History:
The Queen City during the 19th Century was the recognized art center of the west. Its apex period - in respect to both the number and eminence of artists and sculptors in residence - was reached between 1890-1900.
The Cincinnati Art Museum was inaugurated in 1886 and the Cincinnati Art Academy established in 1888. The artistic climate was therefore such that made the formation of a men's art club a somewhat predestined eventuality. Thus a group of thirteen artists, meeting in the studio of one Clarence A. Bartlett, on March 15th, 1890, organized an art club that was soon to adopt the name, The Cincinnati Art Club, with John Rettig as first president. To bring the charter member roster up to the more favorable number of fourteen, Bartlett's pet dog was duly elected to membership and so recorded in the minutes.Â
The original members attended a sketch group which met on a regularly basis and was famous for its painting demonstrations. From time to time artists donated these paintings to form the heart of the CAC collection. Through the years artists have continued to donate one of their finest works, and in the last 20 years past presidents have routinely given a painting to the club.
The sketch group remains one of the cornerstones of club activities. Models pose twice a week at no additional cost to attending artists. One of the highlighted shows of the year is the sketch group exhibition at the club with its top prize entitled the John Rettig Award.
From a charter-member roster of thirteen, the first printed roster in 1891-92 listed 32 Signature and 36 Associate members indicative of the Club's growth within its first year. The Art Club membership now numbers over four hundred: 43% Signature and 57% Associate Members.
