The Art League of the
Chathams (originally named Chatham Township Art League) grew out of an idea by Alice Lundt, then Township Clerk, who was making
plans for a dedication/celebration to mark the opening of the newly renovated Municipal Building on Meyersville Road in 1988.
She called her artist-friend, Janet Glover, for help in finding and inviting Township artists to participate in a display
of their work in the halls of the new building. They found 24 artists who brought 160 pieces to the display. After the dedication, several of the exhibiting artists met to form an association for the artists of
the Township. Its home would be the new Municipal Building. The group met October 3, 1988 to formalize the organization with
the agreed upon name, Chatham Township Art League. The early years were dedicated to building camaraderie and to
experimenting with activities to find what “worked” to keep the membership interested and challenged. Many of
the very earliest activities (Holiday Party, End-of-Year Picnic, mini-workshops, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Exhibits) have
stood the test of time. Many other endeavors were successfully accomplished over the years including painting
the stairway mural for the Chatham Township Historical Society in the Little Red Schoolhouse in Chatham Township; many car-pooling
and bus trips to art destinations; and refurbishing an old painting for the Chatham Township Police Headquarters. More recently, the League voted to open its membership to include residents from the Borough of Chatham
by establishing a new Mission Statement and a set of Bylaws that were enthusiastically approved by the membership. Subsequently,
a vote was taken to establish the new name: Art League of the Chathams. The Board also took the necessary
steps to become incorporated. The Art League of the Chathams' membership is currently 56 and
exhibitions routinely include 65 or more works. Exhibition days have been extended to fulfill our aim to keep the halls of
the Township Municipal Building covered with art year round. The League mounts an annual Exhibit at the Library of the Chathams
and a number of exhibits at the Borough of Chatham’s Municipal Building (at the request of Chatham Borough’s Public
Arts Council.) New members from either municipality, artists, and those just
interested in art are most welcome.Membership
Chairperson, Linda Bohan Fascold at 973-635-2973.
Past
Presidents
1988 - 1990 Janet
Glover
1990 - 1992 Jo Powers
1992
- 1994 Sylvia Engresser
1994 - 1996 Suzanne Casterlin
1996 - 1998 Lee Hinderliter
1998 - 2000 Carmel
Bourneuf
2000 - 2002 Edward Schuh
2002
- 2006 Celeste Fondaco
2006 Frank McDonough
2007
- 2008 Rosemary Howlett
2009 to Present Gail Logan
