by Matthew Howard
ASC Visitor Relations Coordinator & Pine Bluff Art League Member

Time states that nothing is certain, but it can hold so much value and lead to beautiful outcomes. Over time in our beloved Pine Bluff, the historical landscape of art as a profession and as a hobby has roots that go back more than a century. In this period, several notable art organizations have thrived, including: The Pine Bluff Art League (PBAL), founded in 1942, and The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), founded in 1968.

Pine Bluff Art League, formerly known as the Brush and Palette Guild, is the second oldest art community in Pine Bluff and is reportedly the oldest known painting guild in Arkansas. In fact, it turns 80 this year! Not many organizations have this distinction, though it appears that holding this honor doesn’t come without caveats. What caveats? Journey with me and find out!

Before ASC came to be, the Brush and Pallet Guild was the main arts organization focused on raising a community of artists in Pine Bluff. Founder Eva Jane Pearson, along with charter members Margaret Gerin, Carlton Fox, A. F. Dial, A. D. Farrell, Adele Hudson, Edith Combs, and Myrtle Kueck set the art community in Southeast Arkansas on fire.

In its early days, the guild’s makeup consisted mostly of classically trained artists. Their sister guild, The Art Student League, consisted of art enthusiasts. The mission of the guild was to “sponsor and promote art and artistic development throughout the community.” With it, they not only focused on Pine Bluff, but started guilds in Stuttgart, DeWitt, and Magnolia, Arkansas.

Furthermore, it has focused on sponsoring art demos and workshops for both members and nonmembers. Its “first” painting workshop was held from October 22-25, 1951 and is reported to be the first art workshop held in the state. Over time, members have stepped in to provide materials and lead art instruction for a variety of workshops in the community, including for youth. This was during an era when schools provided little art instruction. To diversify art education further, the league has invited local and international artists to their meetings.

brush & palette guild members taking part in a workshop demonstration.

In its early days, there was no proper arts facility anywhere near Pine Bluff, therefore the guild was a nomadic group and met at a number of locations, such as an old Pine Bluff YWCA building, Pines Street School, at member’s homes, at the Galbraith Home, and shortly at 407 Walnut.

Mrs. Eva Jane Pearson shows art center director James E. Gillihan a painting for the Brush and Palette Guild’s “Clothesline Exhibition.

The guild also set up exhibitions at various locations. The first exhibition presented by the guild was held at the Sherwin Williams Paint Store in 1942. Later, they held both indoor and outdoor exhibits at schools, parks, banks, and more. During this time, the guild sponsored an art show alongside the Southeast Arkansas Livestock Show at Hestand Stadium.

In 1969, the guild moved to a permanent location at the Little Fire House on Laurel St., which was a community space that provided visual and performing arts workshops year-round. This exciting venture allowed the up-and-coming ASC to easily connect to the guild, as the Little Fire House had merged with ASC a year prior.

From the beginning, ASC has been an ardent supporter of the guild’s exhibiting efforts. Guild founder Eve Jane Pearson and ASC Director James E. Gillihan can be seen discussing the hanging of the guild’s “Clothesline Exhibit.“

Within the span of a few years, the league, with a little help from ASC, became the embodiment of the “City of Murals.”

In 1976, the guild came together to paint the Bicentennial mural; The project entailed 1,500 hours and centered on Pine Bluff’s port city status. The funds for the project were granted to ASC from the Arkansas Arts & Humanities Council and local sponsor Jack Perdue Sr, Owner of the Perdue Company.

In 1981, the league completed the Jefferson County Library mural at the Pine Bluff Civic Center. This mural took about four months to complete. Depicted on the mural is the Galbraith house on Sixth Street, which was the former meeting space for the Brush & Palette Guild.

Just before 1992, members of the Brush & Palette Guild noticed a decline in interest. As a result, the guild decided to send a press release out to garner interest in creating a new local art guild. It was at this time that a group of about 30 artists came together to re-forge the former Brush & Palette Guild into what we know now as The Pine Bluff Art League.

After the name change, its mission was changed to “the study and practice of the various elements of fine art, the promotion of local exhibits, and the arousing of community interest in, and appreciation of the arts.” Today, their membership includes Southeast Arkansas artists (both classically trained and self-taught) who collectively appreciate, make, and exhibit art together.

ASC always looks forward to continuing its partnership with the league and is proud to host the Annual Pine Bluff Art League Juried Exhibition. This exhibition seeks to show recent work from members of the league. Every year, members submit work to be juried and the selected works. are displayed in ASC’s International Paper Gallery. 2021 exhibiting artist Virmarie DePoyster was selected to jury this year’s exhibition, and it will be on display from September 8 - November 5, 2022. The public is invited to celebrate the league’s 80th year during a reception from 5-7 PM, Thursday, Sept. 8 at our home building, 701 S. Main St.

The PBAL juried exhibition is a great example of our collecting and exhibiting mission to provide a platform for Arkansas artists, artists of the Delta, and African American artists. We are fortunate to exhibit a number of local art groups from schools and colleges, and even feature solo artists.

In the same way ASC supports PBAL, PBAL members also do their part in supporting ASC! Members of the league regularly volunteer at different ASC events, attend fundraisers and workshops, and support ASC through membership and donations. In The ARTSpace on Main’s community galleries, PBAL members are invited to show and sell work.

Additionally, the public can find the Pine Bluff Art League aiding, attending, and sponsoring a host of festivals in the area.

Currently, the Pine Bluff Art League uses The Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center to host their first Sunday meeting from 2-4 pm, exhibit their own work, and provide community art workshops. Keep up to date with the league on their website!

2021 pine bluff art league EXHIBITION award ceremony. (from left to right) dr. rachel miller, paula barthet, crystal jennings, bryan massey, dell gorman, linda demint, richard davies, jessica lenehan.

The guild turned league has come a long way since its inception. With its current meeting area and exhibition spaces, in the Donald W. Reynolds Center and its collaboration with us at The Arts and Science Center, it has excellent facilities to venerate its work and branch out. In regards to ASC, as an American Alliance of Museums accredited member, we not only provide artists with a public community space but one with the highest level of professionalism. We thank the Pine Bluff Art League for continuing their journey with us. Congratulations on 80 years in service and practicing the arts!

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