South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã General Federation of Women’s Clubs

In 1940, an exhibit of Ada Caldwell’s artwork prompted the idea of a permanent art museum with the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Ten years later a resolution was approved asking that a building be erected. Since the early 20th century, the SDGFWC had been central in building art appreciation within the state. The Club collected fine reproductions, original artwork and objects for circulation among study clubs. This collection became the second donation to the Museum, after the Dunn paintings. Included in the GFWC Collection is the Thomas Hart Benton work In the Ozarks featured as the 1970 piece in "50 Works for 50 Years: Collections Retrospective."

For twenty years the SDGFWC remained a central force in the fundraising and organization of what would become the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum. The SDGFWC continues to be an important supporter of the museum. In 2019, the Brookings GFWC donated funds toward an acquisition in honor of former museum director, Lynn Verschoor.

South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã General Federation of Women’s Clubs check for $55,000 presented to SDSU President Hilton Briggs
Representatives of the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Federation of Women's Clubs presenting a $55,000 check to President Briggs for the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Memorial Art Center at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University; front left to right: Alta Tillman, Cynthia Pankow and President Briggs.
June 1, 1968
Credit: SDSU Archives
GFWC Dedication plaque inside the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum
GFWC Dedication plaque
Inside the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum.
South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Federation of Women's Club Gallery
South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Federation of Women's Club Gallery
South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Art Museum