As told by Jo-Ann (Reeve) Savas

My Father, Keith Reeve, was a Professor of Architecture at Auburn University. He taught me art from the age of five. Later, I worked at his architecture office, doing light rendering. I taught art privately during High School at Auburn. As an art student at Auburn University, I went to Europe for one year, which I spent traveling, painting and visiting Art Museums. Returning to Auburn, I studied and did practice teaching. I gained degrees in Art and Education in August 1956.

My parents had moved to Huntsville, and on graduation I came to live with them. I placed an advertisement in the Huntsville Times offering private Art lessons for adults, teenagers and children and started teaching right away.

Sharon Rhett was one of the people answering the ad. She stated she thought that there had been an Art organization in Huntsville in the 1930’s, but she was not sure. She discussed such an organization that she was familiar with in her home town. She and Eugenia Smith, Philip Mason, Elvira Glover and others, who called, expressed an interest in forming an Art organization. There was not an active organization in Huntsville at that time for promoting Art.

We had a meeting of people interested in January 1957 at my parents’ home. In April of 1957, I went to work as an Illustrator at Redstone Arsenal. For several months we kept meeting people with interest in an Art organization. We met briefly at the old Carnegie Library trying to get a feel of how much interest there was for such an organization. In October 1957 at the First Presbyterian Church, we had the first meeting with the purpose of developing an art organization.

There were about 30 interested people in attendance. Some of those in attendance were Jo-Ann Reeve, Sharon and Harry Rhett, Eugenia Smith, Philip Mason, Elvira Glover, Felix Newman, GerdDeBeek, Walt Weismen, Mary Derryberry, Anna Rosborough, Alvin Dreger, Louis Sammon, Dorothy Webb, Eldora Lorenzini, Minerva and Keith Reeve and others. Officers were elected and Louis Sammon was asked to prepare the organizational papers. It was decided to name the organization, “The Huntsville Art League,and Museum Association”or “HALMA”. Our objectives were to create more interest in art and to get an art museum erected. There was no art museum. I was elected president.

Other officers elected were: Elvira Glover first vice-president, Harry Rhett, Jr., second vice president, Gerd DeBeek third vice-president, Philip Mason parliamentarian, Mary Derryberry Secretary, Eldora Lorenini treasurer, Dorothy Webb custodian, Carolyn White, advisor, Louis Salmon, attorney, and Louise Smith, agent.

Standing committees were chaired by Maud Hale, Mrs. Ralph Ford, Eugenia Smith, Anna Rosborough, PIez Pollard, Minerva Reeve, Alvin Dreger, Sharon Rhett and Jean Martin.

Many art exhibits followed. Membership in HALMA began to grow. I continued to teach art, paint and exhibit my art. In the absence of an art museum, HAL exhibited in many places. The Lobby and windows of the new Huntsville Utilities Building was used several times. There, one Exhibit featured work by art professors from Auburn University and University of Alabama. Other exhibits were: The Grounds of the old Clinton Street School, the old Farmers Market at Big Spring, Huntsville High School during performances of the Huntsville Symphony, the old Carnegie Library, Dunnavants Mall, and Monte Sano State Park.

Timeline

1957

Huntsville Art League & Museum Association

The Huntsville Art League & Museum Association (HALMA) was founded as a local non-profit educational organization dedicated to the promotion and encouragement of art and creativity, with the ultimate goal of establishing a permanent Art Center for the citizens of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley.

1957

1958

First Art Exhibitions

In 1959, the first art exhibitions were held in the Huntsville Utilities Building. Over the years the organization continued meeting in various churches, schools, and businesses in the area.

1958

1959

The Clothesline Show

The 1959 Clothesline Show was held at Curb Market and drew over 3500 people. Admission to the show was $.025 for adults and $0.10 for children.

1959

1962

Visit by the Birmingham Museum of Art Director

The Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art came to speak to the club about the importance of having an art museum. State and local dignitaries were invited to attend.

1962

1964

Civic Center Feasibility Study Approved

A feasibility study for the Civic Center was approved by the Huntsville City Council. The study showed that Arts Council member organizations would be unable to make regular use of the Civic Center, returning them to a nomadic state.

1964

1968

League gets First Executive Director

George Jordan was the League’s first director, with his salary paid for by a $5000 ASCA grant.

1968

1968

Women’s Guild is Organized

The Women’s Guild of the Huntsville Art League and Museum Association was formed by Betty Grisham with the purpose of forming a liaison between the Art League and thecommunity, and to be supportive of the Huntsville Museum of Art when it was realized.

1968

1975

Museum Goal Realized

In 1975 the Huntsville Museum of Art was opened, however there was no room at the museum for HALMA, forcing a relocation to the Heart of Huntsville Mall.

1975

1976

HALMA Donates to Art Education

The Rahn Fund of $1,000 was given to the Huntsville-Madison County Library for books on art, with new books donated by HALMA added annually. 

1976

1979

On the Move Again

HALMA was given Housing at the Old Huntsville Middle School (Annie Merts Building), along with the Ballet, Fantasy Playhouse, Alabama Film Co-Op, and the Photo Society.

1979

1987

Again, On the Move

In 1986, HALMA was notified that the City Board of Education was to use the Annie Merts Center Building and they would have to relocate, finding a new home in 1987 in an old storefront on Jackson Way. Due to the smal space, activities began to lessen.

1987

1989

Name Changed to HAL

The Huntsville Art League and Museum Association officially changed its name to the Huntsville Art League.

1989

1989 and Onward

Continued Search for a Home

Over the years from 1989 onward, HAL found itself in a constant search for a location.  Locations included the Old Huntsville Depot, Parkway City Mall, The Clemens House, L&N Office Building, and finally the Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment Complex.

1989 and Onward

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