About Us
Our Mission Statement
• To bring together people with a mutual interest in the fine arts and to be of service to the community by providing a congenial group interested in the fine arts.
• To foster better understanding of creative art, its origin, techniques, media and means of expression, and to gain from one another new incentive through mutual work and study.
• To promote and encourage promising artists in the community.
• To offer a means of bringing work before the public through exhibitions and other programs.
Our History
In June 1962 seven people broke away from a now defunct Scarborough art group to form the Art Guild of York-Scarborough. They all agreed to meet each week in a small room at the Cedarbrook Community Centre to paint and exchange ideas. These meetings were so successful that within seven months the membership had increased to 46 and they had twice moved to larger areas in the Community Centre. During January 1972 the word “York” was dropped from the name of the Guild and it then became known as The Art Guild of Scarborough.
In the beginning, funds were scarce. At a Christmas party in December 1963 members were obliged to band together to have an auction sale to raise money. The proceeds of that sale went to hire instructors. 1968 marked a significant turning point for the Guild when paintings were hung in both Scarborough Hospitals and proceeds from sales began to augment the operating funds. Nowadays, the financial state of the Guild is excellent, and members are treated to a wide variety of lectures, critiques and demonstrations throughout the year.
The Spring and Fall Shows started as a tradition in 1963 and have continued throughout the years without fail. The weekend-long juried Spring and Fall shows, held at Centennial Recreation Centre, and the annual two-week long Arthur Show at the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre have attracted thousands of patrons.
Awards, including the Lila Patton Award named after a former member, the Joy MacFadyen Free Spirit award named after the longest serving president in the Guild’s history, and the Arthur Award are presented annually. The Arthur Award which was created by the first president, Andrew Nixon, has become the logo synonymous with the Guild. The figurine with the dripping paintbrush is obviously an artist hence the name associated with the award – The ARThur.
The Arthur Award
Long time member Joy McFadyen holding the Joy McFadyen Free Spirit Award
The Guild has continued to grow in size to reach its present restricted total of 175 members. Members are treated to a wide variety of lectures, critiques and demonstrations throughout the year along with various annual ‘Show and Sales’ events. The original goal to exchange ideas and to paint remains, as does the congeniality and the sense of collaboration of the members of the Guild. The Art Guild of Scarborough has expanded its presence in the broader community through its website and through its posts on Facebook.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Art Guild of Scarborough continued to connect with its members through weekly ZOOM demonstrations and meetings. The Art Shows and Sales migrated to virtual art shows. Plein Air events at the Guild Inn were added in order for the members to have an opportunity to socialize. They also donated pieces of artwork to hang in the rooms of seniors in nursing homes. Members responded to a call from the Toronto Zoo to donate paintings to hang throughout the zoo.
The year 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of The Art Guild of Scarborough. Our artists have continued to create original art in a variety of media including acrylics, oil, watercolour, sculpture, mixed media, charcoal, pastels, and pen and ink. The Art Guild of Scarborough proudly celebrates its vibrant history, its successful present and looks forward to a bright future of presenting fine arts in the community.