Philadelphia Sketch Club

The Philadelphia Sketch Club, founded in 1860, is one of America’s oldest artists' clubs.cite journal | last= | first= | title= [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,772330,00.html?promoid=googlep Windfall] | journal=Time magazine | pages= | date=January 15, 1940, retrieved 12 December 2007]

Its mission is "to support and nurture working visual artists, the appreciation of the visual arts, visual arts education, and the historical value of the visual arts to the community." The club’s low-cost workshops and competitions are open to the public and all interested artists are invited to apply for membership. The club’s activities are sustained by gifts from members, friends and nearly 20 major foundations, corporations and historical organizations.cite web| url=http://sketchclub.org/docs/mission.html | title=PSC Mission | accessdate=2007-12-12 ]

Past members include Thomas Eakins, Joseph Pennell and N.C. Wyeth. Medal winners from the club's shows include Violet Oakley, John Folinsbee and Betty Bowes.

In 1866, the club held its first annual exhibition. The review in the "New York Times" began:

The impression made upon the visitor to the exhibition of paintings by the Philadelphia Sketch Club at the Derby Gallery, is one of disappointment rather than of pleasure, however modest may be his expectations before entering. True, there are in the collection a number of good paintings, and a few of more than passing merit.cite journal | last= | first= | title= [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B01E7D61F3EEF34BC4D51DFB766838D679FDE THE FINE ARTS.; THE FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE PHILADELPHIA SKETCH CLUB.] | journal=New York Times | pages=5 | date=January 25, 1866, retrieved 12 December 2007]

In April 2008 the club holds its 145th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings at the club's main gallery.cite web| url=http://sketchclub.org/exhibitions/145thSmallOilsShowProspectus08.pdf | title=145th Annual Exhibition of Small Oil Paintings Prospectus | accessdate=2008-02-04 ]

Prominent members

* Reginald E. Beauchamp

External links

* [http://sketchclub.org Official site]

References