Our History

During the 1930’s a group of artisans gathered to share their interests in the arts, and Mrs. H.J. (Ethyl) Bolinger, artist and benefactor, perceived a need for a gallery and dedicated gallery space on Pine Street to the "Lodi Art Club." Mr. and Mrs. Alby Lind, owners of the building, donated the rent.

During the 1940’s the "Lodi Art Club" became the "The Lodi Community Art Center," often shortened to Lodi Art Center. In August, 1960 the organization was incorporated (501c) as "The Lodi Community Art Center," a non profit educational organization "to encourage an interest in, and study of, the arts." When the property was sold in 1962, meetings were held at a house at 107 W. Lockeford Street.

The organization then moved to the renovated Old Lodi Union High School at Hutchins Street square in 1982, first to the locker room and then to the old music room. In 1996 the organization left Huchins Street square to make space for additional reconstruction to the theater and fine arts building.

The Art Center was offered space on Ham lane in Lakewood Mall and stayed there until it had to move once again. A nice home at Vino Piazza in Lockeford was short-term due to zoning laws. After several years on Church Street in Downtown Lodi the center returned to Lakewood Mall, where it had a studio and attractive gallery. Finally, the Art Center moved to its current location at 110 W Pine Street map, where visitors can enjoy a beautiful gallery with studio space in the back.

Prior to World War 2, the Lodi Art center`s first Art Annual show was held at the Lodi grape festival Grounds. The second Art Annual show was in the foyer of the Lodi Women`s Club.

By 1965 the Art Annual was held at Barengo Winery and displayed the paintings on the old wine barrels. During its Hutchins Street Square years, the Art Annuals were held there. Beginning with the 38th Art Annual in 1997, the show has been held at the Woodbridge by Mondavi Winery in Woodbridge and has become a major cultural event for the area.

A February 1958 photograph on the newly organized Lodi Community Art Center. The sketch class is meeting at 14-1/2 Pine Street, upstairs in old downtown, where the group had a meeting place and gallery during its early years. Ethel Bolinger, Maryly Wallof, Leslie Wiederrich, Julie Nordquist, Carl Klafke, and Richard Hieb are pictured according to the Lodi news Sentinel.

The Lodi Community Art Center has gained Statewide and national recognition for our members achievements and contributions to the community. Many blue ribbons have been brought to Lodi by the members and the organization continues to reach out to the community with shows, demonstrations, and speakers.

Adapted from "The Lodi Community Art Center, Past and present" by Virginia Rippey.

* As an addendum to this history we might add that in the days prior to the Lodi Arts Commission and the Lodi Arts Fund, it was the Lodi Department of parks and Recreation which often provided cooperation and support to projects of the Lodi Community Art Center, an independent non profit 502(c)(3) corporation made up of artist and art supporters.


The 1984 Brush-Off Competition

Lodi Community Art Center artists competed against Stockton Art League painters doing a quick work of art in tempera paint. The topic was always drawn from a list of suggestions, and the three artist who painted for each team were given only a couple of minutes to plan, then they each had a turn at the painting, relay style, with a timer running.   I would guess the topic for this set of paintings was the Clements Stampede rodeo, with the horse and rider by LCAC and a rodeo clown by SAL.

1997 Art Show among the barrels at Barengo Winery in Acampo, where the Lodi Spring Art Annual was held for many years.


PRESIDENTS OF THE LODI COMMUNITY ART CENTER

2022-2024

Patti Kennedy

2013-2022

JC Strote

2011-2013

Richard Allen

1st & 2nd Terms

2010-2011

Suzie Wilbourne

2010-2010

Deborah Morgan

2008-2010

Caroline Henry

2nd & 3rd Terms

2007-2008

Chris Kralj

Moved to Lakewood Mall

2005-2007

Lisa Goldman

2002-2005

Patti Wallace

1st, 2nd & 3rd Terms

Moved to Lockeford & Church St

2001-2002

Gladys O’Keefe

2000-2001

Caroline Henry

1st Term

1999-2000

Phyllis Marts

1997-1999

Eunice Jewart

1st & 2nd Term

1996-1997

Cynthia Irwin

Moved to Lakewood Mall

1995-1996

Vice President Lydia Peters

1994-1995

Delores Levy

3rd Term

1993-1994

Joan Lehman

1992-1993

Leland Choy

1991-1992

Jon Withers

1990-1991

Leslie Christianer

1989-1990

Victor Gillet

2nd Term

1988-1989

Delores Levy

2nd Term

1987-1988

Dolly Sellers

3rd Term

Moved to Hutchins Sr Square

1986-1987

Bob Klein

1985-1986

Pearl Sanguinetti

1984-1985

Ed Hensley

1983-1984

Donna Korphage

3rd Term

1982-1983

Edith Purvis

1980-1982

Donna Korphage

1st & 2nd Terms

1978-1980

Dolly Sellers

1st & 2nd Terms

1977-1978

Sharan McLaughlin

1976-1977

Bill Chapman

2nd Term

1975-1976

Kathleen Terra

Non-profit status 3/1976

1974-1975

Delores Levy

1st Term

1973-1974

Alva Fransen

1972-1973

Victor Gillet

1st Term

1971-1972

Marily Wallof

2nd Term

1970-1971

Bill Chapman

1st Term

1969-1970

Jo Schleicher

1968-1969

Floyd Nordwick

1967-1968

Zelma Meek

1966-1967

Marguerite Allot

1965-1966

Surdez

1964-1965

Marily Wallof

1st Term

1963-1964

Bob Johnson

1962-1963

Melva Zweigle

1961-1962

Edger Richards

1960-1961

Marion Adams

1st Annual Art Show

1959-1960

Julia Nordquist

Incorporated 8/23/1960

1958-1959

Richard Hieb

1955-1958

Unknown