Grosse Pointe Artist Association then and now...

The Grosse Pointe Artists Association’s beginnings extend back to November 1927, when John L. Vogt arranged an exhibition of Grosse Pointe area artists at the Grosse Pointe Neighborhood Club’s new gymnasium. An exhibition of original artwork by Grosse Pointe area artists and Grosse Pointe High School students followed in April of 1929. The group was officially named and organized in 1938. This group of artists grew to 73 members and incorporated as a non-profit organization in April 1942.

During World War II, we painted posters for USO dances, raised funds for the Red Cross and taught art to wounded veterans at the Marine Hospital at Windmill Pointe. In 1947, the GPAA donated a 15th century bronze sculpture to the Detroit Institute of Arts. The organization conducted classes and held annual exhibits at the Alger House, later renamed the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Funds from GPAA classes, lectures and dues supported the construction of the Fries Auditorium and the art wing at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.

In addition to monthly exhibitions in our gallery, we have hosted the Wayne County Council for the Arts, History and Humanities’ Annual Shows, the Michigan Watercolor Society’s Annual Shows and the Great Lakes Pastel Society‘s National Show. In spring 2006, College for Creative Studies students’ participated in our first annual collaboration with them and professional artists, and in April 2007, we are featuring Wayne State University students. In the fall of 2006, Wayne State University’s Fiber Arts Departments, Michigan Surface Design and Grosse Pointe Artists Association joined in an All Fibers Art Exhibition. In 2005, we began a series of literary and artistic discussion groups that have developed, through outside grants, support for an Artist-in-residence and a Poet/Writer-in-residence.
Yearly, GPAA gives fine art awards in the form of financial support to North High School and South High School art students. We have worked with the local schools in a fine art project called Postcards on the Edge. Each December during the holiday celebrations, we donate toys and goods to Crossroads, a charitable organization located at St. Columba Church in Detroit.

GPAA members exhibit their artwork at the Van Elslander Cancer Center at St. John’s Hospital for the pleasure of patients and visitors. We, also, maintain two galleries with our members work at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford Estate. We co-sponsor local children’s competitions, donate artwork to the yearly COTS auction and to fundraising events with St. Vincent De-Paul. We take our art to school children in Detroit at the Detroit Water Festival and speak on the environment and the role art plays in all of our lives. In partnership with the Guyton school, we have displayed the Guyton Quilt made by Detroit school children.
Since August of 2003, we have annually held an exhibition “Our River’s Our Lakes,” that displays artwork inspired by the great lakes. During this exhibition environmental groups from across the state and nationally are invited to provide brochures, pamphlets and videos that speak to the environmental issues and the citizens responsibilities for the health of our waterways.

Our membership is open to anyone interested in supporting the arts. We also have a student membership category for ages 16 to 22.