The Society of Western Artists was founded by William Forsyth,

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and fourteen other artists in 1896. Most of these were painters, Impressionists, primarily active in the American Midwest. Other members included Frank J. Girardin,

Frank Reaugh Charles Franklin Reaugh (December 29, 1860 – May 6, 1945), known as Frank Reaugh, was an American artist, photographer, inventor, patron of the arts, and teacher, who was called the "Dean of Texas Painters". Born and raised in Illinois, he move ...

and Mathias Alten, and the miniature portraitist Edward William Carlson. It "was organized in 1896 for the purpose of uniting artists in fellowship and of combining their efforts in the advancement of Art. As one of the means to this end the Society gathers together, annually, a collection of representative works, chiefly done in the middle west, and exhibits the collection in various cities."

Development as a Society

"The Society of Western Artists feels that it has passed beyond its first youth, and that it can afford to take upon itself a more critical and dignified attitude."— Edmund H. Wuerpel

Exhibitions

Annual exhibitions traveled to U.S. cities which included Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, St. Louis and later Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Toledo. Among these exhibitions were: * Sixth Annual Exhibition of the Society of Western Artists - March 4 to March 20, 1902 - The

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"Catalogue of the Sixth Annual Exhibition of the Society of Western Artists: March 4 to March 20, 1902." Chicago, Illinois, USA: ''The Art Institute of Chicago'', 1902.

References

Arts organizations based in the United States Arts organizations established in the 1890s Arts organizations disestablished in the 20th century 1896 establishments in the United States 1914 disestablishments in the United States {{US-arts-org-stub