UPPER VALLEY ART LEAGUE
HISTORY
The Upper Rio Grande Valley Art League was organized in February of 1935 in McAllen, TX. It was affiliated with the Rio Grande Valley Federation of Women’s Clubs. The league’s objectives were three fold: to study art and cultivate an appreciation of art in the valley, to encourage the development of art in young artists, and to sponsor two or more annual art exhibits. The very first meeting was held at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. The organization adopted a pledge, a motto, and two symbols:
PLEDGE
Knowing that membership in this organization carries with it a duty, I pledge myself to be faithful to its interests, to always refrain from destructive criticism, to share its responsibilities, and to guard its reputation.
MOTTO
“All passes: Art alone endures”
SYMBOLS
Flower: Sunflower
Colors: Green and Yellow
The first appointed President was Mrs. Earl Trantham. The first year’s membership included: Mrs. Earl Trantham, Mrs. W. F. Robinson, Mrs. Kyler, Mrs. Lewis, Miss Bertha Adams (Ridderhoff), Mrs. F. E. Beth, Mrs. Walter Campbell, Miss Dorothy Campbell (McCullough), Mrs. R. M. Schmick, Mrs. P. M. Perkins, Mrs. Percy Herman, Miss McMurtry.
PAST PRESIDENTS
1935-Mrs. Earl Trantham
1936-Mrs. H. E. Kyler
1937-Mrs. J. T. Hempel
1938-Mrs. E. W. Shuman
1939-Mrs. W. P. Robinson
1940-Mrs. John Stahl
1941-Mrs. Walter Campbell
1942-Mrs. Cecil Robinson
1943-Miss Eugenia Sheppard
1944-Mrs. P. M. Perkins
1945-Mrs. Arthur Jury
1946-Mrs. J. T. Hempel
1947-Mrs. W. P. Robinson
1948-Mrs. P. M. Perkins
1949-Mrs. Walter Burden
1950-Mrs. Walter Burden
1951-Mrs. Walter Hatfield
Mrs. Hal M. Barrett
1976-Bess Hensley
1977-Bess Hensley
1980-Mr. Richard Rissmann
1981-Mrs. Jessie Taylor
1982-Mrs. Jessie Taylor
1983-Virginia Callaway
1986-Dorothy Dyer
1988-Edward J. Sandy/Delores Sandy
1989-Katy Kirtley
1992-Carrie Griesel/Katherine Cook
1993-Marion Bleile
1994-Norma Meadows
1995-Larry Nusser
1996-Carol Murphy
1997-Annette Fortson
1998-Maxilou Link
1999-Maxilou Link
2000-Denise Silcox
2001-Pat Chiaia
2003-Maxilou Link
2006-Present, Maxilou Link
UVAL moved into its location in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center at 921 E. 12th St., in Mission, TX in 2006.
HISTORY
The Upper Rio Grande Valley Art League was organized in February of 1935 in McAllen, TX. It was affiliated with the Rio Grande Valley Federation of Women’s Clubs. The league’s objectives were three fold: to study art and cultivate an appreciation of art in the valley, to encourage the development of art in young artists, and to sponsor two or more annual art exhibits. The very first meeting was held at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. The organization adopted a pledge, a motto, and two symbols:
PLEDGE
Knowing that membership in this organization carries with it a duty, I pledge myself to be faithful to its interests, to always refrain from destructive criticism, to share its responsibilities, and to guard its reputation.
MOTTO
“All passes: Art alone endures”
SYMBOLS
Flower: Sunflower
Colors: Green and Yellow
The first appointed President was Mrs. Earl Trantham. The first year’s membership included: Mrs. Earl Trantham, Mrs. W. F. Robinson, Mrs. Kyler, Mrs. Lewis, Miss Bertha Adams (Ridderhoff), Mrs. F. E. Beth, Mrs. Walter Campbell, Miss Dorothy Campbell (McCullough), Mrs. R. M. Schmick, Mrs. P. M. Perkins, Mrs. Percy Herman, Miss McMurtry.
PAST PRESIDENTS
1935-Mrs. Earl Trantham
1936-Mrs. H. E. Kyler
1937-Mrs. J. T. Hempel
1938-Mrs. E. W. Shuman
1939-Mrs. W. P. Robinson
1940-Mrs. John Stahl
1941-Mrs. Walter Campbell
1942-Mrs. Cecil Robinson
1943-Miss Eugenia Sheppard
1944-Mrs. P. M. Perkins
1945-Mrs. Arthur Jury
1946-Mrs. J. T. Hempel
1947-Mrs. W. P. Robinson
1948-Mrs. P. M. Perkins
1949-Mrs. Walter Burden
1950-Mrs. Walter Burden
1951-Mrs. Walter Hatfield
Mrs. Hal M. Barrett
1976-Bess Hensley
1977-Bess Hensley
1980-Mr. Richard Rissmann
1981-Mrs. Jessie Taylor
1982-Mrs. Jessie Taylor
1983-Virginia Callaway
1986-Dorothy Dyer
1988-Edward J. Sandy/Delores Sandy
1989-Katy Kirtley
1992-Carrie Griesel/Katherine Cook
1993-Marion Bleile
1994-Norma Meadows
1995-Larry Nusser
1996-Carol Murphy
1997-Annette Fortson
1998-Maxilou Link
1999-Maxilou Link
2000-Denise Silcox
2001-Pat Chiaia
2003-Maxilou Link
2006-Present, Maxilou Link
UVAL moved into its location in the Kika de la Garza Fine Arts Center at 921 E. 12th St., in Mission, TX in 2006.
