The Guild had varying acceptance
policies. During the early 1950's only the nomination of an artist
by two board members was sufficient for acceptance without submitting
work. Later in the 1960's the credentials committee could create
honorary members without submission requirements and invite artists
to join with and without submitting work for review. But for the
most part during this era the Guild followed strict guidelines as
expressed in the letters and articles reprinted in this document.
On July 23, 1965, Warren Beach
wrote this letter to Mr. Frederic Whitaker:
"Eleanor and I were pleased
to meet you and Mrs. Whitaker at the Parkers the other day and to
learn of your moving here. I was sorry to have missed you on your
visit to our Gallery with our President, H. Reed-Barrett, and hope
to be in on your next visit.
I understand that you may
be interested in becoming a member of the Fine Art Society's professional
artists' committee, the San Diego Art Guild. While I can't speak
for them, I feel most likely that they will wish to do what is rarely
done, to invite you to join without the usual business of asking
you to submit examples of your work. I certainly will be pleased
to pass on your interest to the Art Guild's Board of Directors.
At the moment as you will
have realized from your visit, much of our exhibition space is cut
off due to construction of our new west wing.
We now anticipate opening
this wing to the public about mid-January of 1966 and are presently
looking forward with pleasure for the first time in some years to
having pretty regular one or two man shows. Within the next few
months I hope to talk with you about scheduling such an exhibition
of your work or possibly a joint husband and wife show would be
of wide public appeal as well as artistic excellence in this fast
disappearing medium of true watercolor."
Warren then penned this letter
to James Sheets, Guild president:
"Hope this won't put
you on the spot. Mr. Whitaker has newly moved to La Jolla and is
one of our few remaining topnotch watercolor realists. At his age
he comes by this naturally of course.
I believe it would be an honor
for the Guild to have him as a member and that his work would add
fine aesthetic range to our shows.
This is, of course, a decision
the Guild Board will have to consider and make.
encl. A brochure re Frederic Whitaker. We'd appreciate having it
back for our files when you are finished with it."
On August 4, 1965 this letter
was sent by Jane Fletcher, Guild Secretary, to Reed Barrett, President
of the Fine Arts Society:
"I hope you will understand
the concern which prompts this letter and forgive any presumption
it might imply. But I must admit that my conscience, and my deep
interest in the Fine Arts Gallery, has elicited the firm reminder
that it is exceedingly awkward and wrong for anyone outside of the
Art Guild to attempt to assume the acceptance of any artists into
its membership before a Guild or Credential Committees review. I'm
concerned both because of the possible embarrassment that might
be caused the artist, and the feeling of the Guild members, who
might unwittingly feel pressured by such action, especially when
made by a person of status.
Suggestions to the Guild are,
of course most welcome and appreciated.
…to be written an artist, suggesting his or her membership,
before the fact. I'm sure you would be the first to agree.
If you feel as I do, that
the prevention of such oversights in the future is vital, I will
be happy to send a copy of this letter to anyone you deem advisable.
Again, I do hope you understand
my concern."
Jane also wrote another letter
to Warren Beach expressing her concern about that "oversight".
Frederic Whitaker wrote this
letter to James Sheets, on November 16, 1965:
"I am writing to acknowledge
receipt of your letters of November 11 to Mrs. Whitaker and me in
which you notify us that the Credentials Committee of the Guild
has rejected our application for membership.
You kindly suggest that we
submit new work and new applications in October of 1966.
We shall be happy to do this, but as we do not know those who makeup
your committee we feel it is only fair to insist that each committee
member first submit several of his of her best paintings to the
above address for our consideration. We should like to be assured
that they are qualified to pass upon our work or that of other artists.
c.c. Messrs. Reed Barrett and Warren Beach."
(Note: Frederic and Eileen
Monaghan Whitaker finally reapplied and were accepted into the Guild
in July 1968.)
On August 13, 1965, Naomi
Baker wrote this article for the San Diego Evening Tribune:
Birthdays Loom for Guild, James Sheets Tells Plans for Its Future
"Sept. 9 will be the
San Diego Art guild's 50th anniversary. Its president, James L.
Sheets, who will be 37 on the day after the guild's birthday, believes
the organization is experiencing a renaissance. He says one of its
major aims is to help bring recognition to San Diego as one of the
most important visual art centers in the nation.
A step in this direction is
the expansion of the guild-sponsored spring competitive exhibition
in the San Diego Fine Arts Gallery into statewide scope…
The guild shows in early years,
were limited to members and some of the exhibitions were not juried.
The guild will continue o
have its autumn exhibitions in the Fine Arts Gallery limited to
work by members…
President Proposes Local Subscription Plan of Exhibits
Sheets has proposed a plan
for a local subscription series of rotating exhibitions of paintings
by members in business and professional establishments. These will
take the place of the small displays of guild art which have been
lent free to various establishments…
Sheets said there will also
be two large group exhibitions by guild members in the downtown
area during the year. He also envisions expansion of the already
successful guild rental service in the Fine Arts Gallery, and looks
forward to a series of one-man shows of guild artists' work in the
Fine Arts Gallery after opening of its new west wing next January.
Marj Hyde has been named chairman
of the one-man shows. She will confer on these with Warren Beach,
gallery director.
Guild Membership Grows as Newcomers Are Invited
Over the last few years, guild
membership has increased to 230.
Sheets said the guild invited
newcomers in the area to submit samples of their work to be considered
by a guild committee for membership.
He pointed out that the guild's
aims remain the same as when the organization was formed: To judge
and accept art by esthetic principles, to encourage high standards
and individual creative expression, and to provide for exhibitions,
discussions and other art-related events…"
Marj Hyde wrote this note
to her committee members and to Jim Sheets, Warren Beach, and Rudy
Turk on August 26, 1965:
"On Aug. 23 I met with
Mr. Beach and Mr. Turk to discuss with them one-man shows activity
that will develop when the new wing is completed. I thought it wise
to get their opinions and ideas before we meet.
During the discussion it was
clear that all three of us agreed on this key point: one-man shows
in the gallery should be open to any living artist. There may not
be general agreement on this because Guild members may feel that
they should have priority. The three of us felt that this policy
would be very shortsighted.
We also discussed method of
selection which could be either by application or recommendation
but in either case the artist would be reviewed and approved by
a selection committee. This committee could be made up of
1- Gallery Director
2- Assistant Gallery director
3- Two Art Guild members
4- One member of Contemp. Arts
Mr. Beach indicated that the
final responsibility would have to rest with the Gallery administration.
This makes sense since the Gallery is their responsibility.
We also
discussed the need for a statement of philosophy, e.g. What is
the purpose of the one-man show? Warren suggested that the committee
make a statement of purpose and he will do the same, then we can
compare ideas and later bring our ideas together in a single statement.
Frankly, I think we have an
opportunity to strike a blow for quality and for work of a more
productive nature than we have seen in the past. I hope so.
Will you let me know what
you think of these ideas? Is Sat. morning a convenient time for
you to meet? Before we make any presentation to the A.G. Board,
I think our committee should meet with Warren and Rudy to firm-up
our ideas and recommendations."
On September 2, 1965 a letter
written by James Sheets, President, was sent to all Guild members
describing the organization and requesting assistance. Here is an
excerpt for that letter.
"Q. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE SAN DIEGO ART GUILD IS?
A. THE SAN DIEGO ART GUILD IS A COMMITTEE OF THE FINE
ARTS SOCIETY COMPOSED OF SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY'S FINEST ARTISTS.
THESE ARTISTS,
AMONG THEIR MANY GUILD ACTIVITIES, ANNUALLY SPONSOR TWO OF
THE LARGEST ART EXHIBITS AT THE FINE ARTS GALLERY.
Producing these exhibitions is time consuming and costly. Money
must be raised to defray costs of printing entry blanks, announcements
and catalogs, hiring jurors, providing prizes, etc. Plans to further
improve the quality of these exhibitions (in line with our cities
growth as a cultural center) call for an increase in expenditure.
THEREFORE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 50 YEARS OF EXISTANCE THE GUILD
IS ASKING FOR A FAVOR. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND FURTHER OUR EXHIBITION
PROGRAM THE GUILD ASKS A NOMINAL CONTRIBUTION OF ONLY $1.00 FROM
EACH MEMBER (OF COURSE MORE WOULD BE ACCEPTED).
All contributions are tax deductible. Also contributors of more
than $25.00 will have their names listed in an exhibition catalog…
P.S. The enclosed print is a reproduction of a work by a Guild artist
and a small gift of appreciation to you. May it serve as a reminder
of our common goals."
On September 7, 1965 Joan
Wells wrote this letter to Wayne, a prospective Guild member:
"We hope you've heard
that the San Diego Art Guild, through its Board, Credentials Committee,
and the new Contemporary Arts Committee, is making a great effort
to improve the state of art locally, and give emphasis to the most
highly qualified art works as well as encouragement and support
to their makers.
We realize that the guild
has had problems and weaknesses over the years--characteristics
which have reflected on the general art climate. But we feel that
many of these can be solved now through a strong membership with
a brave and free voice. These qualities could go a long way toward
a growth in the tenor of exhibits and other functions, and toward
strengthening the support of the best our own artists have to offer.
Admittedly, artists generally
shun 'joining' or structured groups. But we frankly don't know a
way that's better of improving shows, juries, acquisitions and the
like than through a growing Guild membership of highly qualified
artists.
So we, the President of the
Art Guild and the Credentials Committee urge you to submit your
work for jurying at the earliest possible date…"
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