LGAA History

"LGAA IN THE BEGINNING"

In the fall of 1918 Bill Cunningham (1917-2003) newly hired Los Gatos Art Teacher, and San Jose State Professor of Philosophy, Dr Arturo Falico were planting the seeds for the Los Gatos Art Association. Both were teaching Art, adult education, at Los Gatos High School. Their discussion of a need for a visual arts group led to three organizational meetings chaired by Bill Cunningham. Dr. Falico would become our first President with Bill Cunningham our first Vice President.

In the spring of 1949 Florence Blakeslee, first Palette Editor, organized the Allied Arts Exhibit and out of this exhibit came many of the first 25 charter members of the Los Gatos Art Association. Fifteen women and ten men put in place many of the nuts and bolts that still exist in our club today. They include our By-Laws, The Palette, our slate of officers, incorporation and our History Book. In addition they instituted a spring and fall art show. They reached out to the young people with art workshops and opportunities to show their work.

By 1954 we had 200 members in the Los Gatos Art Association and were a moving force in Los Gatos, a community of 25,000. Because of our standing in the community we have 20 years of newspaper articles that chronicle our beginnings. We will begin displaying our early history, in our new display case, at our monthly meetings beginning in November 2006.

More about Bill Cunningham...
Bill Cunningham's Obituary

"FROM THE LOS GATOS ART ASSOCIATIONS ARCHIVES"

April 22, 1954
The Los Gatos Daily Times reported the opening of The Los Gatos Art Associations first art gallery. The gallery opened Sunday April 18th and was attended by approximaitely 100 visitors. 40 artist displayed their oils and watercolors and the works of 5 sculptors were displayed. The gallery was the former Austin Corners Schoohouse and later a grocery store. It was located on Austrian Way and Lancaster Road, in back of the County Firehouse, on Los Gatos/Saratoga Road. The gallery was the sight of art classes and lectures and was open to the public each Sunday from 1-4p.m. Artist were welcome Monday Through Friday when classes and lectures were not being conducted.

January 10, 1979
The Mayor Of Los Gatos, Mardi Gualtieri, put out a request for some rotating paintings to hang in her office as a way of supporting local artist and showcasing the Town of Los Gatos. Maree Lubran of Saratoga, and LGAA Member, answered the call and was featured in the Saratoga News, along with the Mayor displaying a fine painting of the Forbes Mill.

All the information on this page has been complied by our past LGAA History Chair, Steve Soult