HISTORY: GALLERY 53 / MERIDEN ARTS & CRAFTS
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The 1711 Inn, site of Meriden Arts & Crafts Association's inaugural exhibit in 1906
1907 - 2020: A TRADITION OF AESTHETICS
What distinguishes Meriden from other Connecticut industrial cities? Besides a naturally beautiful setting, there’s a tradition of art, design, and aesthetics, evident in the city’s parks and public buildings, as well as the products designed and manufactured here. How did this tradition get started?
What distinguishes Meriden from other Connecticut industrial cities? Besides a naturally beautiful setting, there’s a tradition of art, design, and aesthetics, evident in the city’s parks and public buildings, as well as the products designed and manufactured here. How did this tradition get started?
Manufacturers began to flood Meriden in the early 1800s
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1800 - 1900: MERIDEN: THE SILVER CITY
In the early 1800’s, manufacturers began to flood the city, producing products such as pewter, guns, buttons, ivory combs, organs, coffee grinders, and of course, silver! Artists and designers flocked to Meriden to work in these industries. By the early 1900s, Meriden was a thriving industrial community. The city was home to enterprises that produced innovative and BEAUTIFUL products, including the first mechanical piano, cut glass, jewelry, lamps, and clocks. Meriden also became known for high quality printing and image reproduction, driven by the needs of the silver industry. |
Indianna Thomas, Founder, Meriden Arts & Crafts Association
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1906: INDIANNA THOMAS ORGANIZES ART EXHIBIT
So it was into this community of enterprise, innovation, and creativity in the early 1900’s that our organization came into being! As Meriden celebrated its’ centennial year in 1906, Helen Roby, a Meriden artist recently returned from Paris with a portfolio of watercolors, asked Miss Indianna Thomas to sponsor an exhibit of her work at the 1711 Inn. Miss Thomas was a multi-talented person: a soprano soloist who taught music and art appreciation, as well as a skilled needleworker. She organized an initial exhibit in 1906 which was followed by other exhibits that included Meriden artists and well-known artists from outside Meriden. Based on the success of these exhibits, Miss Thomas felt the strong need for a local arts organization and invited local artists to a series of meetings starting on December 7, 1907. On December 11, 1907, Meriden’s new arts group was christened: Arts & Crafts Association of Meriden. |
First formal meeting at Curtis Memorial Library on March 11, 1908
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1908 - 1946: LECTURES, EXHIBITS, BOOK FUND
The Arts & Crafts Association of Meriden held it’s first formal meeting at the Curtis Memorial Library on March 11, 1908. Mr. Edward Bradstreet succeeded Indiana Thomas as President. George M. Curtis presented a lecture on art. Beyond this initial meeting, ACAM sponsored exhibits and talks, contributed reproductions of art works to the public schools, and established the Indiana Thomas Memorial Book Fund to supply books on art to the public library. In 1917, ACAM dispensed with their annual exhibit due to WWI. A period of inactivity followed. However, the arts remained a core part of Meriden’s culture, and the organization was reactivated in April, 1933. Through the efforts of Mrs. Jay Connaway, the MacBeth Gallery of New York City offered to loan paintings for an exhibit in Meriden. The Meriden Woman’s Club agreed to sponsor the exhibit and Indiana Thomas was appointed chairman. The ACAM continued their activities and exhibits until the start of World War II in 1946. |
1956 - a year to celebrate! Meriden's 150th anniversary and ACAM's 50th Anniversary
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1956: 50TH ANNIVERSARY
A newly reinvigorated Arts and Crafts Association of Meriden resumed activities after World War II. Building on the organization’s post-war momentum, ACAM held their 34th Annual Exhibit, a retrospective showcasing works of former members and famous artists. The exhibit was held at Wilcox Technical School and visited by over 1,500 people. ACAM also marked their 50th Anniversary of Founding on October 15, 1956 (the same year Meriden celebrated its 150th anniversary). Members established a museum fund with the goal of purchasing or remodeling a building, which would allow ACAM to grow by having space for classes, permanent exhibits, and special projects. |
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1981 - 2020: CARRYING ON THE TRADITION AT 53 COLONY STREET!
In June of 1981, ACAM realized their goal of creating a dedicated space to foster the visual arts in Meriden! Spearheaded by then-president Irma Peckham Morse, the organization purchased the building at 53 Colony Street, a Romanesque-Revival style brick structure built in 1894 which originally housed the Butler Paint Company. This purchase allowed ACAM to expand the classes, exhibits, lectures which had been held at local schools and businesses. The nickname “Gallery 53” - taken from the building address - was eventually formalized as organization’s name. |
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As we celebrate our 116th year, Gallery 53 is proud to carry on the tradition of fostering art, design, and aesthetics in Meriden!
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Gallery 53 would like to thank Cheryl Weston and Sally Kamerbeek for their hours of research into the history of ACAM / Gallery 53!
* Would you like Gallery 53 to present this material to your community group? Email your request!
For more information on Meriden history, contact the Meriden Historical Society!
Photos: 1711 House and Curtis Memorial Library, www.wikiwand.com/en/Meriden,_Connecticut
