Origin:
Organized on Nov. .6th, 1939 under the auspices of the
Johnson Free Public Library with 24 charter members.
Oldest art club in Bergen County. Incorporated in 1952.
Designated a non-profit organization.   

Purpose:
To promote interest in the fine and applied arts in Hackensack and surrounding communities. 28 communities are represented in present membership of 100 persons.
 
Goals:
To heighten artistic outreach;
To provide several opportunities each year to the membership and to the general public to enhance appreciation of beauty and to encourage each person's creativity;.
To provide quality educational programming to increase personal skills and satisfaction in the creative act;
To create an atmosphere that inspires personal fulfillment through the support of other artists and teachers;
To be a democratic organization welcoming all persons without respect to race, creed, color, physical or artistic ability. 

Programs:
Monthly meetings take place Mondays from September through June. A business meeting is followed by fellowship, refreshments, a mini art show an art demonstration or critique by a well known Northeastern artist, teacher, or club member. Yearly dues are presently $30 per year.
All members are given several opportunities to exhibit their work before the public: an indoor exhibit in the Spring (open to the public at no fee, this is a jury two day show for members only with many prizes and awards); an outdoor exhibit and sale in the fall; an exhibit at the Johnson Library in the Winter, as well as at several banks in Bergen County throughout the season. Many members participate in the Van Saun Park Art Show in the summer and in exhibits at the West Wing Gallery, Court House Plaza, Hackensack.
Workshops, where members paint together and share advice and expertise, are provided twice weekly: Monday evenings (except meetings nights), 7:00 to 9:30 PM where non-members are invited; Tuesday from 10 am to 2 PM for club members only. Frequently there is a special all day workshop under the tutelage of a renowed artist.
A monthly bulletin gives club news and notice of artistic events through
the state.
Educational/ Social opportunities are provided by small group trips to
museums, gardens historic sites.
The club has an annual Christmas dinner/ dance and seasonal celebrations also take place in the workshops. 

Community Service
Members have acted as judges in art competitions; painted murals on the walls of the Holly Center; given a workshop at King's Kids Academy in the Hackensack; donated paintings to municipalities; annually provide an art exhibit at Johnson library; teach classes at community schools and
privately. 

Long Range Objectives:
To maintain the quality programming to which members are accustomed. This is in jeopardy due to ever higher honorariums required for demonstrators. To biannually conduct in-depth workshops taught by nationally respected artist to increase our skills and attract new members. To make art education bus trips available, especially to a number of handicapped members. To provide a yearly scholarship to a worthy high school art student.
To see appropriate facilities for the club's functions provided free of charge by the state or a municipality.