The Northern Branch became famous for hosting grand "soir»es" as well. It was noted in one "Highlights," "Edmonton painters are as skilled with the skillet as with their palettes!"
Incidentally, in the mid eighties, Calgary Branch hosted a magnificent luncheon for a famous artist couple when they came to speak at the Glenbow. "Making casual conversation directed to the male component---a member of our tribe" alluded to the beauty, harmony and colour of the delicious food presentation... all prepared by the precious little hands of our members. "You know I'm always amazed at what great cooks artists are!"... His response was, "I don't know any artists that can cook... except my wife,"... And he hadn't even tasted the food! We were not amused! We did not invite him back!
In 1967 Harry Kiyooka enlisted the aid of U. of C.'s gestetner machine and the "Highlights" took on a simpler format. There is no doubt over all these years this publication has done a tremendous job of binding the clay of the ASA together... and it still does today. Calgary's Brent Laycock has dedicated over twenty years to editing this provincial magazine.
As the ASA membership expanded and matured in the 40's, both Edmonton and Calgary Branches punctuated their regular meetings and exhibitions with the addition of one and two week camp outs. This provided artists with the opportunity to come together for extended painting sessions, exchanging ideas and enjoying the wonderful camaraderie of social interaction with persons of similar interests.
Mike Pisko and Ted Faiers of Lethbridge joined the Calgary contingent at Canmore Camp one time and tell this story. As usual, small groups fanned out to look for a suitable paint site. After several hours of hard work, Janet Mitchell, on a hill with the Stadlebauer sisters, became totally disenchanted with the work she was doing. She furiously ripped the sheet off her watercolour pad... tore it in half, then in half again and again... until she had 16 neat squares which she deposited tidily by the path. The girls moved on, but Mike and Ted found the results of Janet's frustration, took it back to their cabin and pieced it carefully together on a sheet of cardboard like a jigsaw puzzle. What a surprise on Janet's face when they make great pretense of presenting her with the "prize of the day" at dinner! That's what the sketching trips were all about.
Today we are very envious of those special times... the great fun, inoculated with concentrated work amidst simple pleasures! And speaking of simple pleasures... Luke Lindoe remarks fondly on memories of that time period saying "What a fine gathering could be had in those days with eight folk and an 80 cent bottle of wine!" These camps served as a model for the projected Art Department of the Banff School of Fine arts, not to mention Emma Lake and others to follow.
The Edmonton branch shared many a happy time at Athabaska Falls, then later at Sunwapta River at 44 Mile House and the Brewster Dude Ranch. Camps at Canmore, Saskatchewan River Crossing, Lake O'Hara and Louise, Coleman and Nordegg were enjoyed by the Southern contingent until 1957.
During the war years the RCAF took over Tech facilities in Calgary and the ASA moved to the Coste House, a gorgeous old 28 room mansion in Mount Royal in 1946. There were many artistic groups involved with this project... working under the umbrella of the Calgary Allied Arts Council. The Coste House became the nerve centre for the arts in this city. The ASA worked diligently in all cultural aspects to keep this grand old house humming with vitality. Janette Motter, whose husband Doug was the first Secretary of the new project, says she spent her whole honeymoon washing floors at the Coste House while her husband taught! Archie Key became full time director of Coste House activities and his initiative and dedication were beyond belief!
Eventually, necessity dictated the ASA move from the Coste House to the new Allied Arts Centre in downtown Calgary. Many members felt this was the "kiss of death"... with the exception of a marvelous art rental program that was initiated there. The quaint, cozy family atmosphere enjoyed by the ASA at the Coste House was distinctly nullified.