Monroe Art League
About The League
The Monroe Art League was founded in September of 1959 by a group of local artists interested in encouraging artistic talent and appreciation of fine art in the community. The mission of the League is to promote fine art in Monroe County, to encourage artistic talent, be a showcase for our members and their work, and to stimulate art appreciation within the community.
Over the past 60+ years, the Monroe Art League (MAL) hosted exhibitions in various venues, generated art-related activies open to the public (such as classes and scholarships awards to high school students), and supported community events (such as a Members Only Juried Show, held at the Ellis Library & Reference Center).
The Monroe area is fortunate to have many talented artists in the community and we invite all artists and artisans in Monroe and her surrounding areas to join us. Visitors and new members are always welcome!
The MAL meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the United Way building: 216 N Monroe St, Monroe, MI, 48162
The Monroe Art League is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Contributions are tax deductible.
“Art washes away from the
soul the dust of everyday life.”
- Pablo Picasso -
The Monroe Art LeagueAngie Terrasi Archives
One of the league's founding members, and general secretary of the MAL, will be posthumously honored on July 22, 2023 with the official Monroe Art League Angie Terrasi Archives housed at the Ellis Library & Reference Center.
After the official announcement, the archives will be open for the public by appointment through the Reference Center.
Questions on how that's done?
Give Ellis a call at 734-241-5277 and when the circulation staff answers, asked to be sent to the reference desk!
A Look Into History
In August 1959, a group of approximately twelve art enthusiasts met in an empty apartment on E. Front Street in Monroe, MI. The room was bare, with no bulbs in the light fixtures; it was only lit by overcast, late evening skies. It was the first ever Monroe Art League Studio.
All members could use the studio at will, bringing with them a chair, table, easel, lamp, and any other art supplies they needed. They agreed to pay for the studio by donating an art piece and selling it during one of the Spot Shows they'd host.
They additionally decided to open up the League to the public in the form of classes, and host open-houses and art exhibits at the Loranger Square Park (where the gazebo now stands), the Park Hotel, and the Masonic Temple.
As time went on, and the Monroe Art League outgrew the apartment studio, so they rented other apartments and buildings until founding member Fran Maedel
allowed the use of her home studio, where to this day, members can get together to paint, draw, and socialize outside of the monthly meetings at the United Way building.
The MAL owes a lot of its history to Fran Maedel and Angie Terrasi (who kept accurate records from 1969 onwards), both of whom were honored by the MAL in the form of a Scholarship
at Monroe County Community College and archives
at the Ellis Library & Reference Center.
Our Members-Only Ellis Library & Reference Show
To be held in October, the Monroe Art League will have a juried show, with awards, hosted at the Ellis Library & Reference Center on 3700 S. Custer. Entrants must be a member of the Monroe Art League; Alumni are welcome to enter as well! Art work will be open for public view!
More information will be released closer to the show.
Lifelong Learning from the League
The Monroe Art League offers many different life-long learning activities, for both members and the public! These actvities will be listed on our Events
calendar!
A quick look into them includes:
- Regular courses
- Workshops
- Brillance on a Budget
Get To Know Us!
The Monroe Art League is soaring ever-higher with each meeting--whether that be in the United Way Building, at a Local Showing, or just when the webmasters sit down for their monthly get-together to work on new things for the website and socials!
Coming Soon: More amazing website content! We just ask for your patience!
Find Us On Your Favorite Apps
While still under constrution, the Monroe Art League plans to take its place in the social media world soon, with dedicated appearences on Facebook, Instagram, Redbubble, and more!
We just ask for your patience while we get up to speed :)
Questions? Click Here!
We just ask for your patience while we get up to speed :)