BRITISH COLUMBIA ARTISTS  

Vancouver Sketch Club

1911 - 1934 - ?


The Vancouver Sketch Club was organized in 1911, and was open to both amateur and professional artists, in "every branch of art". By 1917 the club studio was at 342 West Pender Street in downtown Vancouver, where they held exhibitions (monthly, semi-annual, and annual), art classes, and social events. The club also went on sketching expeditions. A 1925 article incorrectly noted that the "club rooms" were at 328 Pender Street.

The club is listed in the City Directories at 342 West Pender until 1928. In 1929 the club is listed at #48 - 163 West Hastings Street, with Dermot McEvoy noted as Secretary. They were not listed in the 1930 directory. From 1931 to 1934 they are listed at #29 - 163 West Hastings, with Mrs. Greaves as Secretary, but are not listed after that.

A summary of the Sketch Club exhibitions during the year looks like this, the one-day exhibitions were typically held on Saturday. The December exhibition was alternately referred to as the Annual or the Semi-Annual Exhibition:

September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
Monthly exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Annual exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Monthly exhibition
Semi-annual exhibition
No exhibition
No exhibition
One day
One day
One day
One week
One day
One day
One day
One day
One day
One week
No exhibition
No exhibition

In 1922 T.W. Fripp was Honorary President of the group, in 1923 Mr. Dermot McEvoy was president and Mrs. George Gilpin was honorary secretary.


Exhibition catalogue from the 1931 PNE show.

Artist William Hopping was an early exhibitor with the club.

The group exhibited until at least 1932, according to exhibition catalogues of the Vancouver Exhibition.

Exhibitions

DATE TITLE
1930 August 6 - 16 Vancouver Exhibition - Paintings by Members
1932 Aug. 29 - Sept. 5 Vancouver Exhibition - Vancouver Sketch Club Exhibit

Clippings

"The Sketch Club held its regular monthly studio tea on Saturday afternoon, and despite counter attractions, there was a very good attendance. ... (continues) ..."
      From "Social Notes"
      Vancouver Daily World, May 7 1917

"At their new quarters in the Victoria block, the Vancouver Sketch Club had an interesting exhibition on Saturday afternoon. Among the exhibitors were ... (continues) ..."
      "Many Visitors At Sketch Club"
      Vancouver Daily World, December 3 1917

"The Sketch Club's monthly exhibition, held on Saturday afternoon, was unusually successful, Miss Phyllis Neilson Terry being the guest of honor. The exhibits included oils, water-colors, pastels, pen and ink and chalk drawings."
      From "Miss Neilson Terry is Guest of Sketch Club"
      Vancouver Daily World, April 1918

"Judging by the large collection of pictures on view at the Vancouver Sketch Club on Saturday afternoon, when the opening of the fall season took place, the members have been far from inactive during their summer recess, but on the other hand, have been very industrious, some members showing two and more sketches. A large attendance marked the opening view, and much favorable comment was heard on all sides pertaining to the many works of art in oil, pencil, and water colors. (continues)"
      From "Sketch Club Opens Winter Season's Work"
      Vancouver Daily Province, September 8 1919

"The Vancouver Sketch Club held its monthly exhibition at the studio, 342 Pender street west, on Saturday last. Due perhaps to the Easter holidays, sickness or other causes many members failed to contribute, but such works as were hung on the walls proved that the club possesses several faithful and earnest workers."
      From "Art Exhibits Fewer But Maintain Standard"
      Vancouver Daily Province, April 13 1920

"Freshness And Vitality In Exhibition Of Vancouver Sketch Club"
      Western Woman's Weekly, June 5 1920

"For some time the meetings and exhibitions of the club were held at the studio of Miss Wake, but about two years ago an independent studio was secured at the present quarters, 342 Pender street west. This location has become known for its art associations, the building having also contained the studios of such well known artists as Mr. Thos. W. Fripp, Miss Margaret Wake, Miss Isabel Weir, and Mr. Norman Hawkins."
       From "Sketch Club Is Well Organized" by I.B.
       Vancouver Province, July 17 1920

"Arts Clubs Active - Vancouver Sketch Club"
      Western Woman's Weekly, September 18 1920

"Vancouver Sketch Club"
      Western Woman's Weekly, October 9 1920

"The attendance at the show of the Vancouver Sketch Club has of late been large and appreciative, but those who thronged the opening of the winter exhibition on Saturday outdid their predecessors both in number and in their warm enthusiasm for the work on view. ... (continues) "
      From "Annual Exhibit by Sketch Club"
      Vancouver Province, December 6 1920

"The Vancouver Sketch Club held an excellent exhibition at the club rooms, Pender Street, on Saturday afternoon. The work shown was in water color, oil and crayon, the portrait sketches being mostly in crayon and pencil. Only original examples were shown. The club is composed of amateur and professional artists, and classes are held on Wednesday and Friday nights. The membership has increased 50 per cent in the last year. The artistic appreciation of the city was shown in the number of visitors to the exhibit."
      From "Many View Sketch Club Exhibit and Much Work Shown"
      Vancouver Sun, November 7 1921

"The Sketch Club members entertained their friends at a very enjoyable tea and exhibition, Saturday afternoon, when Mrs. Stateira Frame and Mrs. Donald Downie presided over the dainty tea table. Those assisting were Mrs. Conran, Miss Christie and others. There was an interesting display of recent work."
      From "Sketch Club Tea Enjoyable Event; Good Work Shown"
      Vancouver Daily World, April 3 1922

"Vancouver Sketch Club Officers"
      Western Woman's Weekly, July 29 1922

"The exhibition held on Saturday afternoon at the rooms of the club was notable for a smaller mass of production and a higher quality of artistic feeling than previous exhibitions. The pictures also were mounted in a manner more in keeping with the general nature of the subjects under experiment. This has been achieved under suggestions framed and sent to members of the club at the instance of the hanging committee."
      From "Vancouver Sketch Club"
      Vancouver Province, March 5 1923

"Sketch Club Semi-Annual Art Exhibition"
      British Columbia Ladies' Mirror, December 15 1923

"Student Classes At Sketch Club"
      British Columbia Ladies' Mirror, December 15 1923

"The most pleasing feature about the first exhibition of the new year members of the Vancouver Sketch Club held on Saturday afternoon at their Pender Street rooms and well attended, was the fact that figure subjects were much more numerous than usual. The exhibition as a whole was varied and, though not so ambitious in point of number of exhibits as the last show, which was kept open for a week, there was satisfying evidence of individual development."
      From "Sketch Club Exhibit Held"
      Vancouver Daily World, February 4 1924

"A new fine arts committee for 1924 has been struck as follows: ... Mrs. Gilpin and Miss Wake, representing the Vancouver Sketch Club"
      From "Will Feature B.C. Artists"
      Vancouver Province, May 10 1924

"The private view preceding the semi-annual exhibition of the Vancouver Sketch Club was marked by the attendance of many interested guests at the club rooms, 328 (sic) Pender Street west, on Saturday, when selected pictures from the work of the past six months were on display."
      From "Private View Precedes Sketch Club Exhibition"
      Vancouver Province, November 30 1925

"Sketch Club Members Exhibit Work"
      Vancouver Province, January 18 1932


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