1934 May 22, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Meeting called to form an Art Association.
1934 May 25, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Plans are made for the Pio Pico Mansion to become the home of the Whittier Art Gallery. Mrs. Myron Haig
βmotorsβ with others to Laguna to seek advice from William Griffith.Β The Whittier Art Association opens a temporary gallery on Philadelphia Street in Whittier.
1934 May 29, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
William A. Griffith, three times president of the Laguna Beach Art Association, exhibits his paintings at the
Whittier Art Gallery. Ruth Peabody exhibits her statuary.
1934 June 1, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Laguna Beach Art Association past president, William Griffith, spoke at the galleryβs open meeting. βHe
encouraged the members of the Whittier [Art] Association in the belief that Whittier too, can be made an
important art and cultural centerβ.Β He went on to say, βI wish you all the luck in the world, and Laguna will do everything possible to help youβ.
1934 June 18, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Laguna artists William Brandriff and Ida May Sharpless exhibit at the Whittier Art Gallery.
1934 July 27, ππ€πͺπ©π πΎπ€ππ¨π© πππ¬π¨:
The South Coast News, announces that Whittier has organized an Art Association βfor the whole surrounding community between Los Angeles and Laguna Beachβ. The Association is sponsoring art classes in water color landscape by Mabel George Haig; life drawing by Eleanor Colburn, sculpture by Ruth Peabody, and pottery by
pupils of Glen Lukens.
1934 July 30, California Water Color Society mailing note:
When the California Water Color Society exhibit closed, the paintings were sent to the Los Angeles County
Historical and Art Museum.
1934 October 2, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Karl Yens exhibits paintings and prints. Water colors by Tom Lewis, sculpture by Sherry Peticolas, and wood
carving by Ruth Bennett. A competitive show for Whittier Art Association members will open November 15.
1934 October 16, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Conrad Buff exhibit features paintings and lithographs. He has painted the mountains of the Swiss Alps, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and California.Β Β Buff also painted a mural over the mantel in Whittierβs William Penn Hotel. Other exhibiting artists are Worden Bethell, Jason Herron, and Ruth Bennett.
1934 October 19, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Mr. R. F. James, illustrator from New York City, will speak on art from the standpoint of illustration. Exhibited are paintings and lithographs by Conrad Buff, paintings, pastels and water colors by Worden Bethell, sculpture by
Jason Herron, and carved wood panels by Ruth Bennett.
1934 December 14, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Otis Art Institute instructors, Mr. Roscoe Shrader and Edouard Vysekal, will speak at the Whittier Art Gallery.
Mr. Roscoe Shrader is president of the California Art Club, and Edouard Vysekal is a noted Southern California painter.
1934 December 18, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Mr. Roscoe Shrader, Dean of Otis Art Institute, speaks on the purpose and value of art. The artwork of
Miss. Dowiatt is exhibited. Popular prizes for the Whittier Art Association memberβs competitive exhibit are awarded.
1938, Broadway School Postcard:
The Whittier Art Association lost their temporary Whittier Art Gallery space on Philadelphia Street. After several months, they open a new βGallery at Pickering and Broadwayβ in Whittierβs old Broadway School building.
The Broadway School was demolished six months after the WAA opened their gallery there. The WAA provided exhibits at the Whittier Womanβs Club House until they constructed their own galley.
1938 December 5, ππππ©π©πππ§ πππ¬π¨:
Work on the first unit of the Whittier Art Gallery will commence tomorrow. Donor Fred L. Pease, architect
William Harrison, and contractor Raymond Hunnicutt will attend. The Art Association secured a site on Painter Avenue which is one of the most attractive streets and one of the main entrances of the city.
Looking Back at the 1930’s
The Whittier Art Association formed in 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression. The Art Association opened its first Whittier Art Gallery in the middle of Whittier’s business district, featuring exhibits by professional artists from Los Angeles to the art colony in Laguna Beach.