One Last Hurrah
by Maryann Miller

After twenty-six years of service to the community, the Art League of Winnsboro is officially disbanding. "Membership has dwindled so in recent years," said President, Joan Gannaway. "And so many of the current members are starting to have health problems that keep them from being as active as they used to be."

"Used to be" for the League included a membership that would fill the meeting room at the old Winnsboro Bank and Trust - seventy-plus members. A young and vibrant organization, the League was involved with, or sole sponsors of many projects that benefited the city, including acquiring the cement planters along Main Street. They also started the first window-decorating contest during Autumn Trails and sponsored the first Halloween Haunted House in Winnsboro. "We worked with the volunteer fire department and high school students on that project," said Frances Mack, who was the treasurer this year. "That was a lot of fun and it was our most successful fundraiser."

"It was also a lot of hard work," Joan added with a laugh. "That's why we turned it over to the fire department and the young people the next year."

Other fundraisers included a style show, luncheon and auction that was held at the Country Club initially and then moved to Memorial Middle School. Fashions were from the Bandbox in Winnsboro. "It was always quite a nice event," said Jane Seward who was one of the original members in 1977 and was this year's secretary. "I especially liked that and the teas we used to have."

The money raised through these efforts went to a number of worthy causes including: scholarships, decorations for schools, ceiling fans for the Depot, a glass display case for the school art department, and donations to support the efforts of other community and civic organizations.

The organization was formed to support and develop the arts in Winnsboro and many of the members were artists. Their work brightened the walls at the First National Bank, the Chamber of Commerce, the schools, library, and area nursing homes. For many years the League also collected student art and arranged for it to be displayed at the First National Bank and the Chamber.

This past May, the current membership, which consists of: Martha Day, Marylin Dow, Joan Gannaway, Margie Griffin, Frances Grubbs, Pauline Henson, Cleo Hood, Barbara Lester, Frances Mack, Bettye Parker, Shirley Parker, Evelyn Richie, Lila Sparkman, Jane Steward, Oleta Turner, and JoAnne White, voted to disband. "It broke our hearts," said Joan Gannaway. "But we didn't want to fight a losing battle."

For two years the women struggled to hold the organization together. They passed out flyers, held a luncheon, and solicited potential members from their churches and/or other organizations they belonged to - all to no avail. "But it's not just the Art League that is losing members," Joan said. "People are just getting out of clubs. I don't understand it."

It is a sad moment for a town when a venerable organization ceases to exist, but the sadness is tempered by recent generous donations. To close down their treasury, the League gave $175.00 to the middle school and high school to pay for supplies for students to work on the Sesquicentennial mural. Members also voted to donate $917.58 to the city of Winnsboro for the purchase of new banners for the downtown district. As their last community service they have agreed to serve on the selection committee to choose the banners.

Since the League normally took summers off, the full impact of disbanding won't hit the members until fall, but they plan to stay busy in other organizations and maintain the friendships that have formed. "We're just sorry that a club that has been around for so long has to close for lack of interest," said Joan.

A plaque, designed by League member, JoAnne White was recently presented to Gilbreath Memorial Library so people won't soon forget that Winnsboro had an Art League. The plaque commemorates the purpose of the League and the many contributions it made to the community.