Home > History > The Emergence of Branches
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.