The Saranac Lake Art League was formed in 1933. Early members included John Smith, Mrs. Fred Smith, Mrs. Les Carr, and artists, Anthony DiBona, Amy Jones, Harry Brown and Ray Ridabock.
It held annual exhibits for several years, that initially featured the work of local artists. In time, nationally known artists contributed their works, including George Grosz, William Cropper, Alexander James, George Saddle and John Taylor Arms. But the cost of insurance on the exhibits and other economic issues made, combined with the departure of a number of people from the Village led to the end of the exhibits and a loss of membership in the league. It slowly faded away, especially following the death of Anthony di Bona in 1950.
Finally in 1953, the League's remaining funds, $859, were turned over to the Saranac Lake Free Library as a fund for the annual purchase of art books.
The list of works below is from a brochure describing "An Exhibition of Water Colors, Oils and Black & Whites by members of the Saranac Lake Art League and the Saranac Lake Study and Craft Guild." It was held November 9-21, but the year was not given.
WATER COLORS | ||
TITLE | ARTIST | PRICE |
1. Skiers | Harry Brown | $10.00 |
2. Skiers | Harry Brown | 10.00 |
3. Kiwassa Lake | Neilson Knox | 10.00 |
4. Wolfe Pond | Neilson Knox | 5.00 |
5. Her Bovine Majesty | Amy Jones | 40.00 |
6. Clearing | Bertha DeY. Silver | 18.00 |
7. Stevenson Memorial Cottage | Harry Brown | 30.00 |
8. Edge of The Town | Harry Brown | 25.00 |
9. First Furrows | Amy Jones | 40.00 |
10. Saranac River and Mt. Baker | Neilson Knox | 9.00 |
11. Old Houses | Neilson Knox | 7.50 |
12. Birches and Snow | Harry Brown | 10.00 |
13. Building a Mine Sweeper at Essex | Neilson Knox | 7.50 |
30. Norman's Farm | Grace Frederiksen | 10.00 |
31. Late Afternoon | Mary Larom | 35.00 |
32. Even The Least of These | Grace Frederiksen | 10.00 |
33. Autumn | Grace Frederiksen | 10.00 |
35. Barnyard | William G. Distin | 75.00 |
38. Passing Storm | William G. Distin | 75.00 |
39. Trees | William G. Distin | |
40. Blue and Gold | Bertha DeY. Silver | 15.00 |
41. Lower Saranac Lake from Old Algonquin | Neilson Knox | 10.00 |
42. Mt. Kenzie Range from Smith Road | Neilson Knox | 5.00 |
43. Landscape | William G. Distin | |
46. Sarasota Bay | Bertha DeY. Silver | 25.00 |
OILS | ||
14. Saranac River | Ray Ridabock | 10.00 |
15. Nude | Pauline Newton | |
16. Cherokee | Leona Berger | |
17. Sunshine & Shadow | Bertha DeY. Silver | 20.00 |
18. Unfinished Portrait | Leona Berger | |
19. Pinks | Grace Frederiksen | 35.00 |
20. A Fanner and His Cats | Amy Jones | 50.00 |
21. Fortunes Horses | Amy Jones | 75.00 |
22. Portrait | Mary Larom | 100.00 |
23. Blue Ridge | Bertha DeY. Silver | 25.00 |
24. Still Life | Ray Ridabock | 10.00 |
25. Over The River | Helen Clegg | 10.00 |
26. Winter Afternoon | Harry Brown | 40.00 |
27. After the Rain | Helen Clegg | 10.00 |
28. Gray Day | Helen Clegg | 5.00 |
29. Saranac Valley | Harry Brown | 30.00 |
34. Happy | Hilda Finn | |
36. Autumn Afternoon | Helen Clegg | 5.00 |
37. Before Dawn | Helen Clegg | 5.00 |
BLACK and WHITES | ||
44. Boathouse | Edward Worthington | |
45. Black and Whites | William G. Distin |
See also:
Source:
- Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November 17, 1953