Lyme Art Exhibition Poster

Poster by George M. Bruestle 

Lyme artists began exhibiting their work annually at the local library in 1902. This initial two-day exhibition is considered to be America's first summer art show and it is for this reason that the Lyme Art Colony has been referred to as the 'original' summer art colony or as artist Gregory Smith called it, "the oldest organized art colony in the country."*

Although summer art colonies certainly existed in America before the Lyme Art Colony was established, not only did Lyme become the largest and, "most talked about art colony"** during the height of the Impressionist movement in America, but due to its influence on American landscape painting, Lyme also became, "one of the most important."*** 
Next Page
 
Main Page | American Impressionism | Lyme Art Colony | Lyme_Art_Today
* Interview with Gregory Smith, former President of the Lyme Art Association at 78 years of age, ca. October 1, 1958. (LAA Folder 17, Lyme Historical Society Archives).
** Lillian Baynes Griffin, "With the Old Lyme Art Colony" New Haven Journal Courier July 5, 1908.
*** Unidentified newspaper article, ca.1916, "Old Lyme, A Favorite Resort for Artists for Two Decades" Metcalf Papers, Archives of American Art (microfilm reel N70-13, frame 536).
Send questions or comments to: ML@LymeArt.com
© Copyright 1997 ~ Michael Lloyd ~ All Rights Reserved