In
June of 2006, a local hand-casting paper artist and Laveen Resident, Michael Dicken, placed an add in the local Laveen News. Page 8 proudly displayed an inviting clipart of an artist’s easel, palate, and
brushes while the text beckoned local artists to become part of the Laveen’s first art organization. The article boasted a mission statement: “…for
the purpose of exhibiting art work, conducting workshops, and the exchanging of ideas.”
During the group’s first meeting on August
7th, 2006, Dicken was quickly voted President and the Laveen Art
League was born. Shortly thereafter, the once black-and-white clip art icon was
transformed into the League’s logo that is used today. The energetic five,
red paint brush strokes formed an intertwining “L-A-L” standing for the “Laveen Art League.”
Since
the first meeting, the group has grown from a handful to 30+ enthusiastic members to-date.
Comprised of various artistic talent, the League has exhibited works of artists and crafters of a variety of media
in both 2 and 3 Dimensional work. The League has since become a diverse group
that creates and exhibits various talents through Painting, Sculpture, Photography,
Fine Crafts, Jewelry, Illustration, Book Binding, Paper Casting and more.
The
League has shown both collaborative and solo works of its members in venues such as the:
Ceasar Chavez Library, Glendale Annual Arts Show, Brio Fine Art Center in Scottsdale, Laveen Annual Fair, and the Grace Lutheran Church Art Now Exhibit and Benefit, a part of the First Fridays
as a Downtown Phoenix monthly art event.
The League’s group exhibits show the strongest works of its members in a delicious
variety of mediums, styles, and dimensions… yet all works are unified by one chosen theme of the group for new, challenging
subject matter each quarter. This exciting group effort heightens the community’s
awareness of local fine art and motivates the members to create new contemporary works.
The first show themed The Horse of Many Colors at the opening of the Ceasar Chavez Library
was a great success and received tremendous interest from local patrons. The
second exhibit was the League’s first show outside of Phoenix, and its largest yet. Just Miniatures, an exhibit to
celebrate the power and beauty of small subjects presented works no larger than 6”x6”x6” at the BRIO Fine Arts Center in Scottsdale. Due to the intrigue of this unusual theme, the group enjoyed great public interest and sold several
works.
The
LAL meets the 3rd Monday of every month and welcomes all new members, regardless of medium or location, to attend. Each gathering is unique as the League rotates the meetings between member’s
homes. During these discussions, the hosting member gives a casual tour of their
studio space and share current work with the group. The host may include an art
demonstration to introduce different art mediums to other members.
Our
current officers are: Michael Dicken, President ; Jon Sanborn, Treasurer ; Sandy
Hicks, Secretary ; Heather Dabrowski, Joint Vice President of Public Relations ; Tia Kalla, Joint Vice President of Public
Relations.
Membership
is $25.00 each year per member. Applications and details about the organization
and current artists can be obtained through the LAL’s website: http://www.laveenartleague.org or by contacting the League’s President, Michael Dicken at: (602)237-4502. DICKENMC@AOL.COM for further information.
