The Beginning. Charlie Carlson saw the development of a cultural renaissance in southern Chester County; it included book clubs, garden clubs, sewing clubs. So, Carlson and John Roberts, an Oxford businessman, decided to start an art club. Carlson gave it about six months to live because of the lack of interest in art in the area, but they perservered. Early on they met in the Gas-Oil Products building in Oxford, then in members' homes and finally the Oxford Grange Hall. When they left the Grange Hall after the building was sold to the U.S. Post Office, the Union Fire Company (Oxford) rented their third floor hall to them, but they were eventually evicted when conflicting internal commitments arose. The OAA leaders searched for a permanent home, and they discovered the abandoned pump house on the Octoraro Creek.

Pine Grove Covered Bridge & pump house at Octoraro Creek

The Organization. Charlie Carlson never served in any official operational capacity of the organization. But he was its driving force during his lifetime, and art was firmly established as its focus. In 1948, John Roberts was elected as the first president, and immediately a set of By Laws was written and $4 annual dues was established. At the second meeting, the title of "Honorary President" was conferred on Carlson, and he held that title for the rest of his life. During the early meetings, art instruction was a major focus. By the end of 1948 monthly supper meetings and public art exhibits were instituted. At its very beginning, the OAA and its members participated in Oxford public activities, such as the annual Halloween Festival. The OAA continued to grow as an organization, despite early pessimism by some. In 1989, the OAA was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in Pennsylvania and granted tax exempt status. In 1991, Charlie Carlson died, but the OAA continued on as strongly as ever. In 2004, the name was officially changed to "Charles X. Carlson Octoraro Art Association" to honor their founder. The current By Laws were adopted in 2006.

Presidential Portraits. Charlie Carlson developed the tradition, which endures today. That is each President will have his or her portrait painted and hung in the studio at the end of his or her term. Further, Carlson personally painted each of the first 25 Presidential portraits. The Presidential portraits hang in the Pine Grove Studio today.

Stephen Roka; 1949-1950		Anita Reed; 1981-1982

The Pine Grove Studio. In 1904, a small pump house and dam were built by the Octoraro Water Company to support the Pennsylvania Railroad operations in Coatesville. In the late 1940's, the Chester Municipal Authority (CMA) (In 1965 the company would change its name to the Chester Water Authority) purchased all the property along the upper Octoraro Creek and built a larger dam and pump facility to provide water to Chester. When the new facility came online in 1951, the old pump house was abandoned.

The Octoraro Water Company pump house

In 1953, Charlie Carson met the CMA plant manager, Mr. Kenneth Armstrong, and inquired about the pump house. Since it was no longer being used by the CMA, Carlson suggested that it would good local public relations if the CMA allowed the art group to use the building as an art studio and meeting place. The CMA and OAA negotiated a lease agreement for the use of the building. The terms of the lease require an annual payment by OAA to CMA of one original painting. The OAA moved into the pump house studio later that year, and the annual Picture of the Year event and lease payment began in 1954.

From 1996 through 1999, the CWA negotiated with the OAA to take over the "house on the hill" adjacent to the pump house to be part of the art studio. The house was built for the pump house operator and later for the CWA Nottingham Plant manager. The Octoraro Watershed Association and the Carlson Cultural Trust were parties to these discussions. In the end, the costs of maintenance were too much for all parties. So in 2003, the house was dismantled and removed.

"House on the Hill" watercolor by John Esworthy; 2004

Picture of the Year. In September 1953, Charlie Carlson, for the OAA, and Clarence Connor and Ken Armstrong, for the CMA, negotiated the now-famous lease of the building to the OAA. For one painting per year, the OAA will use the building as an art studio and meeting place, and the CMA will maintain the building. Each year, the OAA and CWA meet to select the Picture of the Year. After some controversy within the OAA, official Picture of the Year Rules and Regulations were approved in 1991, and modified in 2002. In 2005, three-dimensional art was accepted for judging, and in 2006 the rules were modified again.

"Red Fox" oil by John Esworthy; 1999		"Deer Creek, MD" oil pastel by George Chapman; 2005

Art & Art Displays. In the beginning of the OAA, art and art instruction by Charlie Carlson were a focus of the meetings. When the monthly supper meetings were established in 1949, they were used to kick off month-long art exhibits. The artists represented by these exhibits included Carlson, members of the OAA, other local artists, and invited artists from around the USA. When the OAA moved into the Pine Grove studio, Carlson conducted regular workshops and classes there; later other OAA artists continued these classes and workshops. Carlson also established field painting expeditions, some to local scenes and some to more distant locations. These field expeditions continue today and are known as the Plein Aire Group. In 1994, we began woodcarving workshops, and they continue today. We also established an art library for use by our members. The library includes books and videos. In 2000, a kiln was purchased, and in 2001 pottery classes began and continue today. In 2003, we started Stain Glass classes in six-week increments; they also continue although on an irregular schedule.

During their history, the OAA artists displayed art in various commercial and public facilities in the Oxford and Quarryville area. Additionally, they participated in local art festivals. Members display and talk about their art at the monthly meetings. The annual Picture of the Year event remains the biggest display for OAA members.

All of these art activities are listed on this website; just click on SCHEDULE.

CLICK "BACK" TO GO BACK