1964-2014:  Fifty Years of Art!

The James River Art League is one of the oldest art groups in Richmond.  It was organized in 1964 by members of a painting class taught by Helen Hull Bailey. Through her persuasion, an art league was formed south of the James River; early meetings were held in a small white house on the grounds of Westover Hills School.  The membership grew and soon the League included artists from both sides of the James River.  Today, JRAL remains anchored in Greater Richmond, although we have members from throughout Central Virginia.

A year-long celebration of JRAL's 50 years of art during 2014 featured special exhibits, events, community gifts, and commemorative materials such as "James River Art League: 50 Years of Art" -- a book chronicling the Art League's rich past and lively present.  The 50th Anniversary culminated with a gala party on October 16, 2014, at Richmond Country Club, attended by over 100 members and guests, including "JRAL's Godmother" Helen Bailey, charter member Chuck Larivey, and the families of charter members Olive Louise Bono, Lilian Davis, and William Youngblood.

Click here to read "James River Art League: 50 Years of Art."

Please visit our Anniversary News Archive pages to learn about other features of JRAL's anniversary year.

JRAL's 50th Anniversary Party on October 16, 2014, 
at Richmond Country Club

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JRAL's 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee

Co-Chairs
 Lois Shipley
 Gigi Vranian

Committee
Betty Brinser, Betty Eddowes, Elizabeth Hood, Stella Jones, Mary Kent, Rosemary McKnight, Annie Negus, Pam Roach, Diana Robinson, Suzanne Spooner-Munch, Mike Steele, Nancy Tucker, Karen Witthoefft