The Southern States Art League, originally called the All-Southern Art Association, was formed in the 1920s to draw attention to artists from the southern United States. A number of its early members were closely associated with the Charleston Renaissance, and it has been credited with helping to establish the South as "a viable art center and formidable force in the realm of American culture."

History

The All-Southern Art Association was originally conceived in 1920 as a committee with members drawn from the Carolina Art Association and chaired by Camilla Scott Pinckney, the mother of novelist and poet Josephine Pinckney. Its goal was to present an exhibition of only southern artists, and the inaugural All-Southern Art Exhibit was held at the Gibbes Gallery of Art in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1921. Juried by museum director Florence McIntyre and artists L. Birge Harrison,

William Posey Silva William Posey Silva (1859–1948) was an early 20th century American painter noted for atmospheric landscapes painted in a lyrical impressionist style. His work is associated with the Charleston Renaissance and with the art colony in Carmel, Cali ...

, and

Alfred Hutty Alfred Heber Hutty (September 15, 1877 – June 27, 1954) was a 20th-century American artist who is considered one of the leading figures of the Charleston Renaissance. His oeuvre ranges from impressionist landscape paintings to detailed drawings a ...

, it was successful in attracting both large numbers of visitors and favorable national press. Following the first show, the association put on shows at venues that rotated through a roster of leading southern cities, including New Orleans (Louisiana), Columbia (South Carolina), Atlanta and Mobile (Georgia). The association also sponsored lecture tours by southern artists and in 1921-22 organized an exhibition by leading Charleston Renaissance artist

Alice Ravenel Huger Smith Alice Ravenel Huger Smith (July 14, 1876 – February 3, 1958) was an American painter and printmaker. She was one of the leading figures in the so-called Charleston Renaissance, along with Elizabeth O'Neill Verner, Alfred Hutty, and Anna Heyward ...

. Other southern art leagues such as the Palm Beach Art League in Florida became affiliated with the All-Southern Art Association. In 1922, the All-Southern Art Association renamed itself the Southern States Art League.

Notable members

Catharine Carter Critcher Catharine (sometimes Catherine) Carter Critcher (September 13, 1868 – June 11, 1964) was an American painter. A native of Westmoreland County, Virginia, she worked in Paris and Washington, D.C. before becoming, in 1924, a member of the Taos Soci ...

Margaret Nowell Graham Margaret Nowell Graham (1867–1942) was an American artist who painted watercolors of flowers and landscapes. She was the mother of two national political figures Katherine G. Howard, Secretary of the Republican Party and advisor to President Dw ...

* Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer * William R. Hollingsworth, Jr. *

Bonnie MacLeary Bonnie MacLeary (sometimes McLeary, which is how she signed her work) (January 2, 1886 – February 2, 1971) was an American sculptor. Some sources give her date of birth as 1890, 1892, or 1898. Early life MacLeary was born in San Antonio, Tex ...

* Florence McClung *

Dixie Selden Dixie Selden (February 28, 1868November 15, 1935) was an American artist. She studied with Frank Duveneck, who was a mentor and significant influence, and William Merritt Chase, who introduced her to Impressionism. Selden painted portraits of Ame ...

* Waldine Tauch * Helen Maria Turner * Elizabeth O'Neill Verner *

Ellsworth Woodward Ellsworth Woodward (1861–1939) was an American artist and art educator. During the late 19th century in New Orleans, Ellsworth and his older brother William Woodward were two of the most influential figures in Southern art. Ellsworth was born 1 ...

References

{{Authority control Arts organizations based in the United States Charleston Renaissance Arts organizations established in the 1920s 1920s establishments in the United States