AAPL Election

Not long ago I posted here about a piece being accepted by the American Artists Professional League for their Spring Online Member Show. Like many such organizations, an artist can join as an associate in order to submit to the show jury, which is what I did. The organization is less well-known than some but has been around for a long while. In the event the piece I submitted, "By the Creek," was selected for the exhibition.

"MacDougal Street," oil on canvas, 18x36, 2018

The American Artists Professional League is a nearly century-old organization of professional artists. The League grew from a handful of members of the Salmagundi Club in New York and a few at the National Academy of Design, to promote professional artists and traditional realism. Another stated goal was furthering American art. They also worked to improve the chemical and physical purity of artists pigments and eventually helped set governmental standards.The League sponsors an annual Grand National Exhibition (shown at Salmagundi) that draws nationwide attention. While associate membership only requires no credentialing plus a small fee, an artist applicant must be elected. Today the organization has more than 400 members, mostly professionals.

As in many professions, membership in relevant art organizations can be very useful, providing access to fellow artists, continuing education, exhibition opportunities, and so on. After considerable thought and review of the stated mission and goals, I submitted an application for Elected Artist in the League a few weeks back and am delighted to report that notice just arrived of my acceptance. Next year, I'll enter the Grand National Exhibition, which is limited to elected members.