club history

The Parkland Art League began in 1963 at the termination of an adult art class held at Parkland high school. Eight students weren't ready to disband due to the camaraderie and support they enjoyed with each other. They decided to form the Parkland Art League. The original group were Isabelle France (Treasurer), Erna Rutz (Vice-president), Mary Maguire ( Secretary), Eleanor Haas, Ann Diehl (Hudsco), Pearl Snyder, Mary Herring (President) and Katherine Seisler. Dues were $3.00 a year and the group met at the South Whitehall Township Building. Other meeting sites included: Wehr's Dam, the Parkland Jaycees Building, Luther Crest Retirement Community, Lehigh Valley Active Life Allentown, the Macungie Institute and most recently St. Anne's Episcopal Church 6667 Lower Macungie Rd, Trexlertown PA.

Early display venues for club members included: the Allentown Fairgrounds, Sears, Plaza Theater Lobby, Whitehall Township Building, LV Trust, Kempton Railroad, Lehigh Co. Cultural Center, Southern Lehigh High School, Cement Belt Fair, Rodale Manufacturing, Plantation House, Emmaus and Parkland Libraries, Dorney Park, Whitehall Westgate and Trexler Malls, the Allentown Outlet, Merchants and IVB Banks and Allentown College of St. Francis de sales.

Current Display Venues are: Dr. Jeffrey Grove, Optometrist, 184 Main St., Emmaus, PA , Kalmbach Memorial Park, 200 Cotton St., Macungie, PA, Luther Crest Gallery, 800 Hausman Rd., Allentown, PA, Stony Run Winery, 150 Independent Rd., Breinigsville, PA 18031, Art Schneck Optical 720 Harrison St., Emmaus, PA, Lower Macungie Library, 3450 Brookside Rd., Macungie, PA .

In 1969, Henry Stettler's painting " Guth's Bridge" was chosen as a permanent gift for South Whitehall Township.

The League celebrated their 20 anniversary in 1983 when President Marjorie Ryan honored the past presidents with a lifetime membership to the Parkland Art League. In 1998, President Betty Allender honored nine past presidents at the 35 th year anniversary the Parkland Art League. In 1984, the club received a non-profit designation by the IRS.

Presidents of the Parkland Art League

1963-1964 Mary Herring

1965-Eleanor Haas (Klinger)

1966-1970 Phyliss Schattner

1971-1972 Ivy Kuhns

1973-1974 William Rehm

1975-1976 Joseph Miklos

1977-1978 Charles Edwards

1979-1980 Lillian Loux

1981-1982 Cleo Jackson

1983-1984 Marjorie Ryan

1985-1986 Kay Peters