What started as some local artists hanging their work up on the Guilford Green has grown and evolved over the years into a diverse art league with a popular art show. Now celebrating 70 years in town, the Guilford Art League is still focusing on promoting the arts in town and getting ready for its annual Juried Exhibition & Sale this September.

The league (not to be confused with the Guilford Art Center, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year) was founded in 1947 after local artists used a makeshift fence on the Guilford Green to exhibit their work. The goal of the league is to promote interest in the arts, support artists of all ages and abilities, and host exhibitions for artist across the state. The league is made up of close to 170 members, nearly all of whom are artists.

While the number of activities or social events for members have dwindled a bit over the years, the league still host three major exhibitions a year—two member shows and one juried competition.

The Annual Juried Exhibition & Sale is celebrating 70 years this year along with the league. Member Susie Capezzone said the event has continued to grow in popularity over the years.

“It is open to all artists 18 and above in Connecticut,” she said. “You don’t have to be a member. We generally get about 270 submissions and we pick about 100 between paintings and sculptures to display in the show.”

There are monetary prizes for winners provided by the art league and various merchants along the shoreline. Capezzone said the jurors tend to be well-known artists or professors.

The exhibition is held at the Guilford Art Center’s Mill Gallery. Entries should be delivered by Sunday, Sept. 9, an awards reception is Friday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m., and pick-up dates for entries varies depending upon whether the piece was selected. Each artist can enter two pieces of work.

Beyond the exhibitions, Capezzone said the league tries to stay true to its mission of supporting the arts through scholarships. The league provides one scholarship through Guilford High School for advanced studies in visual arts and another through the Shoreline Arts Alliance.

While the league tries to contribute to the future of art, Capezzone said the league, now coming up on 70 years, wants to learn a little more about its history. The league is looking for help identifying some of the original league members in the photo on page 12.

“I thought it might be cool to ask the question, ‘Does anyone know who these people are?’ We don’t have a lot of history because we don’t know who the past presidents were really and so I just though somebody might recognize them and be able to identify them,” she said.

To identify someone in the photo or for more information on the 70th annual Juried Exhibition & Sale, email Susie Capezzone at capezzonedesign@gmail.com