DUBUQUE ART ASSOCIATION

DUBUQUE ART ASSOCIATION. The oldest cultural group in Dubuque, the art association was proposed in Dubuque early in 1874. In February, the Dubuque Herald suggested that if the proposed association did nothing more than collect published pictures of the city it would serve its purpose. (1) Using subscriber fees, the Association purchased art that it felt the public would enjoy. Although exhibition sites were located around the city, the primary display was made at the LORIMIER HOUSE, then the largest hotel in the city. The Association, working in coordination with the DUBUQUE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION continued making purchases which would become the basis of the DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART. (2)

On June 16, 1874, news of the Association's first art exhibit on June 17th was announced. (3) This was to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Lexington in the American Revolution. (4) The first officers were R. E. GRAVES, president; J. Duncan, vice-president; R. S. MERRILL, secretary; and John William WALLIS, treasurer. Other founding members includedDennis MAHONY, John E. BILBROUGH, Thomas J. IRISH, John DEERY, and Alexander SIMPLOT. (5)

The Association, reorganized in 1911, offered many artistic experiences including exhibits of ceramics, sculptures and paintings for its members and the general public.

The public library was established in 1859 and moved to its location on 11th Street in 1902. Lacking funding, the Art Association which had been operated in cooperation with the library, disbanded and donated fifteen pieces of art to the library.

The arts group reorganized in 1910 through the efforts of Kate Keith VAN DUZEE and Dr. E. R. Lewis. Meetings and exhibitions were held at the library. A listing of the Association’s founding subscribers has not survived, however the following individuals helped shape its growth in the early to mid 20th century: Kate Keith Van Duzee, Louise Herron HALLIBURTON, Adrian Dornbush, Dorothy ROSSITER, and Grant WOOD.

In the early 1920s, a donation of $5,000 was made to the library by Mary Lull for the purchase of art. The first purchase was a portfolio of Native American photographs made by Edward Curtis of Wisconsin. The Lull donation also allowed the purchase of two Grant Wood paintings. "Appraisal" was purchased in 1927 for $350. "Victorin Survival" was purchased at about the same time for $800. By 2020 the library was offered $6 million for "Appraisal." The Dubuque Art Museum in 2020 had an estimated 35 Grant Wood works including several sculptures, paintings and all 19 of his lithographs. (6)

A membership drive in September, 1930 doubled the size of the Association to 600 members. A junior membership campaign was planned to increase the interest of art in children. (7)

In 1956, the Dubuque Art Association left the library. In the 1970s, the association moved into BARN (THE) (Slattery Center) until 1975 when it relocated to the OLD JAIL.

The major project of the Association became the development and operation of the Old Jail Gallery. This was obtained by the Association after the sheriff's department moved into the new Law Enforcement Center in 1974. Former MAYOR C. Robert JUSTMANN and Association president Elisha DARLIN negotiated with the county supervisors for nearly all of 1975 to obtain a lease arrangement. In November 1975, a five-year lease for $1.00 was finalized. In its entire history, the Association had never before had a gallery of its own.

See: DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART

The 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 760 Central.

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Source:

1. "Caught on the Fly," Dubuque Herald, February 25, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740225&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. London, Michelle, "Never Been to the Dubuque Museum of Art?" Telegraph Herald, April 21, 2020, p. 11

3. "The Art Association," Dubuque Herald, June 16, 1874, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18740616&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

4. "Art Association," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 20, 1902, p. 8

5. Ibid.

6. London

7. "Hundreds Join Art Association," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, September 21, 1930, p. 4