The 90’s was a busy, active time for the Lynnfield Art Guild. Scrapbooks from the decade reveal a modern and progressive approach to serving its members. Several members were trained by the local Cable station to record demonstrations as a Cultural Council grant was used to purchase editing equipment. At the January 1990 meeting, Guild members were treated to a recording of highlights of six demo artists. However, as it was before the internet, meeting cancellations were listed on WEEI!
The annual auction run by Phil Perkins and Pauline Bacon continued with the donation of several original paintings as well as traditional gently used items. Trips included outings to the Currier Museum and the Portland Art Museum. The Guild’s charitable actions included purchasing passes for the library to offer the public to use to visit the MFA, donations to the Starlight Foundation for sick children and donations of art books to the Library in memory of deceased active members. In 1994 the Guild Board proudly announced the setting up of an art/photo scholarship at the Lynnfield High School for a graduating senior.
Membership was booming – as of 1994 there were 200 members of record! Dues had increased to $12 with family membership at $20. A Lifetime membership including a pin was presented to Esther Thomas and Charter Member Bill Thompson, oil painter and life member of the Copley Art Society, was one of the demonstrators. Creative and unusual demonstrations over the decade included: En Plein Air artist Bill Mahoney (also showing how to pack for field trips); Sci-Fi Artists Wendy and Chuck Lang (also lecturing on art portfolio and marketing); watercolor and guache artist Priscilla Patrone discussing the difference in the mediums; Courtroom artist and pastel painter Connie Pratt; embroidery artist Elaine McGrath; Comic Strip watercolor artist George Shedd; local cartoonist John Cody; and still life oil painter Robert Douglas Hunter.
A photography night featured several photographers and instructed how to make cards out of photos. There was a potter (Roy Hendrickson) who brought in his wheel to demonstrate and an Interior Designer who spoke about incorporating art into the design of a room. Members were allowed to show up to 2 items (at a fee of $5 each) at the shows. In June of 1990 over 70 artists participated in the spring show. Exhibit opportunities were many; there were LAG exhibits at Hunt Hospital in Danvers, Lynn Woods, Pilgrim Rehab in Peabody, and with the Saugus Rotary and the North Suburban Art Exhibit in Wakefield.
The 90’s certainly were busy and exciting times for area artists associated with LAG!
