History of the Madison Art Guild

The Early Days

Although the founding date of the Madison Art Guild is 1914, one could claim that its beginnings started in 1907 when artist, James Reeves Stuart, came to Madison to teach small art classes at the University of Wisconsin, despite the situation that the UW did not yet have a formal Art Department. Mr. Stuart rented a studio on the Capitol Square to teach classes to young artists seeking further training and was influential in starting the Studio Club in Madison. While most of his students were young ladies, a few men, mostly architects, joined his classes.

It seemed that there was a surge of interest in art after the Civil War, but the Midwest lagged in instruction. A New York artist, Miss Esther Stone, also opened a studio on the Square and taught the latest methods and ideas. She specialized in out-of-door work, today known as plein air, rather than studio painting.

With growing interest in art, the time was right for the establishment of an active art organization. Five years before women had voting privileges, a small group of women formed the non-profit organization, the Madison Art Guild, in 1914. There were no thoughts of selling their works of art; women were not considered “serious contenders in the art world.”

The original group grew to be about 25 women, who were active members, while associate members numbered the same. These associate members were interested in art and wished to encourage the Guild. While they didn’t consider themselves artists, they were allowed to join sketch classes and talks in order to develop their skill. Honorary members were also elected by the Guild members to support the organization in various ways.

There was a definite social element to MAG in its first fifty years. Many names listed in meeting minutes and photos are those of prominent Madison families. Teas and luncheons were celebratory functions of the group, when ladies appeared in hats, white gloves, heels and proper suits or fancy dresses. Society writers Louise Marston and Elizabeth Gould of the Wisconsin State Journal and the Capital Times frequently reported on the MAG-sponsored events.

Typical monthly meeting, circa 1958

Exhibition Venues

For many years the annual highlight of MAG has been the Salon, a juried exhibit in which each member was expected to enter one piece of artwork. Originally held at Edgewood College, the Salon moved to the University Hospital and Clinics new building on Highland Avenue in the 1970s and still continues there today, where the salon is on display in the Skylight Lounge and Main Corridor during June and July.

In 1929, Guild members formed a traveling show of works, which toured the state through Rotary Club connections. Such practices were curtailed during the WWII years, but later venues for shows by individual artists and small groups within MAG were plentiful. Parker’s Jewelry Store, Manchester’s Tea Room, Baron’s, doctors’ offices at 20 South Park, Ward-Brodt Music Store, Hills Farms Department of Transportation, Jackson Clinic and later Olbrich Gardens provided space for exhibitions.

Starting in Fall 1986, annual shows were held at the downtown Madison Public Library and the Civic Center (predecessor of the Overture Center) at the Crossroads Gallery.

MAG Studios

Before the WWII years when women were predominantly homemakers, the members found a two-room studio at the corner of Pinckney and Main Streets for $12.50/month.

In 1963, during the outward movement of families from the downtown area (thus reducing the school-age population), the original Lincoln School, now an apartment building on Lake Mendota, was closed and turned over to the Parks Department. Mayor Reynolds and the City Council arranged for the building to be governed by the Art Committee, and MAG was able to rent the space for $1/year. Known as the Madison Art Center, the Guild invited public participation in its life classes, which involved weaving and stitchery. The second floor was studio space, while the first floor was the exhibition area. Madison Area Technical College gave MAG twelve looms to be used fro instruction.

Life was good until the Civic Center was built on State Street in 1980. Details are sketchy, but hopes were high that MAG members would have studio space in the new Civic Center. That didn’t happen, because Tom Garver, the Madison Art Center Director, tended to focus on art that was not local. The following is a quote from an article which appeared in a 1987 MAG newsletter:

The departure of Tom Garver from the Madison Art Center presents the opportunity to open the doors of this city-supported institution to use by the local art community. Garver’s policies seemed directed to showcasing the out-of-town art to the virtual total exclusion of the Madison art groups who had helped launch the art center concept…and continue through their taxes..to pay for its operation. 

Let’s hope that the search committee can find a director who will give the “locals” fair representation.

Annual Picnic at the home of Carrel Pray

Until 2009, an annual picnic was held at members’ homes. Carrel Pray provided rural space for painting, sketching and conversation for many years at her Verona home, while Lucy Shirek hosted the group a couple years at her home in Black Earth.

Centennial Celebration

MAG celebrated its centennial year in 2014. The kickoff event, actually leading into the centennial year, was held from September to December at the Promega Corporation. The exhibit, called “Celebrating 100 Years of Community Art,” showcased the best of artworks that our artists could produce, since it was such an honor to display our work in this beautiful, creative setting.

During 2014, exhibits were also held at the Coffee Gallerie, both the January Showcase and Annual Salon at University Hospital and Clinics, Art Fair on the Square and the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend. Our artists had a busy year producing creative works for the various opportunities and venues.

Charitable Deeds

Throughout its history, MAG has given money for scholarships to art students at MATC. Initially the financial support was awarded to returning adult students, because there are fewer scholarships for this age group. More recently, the awards have been given to any MATC student whose resources are limited but who also shows unique talent.

In the mid-1960’s the Guild operated an Artmobile at University Hospital. Patients could choose artwork that they liked from the cart and have it installed in their rooms for the duration of their hospital stay.