The December 1952 All Membership show did not feature all the members but was divided into two shows, one an all -member show and the other a prizewinners show featuring the winners of the previous three guild shows.
     A well remembered Guild annual dinner meeting featured scenes from three famous plays by Jackson Woolley and Donna Woodruff called "Drama Duo."

     An article in the San Diego Union published on April 25, 1953 described this and other Guild activities:

100 S.D. Guild Members, Guests Enjoy Gala Annual Dinner Meeting
by Edith Cushing, Society Editor
" More than 100 members of the San Diego Art Guild and guests gathered last night in San Diego Woman's Clubhouse for a gala annual dinner meeting, with Jean Swiggett, associate professor of art at San Diego State, elected president, succeeding charming and talented Margaret Price. Among the evening's many highlights were the president's annual report, filled with achievements which contributed to San Diego's cultural life--the dramatic entertainment presented by Donna Woodruff and Jackson Woolley--the stabiles with moving parts for an effect of moving gaily, table décor designed by Belle Baranceanu--the warm congratulations of Thomas B. Robertson, director of the Fine Arts Gallery, who praised the fellowship and rising creative art activity of this working art group of the Fine Arts Society….
SHOW RECALLED
     Some of the guild's activities mentioned by Mrs. Price included a water color and graphic show last June; an oil, sculpture and ceramic show in October; participating in the Art Mart; the all-membership show and Christmas party; the all-media exhibit in March; sponsorship of lectures at the gallery; classes by artist-teachers; sponsorship of children's classes known as the Junior Art League, and creation of a new mural committee.
Members of this group are painting murals for the children's ward of the County Hospital and will exhibit them in the San Diego Art Gallery and Coronado next month before placing them in the hospital…
DESIGNED COSTUMES
     It was she (Mrs. Woolley) who designed the colorful costumes used by her husband and Miss Woodruff in their unusual and most entertaining dramatic presentation. Dressed in basic gray costumes, on stage they added everything from bustles to togas in playing their roles, which they explained were planned to give the widest variety of dramatization.
     Beginning with the proposal scene from Oscar Wilde's 'Importance of Being Earnest', done with deftness and delight in Wilde's fun words, they continued to John Dryden's classic scene in 'All for Love' with Anthony and Cleopatra in their dramatic parting, concluding with the wooing scene from 'Taming of the Shrew,' which many remembered the two having done so excellently at the Globe.
ADD BRIGHT BITS
     Informally introducing each scene with bits about the author or about customs of the time, the two actors meanwhile were adding bright bits of costume, which, with the assistance of the audiences imagination truly created the magic of the theater…"

     A delightful article written by Susan Delight, Food Editor for the San Diego Union came out on April 26, 1953:

Artistic Arrangement Rated High By Social Chairman of the Art Guild
     "Art in food is the special province of Mrs. Gertrude Williams Kueny, of 1168 Pacific Beach Dr., who feels that the artistic arrangement is just as important as tastiness in preparing food. Mrs. Kueny and good food are synonymous. Whenever there is an occasion to share food, Mrs. Kueny's contributions are always the center of attraction.
     Social chairman of the Art Guild, Mrs. Kueny has been responsible for providing food for many of the guild's social events and the refreshments have always been artistically arranged as well as delicious.
     Art has always been a guiding force in Mrs. Kueny's life. When she was 8 years old she started to study art, riding a long distance on her bicycle to take lessons before classes started. A truly native daughter, Mrs. Kueny had resided here all her life. She believes that all good cooks like to eat, and claims no exemption to the rule. Her other interests are gardening and sewing.

     The following cookie recipe is Mrs. Kueny's original version.

ROMANCE COOKIES
1 cup butter or margarine
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 cups sifted flour
1 ½ cups quick-cooking oatmeal
Topping
2 eggs
2 cups brown sugar
2 tbsps. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1tsp. vanilla
¾ cup cocoanut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped dates
     Cream butter until soft, add eggs, then dry ingredients. Spread evenly on cookie sheet, 12 x 17. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes. While cookie layer bakes mix topping. Beat eggs until light and fluffy; stir in brown sugar, flour, vanilla and beat until smooth. Then fold in dates, nuts and cocoanut. Spread topping on the partly baked cookie layer; return to the 350 degree F. oven and bake 20 minutes longer, or until golden brown on top. Cool. Cut into bars with sharp knife…"

     In 1953 John Zane, Guild member and illustrator at the Naval Electronics Laboratory, exhibited a painting of several Grant Wood-like Daughters of the American Revolution types at the museum. Director Thomas B. Robertson was pressured to remove it. Charges of censorship followed. Fortunately, John won his case.
     Tom Robertson was always in favor of the Guild and was very supportive of the local artists. At his urging, the Fine Arts Society built a special place attached to the basement for artist Dan Dickey to give evening classes in life drawing. Sadly, he suffered a nervous breakdown, and resigned in 1955. His explanation, given in a 1980 interview, was that he resigned because of family problems and work pressures.

     In the San Diego Union November 1, 1953 this article was written about the latest idea in marketing art:

RENTAL PARTY SLATED TONIGHT AT ART GALLERY
     "The San Diego Art Guild's first 'Rental Party' will be held tonight at 7:30 In The Fine Arts Gallery. Members of the guild, Fine Arts Society and guests are invited and will have the opportunity to rent pictures from the recent guild exhibition.
     A lecture with colorful slides on 'Viking Land' by Alice Hulick Preston, guild member who recently returned from abroad, will be followed by charades and rental of guild pictures. After-dinner coffee will be served at the start of the evening.
     The rental project, unique in San Diego art circles, is to encourage the realization that paintings are not just to hang on museum walls, but should be placed in homes as well. This plan makes it possible for those who are not ready to invest in the purchase of a painting to have original works to enjoy at a nominal fee. It also gives those who do not      contemplate purchase an opportunity to try living with their choices first.
     The label attached to a picture announcing that it may be rented should be a challenge to the gallery visitor. His analysis will be more alert and personal as he asks himself if he would like to have it on his own wall."
     (The art rental parties continued for several years and eventually the program became part of the Sales and Rental Gallery.)

     Another Art Mart was held in 1953 as part of a citywide festival. The local artists' show lasted a month. Organized by Illse Ruocco and held in Balboa Park where a special building was constructed north of 6th and Laurel Streets to store the art work over night.
The Evening Tribune on December 1, 1953 published this article:

Art Guild Sets Show Friday Night
     "San Diego Art Guild's Christmas party Friday night at 8 will open the guild's all-media show. It will be held in Fine Arts Gallery for members of the Fine Arts Society and guests.
     Miss Ethel Ihan is social chairman for the evening and James Gibbs promises something different in table decorations --Christmas mobiles.
     A musical program and charades will be part of the evening program, which will feature two films from United Productions of America, 'Gerald McBoing Boing' and 'Unicorn in the Garden'"
     (Note: Gerald McBoing Boing is an animated film about a noise-making boy, which won the academy award in 1950.)

     Original table decorations, created by the artists, were featured at all Guild sponsored teas and parties as well as many of the Fine Arts Society functions including their annual meetings.

     In February 1954 the Guild, with the Fine Arts Society, created a new teen-age project celled the "Studio Guild". 60 boys and girls from 12 area schools were charter members. John Baldessari, studio manager, guided the new guild. The charter members were chosen by their teachers among those interested in art Herbert Minshall Jr., who thought up this idea served as sponsor and overall director.
     The Studio Guild held their first exhibition in May 1954. Jean Swiggett, Barney Reid, and James Gibbs juried the exhibit.

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