of the Painters' Club. -Ed.]

December 12, 1909: The Painters' Club is disbanded. In the next paragraph of the same article, Antony Anderson reveals that there will be a successor: "to be called the California Art Club."
(L.A. Times Dec. 12, 1909, III17)

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