A journey begins with a single step. In 1978 twelve resident/artists at Fairfield Glade came together to form an art guild for Fairfield Glade residents. In 46 years the Guild has grown to a membership of approximately 164 individuals, and has opened its membership to anyone with the willingness to be an active volunteer member.
Through the years the Guild has met in the FFG Multipurpose room, occupied a portion of the FFG Community Club Arts and Crafts building on Wilshire Heights Drive, and later took full responsibility for that building (one giant leap of faith on how a small volunteer group could come up with a monthly lease payment of just under $300 plus utilities WE DID!). This was considered the Art Guild’s first “home”.
After mold was found in the Wilshire Heights property, we had to vacate the building; FFG United Methodist Church opened its doors to the Guild to have our meetings, and for a period of time the Village Green Mall let us use their interior space to showcase our work. After three years of not having our own home, and thanks to the dedication and belief in what we could accomplish, in April of 2008 the new Plateau Creative Arts Center opened its doors and the Guild finally had a HOME of its own!
The journey of how the Plateau Creative Arts Center came to be is a series of miracles. The idea of having a home of our own started with the belief that we were like the little engine that needed to climb the hill . . . we knew we could, we knew we could. A series of small (this was to enable the members to feel freer to express their opinions and concerns) meetings for Guild members were held to discuss the need for a home of our own and to see if the members were willing to support the cause. The FFG CC Board was approached asking that a site of common property be donated on which to build an arts center, this center would become an important component not only to the Glade but to the plateau region and would be a win-win situation for all, the Board agreed to put the idea before the community for a vote. Of the voters who responded 80% voted in the affirmative. The Guild became a member of the Crossville/Cumberland Chamber of Commerce; representatives attended the Chamber events to share the news of how we were planning to build an arts center in Cumberland County. Informative talks about our goals were given to various local organizations. Community leaders gave generously of their time and efforts in letting the greater Tennessee community know about our plans and helped in our obtaining grants and most importantly through a painstaking process the United States Department of Agriculture granted the Guild a loan. Guild members generously donated monies to the building fund, worked rigorously and supported the various fund raising projects; civic organizations and community residents did the same. In April 2008 the Art Guild at Fairfield Glade officially opened its doors to the public with the Grand Opening Celebration. So many people attended that we later learned some couldn’t find a parking spot and disappointingly went home. Special kudos for this amazing accomplishment go to President Nancy Hamm, Treasurer Carol Papo, and Chair of the building committee Sherry Jacober.
The journey begun thirty years ago will continue along new and incredible pathways we can only imagine. How proud we all are to be part of this organization started by twelve dedicated individuals.
PRESIDENTS of the ART GUILD AT FAIRFIELD GLADE
1978, 79 Ed McComb 2000 Patti Drake
1980 Al Mayberry 2001, 02 Bev Olin
1981 Bonnie Vance 2003 Audrey Paul
1982 Al Mayberry 2004, 05, 06 Nancy Hamm
1983, 84, 85, 86 Lional Schwan 2007, 08 Ray Butkus
1987 Don Good 2009, 10 Claudia Kirkpatrick
1988, 89 Lou Teal 2010, 11 Donna Slinkard
1990 Sylvia Morrell 2011, 12, Barb Rogers
1991, 92 Dian Rentschler 2013, 14 Barb Rogers & Sara Flohr
1993 Al Mayberry
1994 Bob Hoover
1995, 96 Dorothy Grauff
1997 Sandra Echard
1998, 99 Le Voss
The concept of “hosts” was originated in 1984. In 1985, at the suggestion of Mary Bodman, the Guild began awarding scholarships to local high school students interested in pursuing a career in the arts.
In the early 90s, Al Mayberry suggested an art library which soon started with a subscription to “Portfolio” magazine. As you all know, our library has grown to be the most extensive collection of art books, magazines and videos in Cumberland County. As Joyce Guitar, the 1989 Guild Historian said in the History published that year “It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Back in 1978, members met, painted and drew, traded ideas and “tricks of the trade”, enjoyed each other, fed their faces, watched art videos, went to museums and art galleries, took educational trips, contributed to worthy art causes, welcomed new members, competed against each other and made the Fairfield Art Guild what it is today . . . a meeting place for extremely gifted and talented people who thoroughly enjoy helping out those less gifted. It is a place to go to practice your art, feed your soul and have your spirits lifted.”by Joyce Guitar
Early Years from 1978
Back in 1978, before most of us had ever heard of a place called Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, a small group of Glade residents interest in fine art began meeting with artists from Crossville. “It was just for fun,” states Carol Schwan, who should know, since she and her husband Lionel, Al Maberry, Ruthanna Moss and Ella Mae Trees, were among those original few. Their first Art Show was held on the Court House lawn in Crossville, where our members did well.Druid Hills Country Club was the next site for a show, while the rest have been in the Arts and Crafts building.
Because of the distance to Crossville–Peavine Road was winding and treacherous–they decided to start their own art guild here at the Glade. Meetings of this yet to be named group were held in the Security building.
The Fairfield Glade Fine Arts Guild was officially born and named October 12, 1978 at its first organizational meeting. Elected to the presidency was Ed Mc Comb and Vice President and Program Chairman was Art Bouhall. Carol Schwan was Secretary-Treasurer. Officers were elected in November, with succeeding officers to assume office in January. Bonnie Vance was in charge of trips.
The first actual meeting of the group was on November 7, 1978. All 12 members paid the $5.00 dues (still the same). Lionel Schwan took charge of publicity, while Bill Ludwig did displays. Meetings were on Mondays.
In the ‘70s, the group enjoyed a lot of potluck lunches. Nowadays, we savor just one at Christmastime, but many bring a snack lunch while working “upstairs at the Arts and Crafts” under the able tutelage of Elizabeth Hill. Whether pastels, watercolor, oil or scratch-board, she can help. The camaraderie is delightful. These Tuesday sessions are open to all-residents and visitors alike.
The Fine Arts Guild moved into its “new building” on Wilshire Heights in September of 1982–and promptly held its first Art Show. The Community Club holds the lease on the building and is the sponsor. Back then, how sweet it must have been for Art Guild members to “have their very own place.”
At that time there were dinner theatre productions held in Druid Hills Country Club, with costumes made and kept in what is now the office and lunchroom of the Arts and Crafts building. Ceramics were created and fired upstairs, while many a lovely painting hung from the walls much as they do today.
The Spring Open House and Fall Art Shows were scenes of activity. –If only those walls could talk, they would tell of the fun and work that is part of our rich history.
On July 20, 1982 the Guild, as a result of a motion by Lionel Schwan, became the Fairfield Glade Art Guild. Naomi Conley was named building manager.
Other changes began as members worked to transform the house into an art gallery. A drinking fountain was installed, members painted, carpeted, installed new lights, built a ramp and railings for the front porch and created a beautiful sign. Our numbers remained small. Transformation preceded growth. Later, carpet covered plywood walls were installed, creating a new gallery look and a practical answer to constantly patching nail holes. Then, in 1991, track lighting in the gallery replaced the florescent lights in order to spotlight and enhance artwork displayed on the gallery walls.
Al Mayberry suggested we have an art library. It was started with a subscription to “Portfolio” magazine. It grew by leaps and bounds. Robert Usher, Robert Harrigan, Reeve Loomis and Thelma Whitford donated many books, as well as those given anonymously. The well over 300-book library today was lovingly catalogued by Sally and John Price in 1993.
If you would complain about today’s weather, consider this …. back in December, January and February of 1982 …. there were no meetings due to snow and ice!
On March 15, 1988, Tuesdays, became the working day, with the 3rd Tuesday of each month reserved for business meetings. The Art Guild also became an official non-profit organization.
Lionel Schwann was the very first “Artist of the Month”. Over the years, many outstanding artists have displayed their works, attracting members and patrons in the enjoyment of each artist’s unique talent. at Lionel’s death in 1989, Mary Bodman suggest the Guild’s Scholarship Fund (presented annually to a Cumberland County High School senior), be called the “Lionel Schwan Scholarship” in his honor. A commemorative plaque and an example of his line drawing technique can be seen hanging at the base of the stairway to upstairs.
It was deemed necessary to have hosts at the center in May 1984. Ella Mae Trees composed waivers for insurance purposes. In March 1985, Al Mayberry asked each artist to draw a black and white picture for a calendar. The profits were to go to worthy high school students interested in an art career. This was at the suggestion of Mary Bodman, Treasurer.
Presidents of the Guild have been: Ed McComb (three terms), Bonnie Vance, Al Maberry (two terms), Lionel Schwan, Don Good, Lu Teal, Sylvia Morrill, Dian Rentschler (two terms) and Bob Hoover, the current president.
Honorary members include Ed Nelson, Phyllis Lansinger and Emily Fath. Each has a long history of contributions to the Guild.
Now in 1994 with our membership over 80, the Art Guild has all but outgrown its facility. At our March meeting we voted to hold further meetings at the Multi-Purpose Building.
The Guild has had may outstanding artists who would shine in any community. We enjoy them because they share their talents freely. However, the intent of the Guild is not to have just outstanding artists, but to be a place where artists of all degree of talent and those residents just interested in art can get together to share and enjoy common interests.
It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Back in 1978, members met, painted and drew, traded ideas and “tricks of the trace”,enjoyed each other, fed their faces, watched art videos, went to museums and art galleries, took educational trips, contributed to worthy art causes, welcomed new members, competed against each other and made the Fairfield Glade Art Guild what it is today …. a meeting place for extremely gifted and talented people who thoroughly enjoy helping out those less gifted. Fairfield Glade Art Guild continues on its original mission. It is a place to go to practice your art, feed your soul and have your spirits lifted.
– 1994 –
1985 – History of the Art Guild at Fairfield Glade
Author – probably Audrey Paul
The Facility on Wiltshire Heights
Al Mayberry taught in the little back room; upstairs was ceramics. He hung art on the walls much as now.
When ceramics left, we were told by the head of the Recreation Department that the upstairs room was ours to use, but the agreement was not in writing. We ended up battling over the arrangement for over a year, but finally were able to use the room on Tuesday for open painting and meetings.
When Al could no longer do it, the group of 6 regulars asked the Recreation Department to find someone to conduct a class. I was asked to do it but couldn’t as I played golf that day. They then hired Elizabeth Hill who promptly moved to a more convenient date for her – Monday. A user fee for the room was charged. Elizabeth bought many supplies charging the Guild for her purchases on her charge account.
Our supplies for sale became very large so we decided to go “out of business” and sold off or gave to the High School to liquidate. We bought 12 stools (3 were donated) for use by the watercolor painters. We put up the tool board and made a mirror reflector (Le Voss). The shrink wrap machine was purchased (thanks to Claudia Kirkpatrick); it was paid for by the Budget Show.
We never had use of 75% of the building as we didn’t use the craft room, consignment room (now the library). For years it was used as a framing area run by June Pittman. When we moved classes upstairs, the back corner room was the lunch room, office and, for a time, a framing center for an outside agency. The large room upstairs was run by the Recreation Department which also used 2 smaller rooms for plaster cast-making and storage. The large room was also used for water, storage, etc. Even our shrink-wrap room was used to store paint and Christmas supplies. Our library leaked, smelled and was moldy.
So, counting the walk space used by all, stairs and bathrooms (small area by ladies room was used by Rec Dept. also) – I doubt we used 50% of the available space. We were asked to pay part of the utilities, but thinking we were an amenity, refused to charge commissions but agreed to host the gallery when open.
When Sandy Echard was president and I was treasurer (3 years), we met with Alice Gunderson then on the FFG Board. When she heard we put in all those hours free, she said we did contribute our share as the Rec Dept. would need to hire someone if we didn’t.
The Arts & Crafts was always separate from the Art Guild. They controlled the building, but we decided what to hang and [decided on] show dates (they did provide ribbons for shows). When baskets of note cards, prints and unframed art hung on the walls, the Art Guild made the decision not to have them unless for the profit of the Art Guild.
When Jo Hitchens and I did a Fall Show, we had a hard time saying “no copies out of ‘How to Books.’” It’s always been a fuss about the division of artists’ abilities, size, etc.
[FFG Community Club decided to move their Arts and Crafts division to the Multi-Purpose Building.]
2002 – January: Meeting with Mike Dick, the GM of Fairfield Glade Community Club. There were two options for use of the building. The following decisions were made:
1. Purchase of a tent for advertising.
2. AG began to take 20% of sales
3. First Golf Tournament took place – earned $1,400
4. $5 charged for “User” fee when using class room
5. Dues were raised to $30
6. License Plates were purchased and made available for sale to the public
7. Name was Changed [from Art Guild to the Art Guild at Fairfield Glade]
8. Building was open to other than Fairfield Glade residents
9. Picture Person began
10. Children’s classes held
In May, a general overhaul of the gallery began with enthusiasm! The main floor was almost complete.
2003 – Calendars canceled for this year.
– April – 2nd floor clean-up finished;
– Air conditioners are installed upstairs;
– grant money is secured by Dorothy Fueling for children’s classes and outside instructors;
– Joined the Chamber of Commerce and the Crossville Art Council
– Website started