About Topeka Art Guild
Maybelle M. Sheetz, Historian, wrote in 1994,” Topeka Art Guild was organized in 1916, but the month and day were not known. From the newspaper of October 17, 1916, the anniversary date was established as October 16, 1916.”
The Topeka Art Guild will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2016, and truly a date to celebrate.
The group who organized the Topeka Art Guild believed that visual art was a valuable experience and that the people of Topeka would value art exhibits.
Since that time the not-for-profit Guild has been the oldest continuing art organization in the City of Topeka. Its sole support in the early years was the $2.00 membership fee.
Before the construction of the Mulvane Museum, the Guild provided exhibits in Boswell Hall, built on the Washburn University campus in 1882.
In 1931, the Topeka Art Guild contracted with the Topeka School Board to provide art exhibits in the third floor galleries of the newly constructed Topeka High School.
In May of 1987, the Topeka Art Guild opened a new headquarters in the form of the Gallery in Gage Center. The membership increased and exhibits, held bi-monthly, showed the community of Topeka the professional quality of art developed by Guild artists.
On Monday, August 4, 2003, a historic and rousing special meeting of the Art Guild Board of Directors and members was called to discuss and vote on a new location for the TAG Gallery. After much effort, three sites were selected, each with its pros and cons and presented at this special meeting for input from the attending members in order to come to a suitable decision as to where to move. The board listened and at the suggestion of Cheryl Logan by “acclamation” voted according to the expressed wishes of those present.
September 19, 2003, the ribbon cutting and opening ceremony of the new gallery at Fairlawn Plaza, 5331 S. W. 22nd Place, heralded a new exhibition space as well as an office and classroom with two entrances, one in the mall and the other to the exterior west parking area.
As Charles L. Marshall, Former Historian, stated “…the tradition of public service continues with the Topeka Art Guild. Membership requires only the single qualification—-an INTEREST in art, either creative or appreciative.”
The Topeka Art Guild sponsors a scholarship competition for Topeka area high school seniors in April each year, awarding one scholarship. Workshops to help artists develop their techniques in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and drawing are taught by local and nationally known artists.
The Topeka Art Guild welcomes all artists, patrons and students as members. The membership fee provides a monthly newsletter with notices of all exhibits and events, and the privilege of exhibiting at the Gallery.
