All That Is Golden

The Park Hill Art Club Turns 50 This Year. A Look Back On How It All Started — And The Creative Work That Lies Ahead

By Ruby Dianne Eichenour

For the GPHN

Fifty years ago a group of churchwomen gathered around a table in a Park Hill home to chat and make art together.

The year was 1974. An extraordinary teacher named Oksana Ross entered the picture, and taught the women painting, drawing, and art history. The classes were sponsored by the United Methodist Women of Park Hill United Methodist Church. A year later, the group of artists proudly held its first show and sale in the balcony parlor at the church.

The Park Hill Art Club was born.

Since then, the club has nurtured hundreds of Park Hill artists. Members include hobbyists and working artists, whose creative work hangs in homes all over the neighborhood. Their art has been featured in galleries and in local venues including the Park Hill Garden Walk, the annual Home Tour and Street Fair, and the annual neighborhood artists’ Open Studio Tour.

As the club reaches its half-century mark, members are gearing up for

a spring show next month — one of two held at the Park Hill United Methodist Church every year (see details at right).

Here is a look back on the club’s history and highlights.

The early years

The Park Hill Art Club officially organized in December, 1976 at Park Hill United Methodist Church. The church, at the corner of Montview Boulevard and Glencoe Street, sponsored the club’s classes, and hosted the club’s art shows. Membership grew to 36 participants.

By 1978, the club was holding weekly classes in watercolor, pastels, oil, and drawing in the church’s classrooms. The club provided opportunities for artists to socialize, learn, and show and sell their work. Yearly art shows were held in the church gymnasium.

In 1982, the club adopted its first bylaws. Board positions were officially designated and annual dues were set at $3 a year. The roster had grown to 59 members. Members paid $25 for a choice of four classes, each lasting eight weeks, with three sessions per year. The art shows became a late April/early May tradition. Watercolor classes were very popular and had a waiting list.

In the ‘90s, classes were held twice a week. Summer plein air events were added — members called them “Paint Outs.” By 1996, a Fall Art Show had been added. Club members toured together to Santa Fe, New Mexico for an art retreat, and began showing their work at local festivals.

In the early 2000s, new art display panels were installed at the Spring Art Show, lending a more professional look — and a favorite place to shop for affordable local art in the spring and fall. Membership swelled to around 250 members. A 2004 article in the Greater Park Hill News celebrated the club’s 30th anniversary: “It’s about the classes.”

Indeed, the Park Hill Art Club had grown into a thriving art school where new artists could learn, and skilled artists could develop their craft under the mentorship of well-known talent. By 2010, the club was holding 10 to 12 eight-week classes, three times a year.

Then came the lockdown

The club grew and thrived due to an enthusiastic membership and the incredible generosity of Park Hill United Methodist Church. The church did not charge for the classroom space; they only took a percentage of the show sales. In 2010, the club increased membership dues to give a portion to the church to help with building remodeling costs. (Eventually the church started charging the club a modest rent for classroom space.)

The club stayed on course as a community art school through the decade. Then came the lockdowns of 2020.

Seemingly overnight, everything changed. Teachers began teaching online; students — young and old — began learning online. Some club members took online classes from their favorite local teachers; others branched out to other instructors in all parts of the world.

And thus, many artists kept learning. The club, however, by mid-2021, was on the verge of collapse. That fall, in-person classes were readying to resume. But the club learned that the church, in need of costly remodels, could no longer host classes (though the gymnasium would still be available for the twice/yearly art shows).

The club nearly disbanded, but for one new member, Judy Murdock.

Frustrating, difficult — and gratifying

With the help of Joan Porter, the “pandemic” club president, Murdock recruited a core group of enthusiastic members who worked to keep the club going. A committee began searching for a new club meeting place.

Which brings us to 2024.

At the half-century mark, a new volunteer board is working mightily to piece the club back together. It is a struggle to recruit volunteers to help with the effort. In pre-pandemic 2019 the club had almost 300 members; post-pandemic the club has regrown to around 130. Currently, the club holds open studio and workshops in a temporary location at the Art Gym, at 1460 Leyden St. The club will also hold some month-long art classes in April and May at Refresh Studios at 950 Jersey St.

Current president Amy Martin describes the efforts as “frustrating and difficult” — but also “gratifying, as people step up to get stuff done.” Several new and younger members have recently joined and are bringing fresh vitality to the club. But more is needed.

“I believe if we are to survive, we need to attract younger artists to pick up the torch and help us rebuild,” Martin says. “Finding a venue to replace the church is crucial if we want to provide that core education piece which sets us apart from most of the other small local artist groups.”

“I am not sure where we are ultimately headed, but I think the last year has shown that we can survive if we think outside the box and let go of old expectations.”

Check out parkhillartclub.org for information on club membership and upcoming classes.

 

A True Original

Patricia Barr Clarke: Member, Teacher, Artist, Friend

Artist Patricia Barr Clarke joined the Park Hill Art Club in 1977, or possibly 1978. She holds the honor of being the longest-serving member of the board, helping to lead the club through its infancy into adulthood.

Last month Barr Clarke was honored by the board for her longtime service to the club.

Barr Clarke is a nationally recognized, award-winning watercolorist whose work is exhibited in galleries in Santa Fe and Vail and in private collections all over the world. She has taught for 26 years, including to art students at the Park Hill Art Club and the Art Garage. Barr Clarke has traveled the world painting landscapes in Spain, Egypt, Morocco and other far-off lands.

50th Spring Art Show

The Park Hill Art Club will mark 50 years of fellowship and artistic creation at its Spring Art Show May 3-5. Come one, and all, and join the celebration.

When: Friday through Sunday, May 3-5

Times: May 3 from 4:30-8 p.m.; May 4 and 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Park Hill United Methodist Church, 5209 Montview Blvd.

Info on Membership, Classes, Events: parkhillartclub.org