History of the Portland
Fine Arts Guild

Virgina C. Koch Swanson, born  Portland, Oregon, had a dream.  To help that dream come true she called together some neighborhood artists.
On May1, 1969, she arranged  a meeting at her home.  The following twenty one persons, who wanted to hear more about her idea attended:
1. Robert Adame                   8. Margaret Kallas               15. Shaela Needles
2. Mary Christofferson          9. sharon Kramer                 16. Helen Price
3. Rosemarie Davis             10. Helen Krebs                     17. Fred Sanchez
4. Doreen Fast                    11. Mary Lou Lande               18. Margo Sieverson
5. Florence Guidici               12. Ilak McAlpine                    19. Virgina Swanson
6. Betty Haskett                  13. Olive Noodenbaugh         20. Hazel Warner
7. Eileen Horton                  14. Sue Moore                        21. Hazel Wonacott

Virgina wanted a place for the residents of Northeast Portland, who were interested in the arts, to meet - a place where one would be provided with assistance and exchange of ideas, to organize art exhibits and programs, to encourage and promote the artists work, and to stimulate art interest in the Northeast Portland community.  With this in mind, Virgina arranged a meeting in her home and explained her aims for a Guild, and they were accepted as a good starting place.  The above persons made a $1.00  donation and are the charter members who took the first step of many to try to help Virgina get her dream of a Northesast Guild going.  But dreams cost money, so a special art exhibit was held at Sanchez School on May 13th through June 19, 1969. Some of the proceeds were donated to a fund for the Guild.  Hazel Wonacott had the first sale, so the title of Honoraey Member was given to her.

Meetings were held at: 
1. 1840 N.E.114th (home of the founder)
2. Sanchez School of Music, Art and Dance
3. Sketch Box ArtGallery
4. Saints Peter and Paul Episcopal Church

Virginia lead the group. But as it started to grow she wanted another person  to head the group.  Thelma Hobbs was elected to do so, then Gloria DePaul, then Evelyn Hornbuckle.

Recognition

On October 5. 1972 Virginia's dream came true.  The By-laws and rules of the Portland Fine Arts Guild were born.  The Officers  Were:
Evelyn Hornbuckle, President                     Janet Giese, Treasurer
Shirley Rahn, 1st Vice President                 Suzanne McKay, Secretary
Ester Watts, 2nd Vice President                 Margret Kallas, Parliamentarian
Virgina SWanson, Historian

The Portland Fine Arts Guild held their meeting on the first Thursday on each month at 7:30 PM, at Saints Peter and Paul  Episcopal Church,  S.E. Pine and 82nd Street, Portland, Oregon.  Suzanne Mckay and Janet Giese published the first  monthly bulletin.

Corporation

On October 8,1973, the Portland Fine Arts Guild Inc.  Received a Non-profit Employer Identification  from the Internal Revenue. We are now classified as an Educational Organization to Promote the Arts.

Those who helped the Portland Fine Arts Guild Inc. grow are too numerous to name, and due to their efforts  the Guild offers one of the finest services the artist could desire.  It gives exposure to artists who might not, otherwise, have an outlet for displaying their work.  It also gives  the community an opportunity  to view fine art

The Portland Fine Art Guild is a non-profit  corporation whose primary goals are to promote fine art in the Portland area, to provide the artist with art outlets in group exhibits and shows, to sponsor workshops for members and the public, and to serve the Portland area and artist in any way that contributes to the cultural and art world.