Leisure Arts Club scrapbook, 1941-1975

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Summary

Creators:
Leisure Arts Club
Abstract:
The Leisure Arts Club was founded on January 31, 1941 at the home of Althea Clark. Its purpose, as outlined in its constitution, was "to develop self culture, to study the arts, to do charitable work, and to cooperate with groups interested in racial betterment." The collection consists of one scrapbook which documents the club's activities between 1941 and 1962. It includes a copy of the club's constitution and by-laws, as ratified in 1947, as well as minutes from the first few meetings after its formation in 1941. In addition, the scrapbook encompasses guest registers and invitations, correspondence, clippings, and programs documenting the club's work with charities, its musical and social events, and its affiliation with the California State Association of Colored Women's Clubs.
Extent:
.2 linear feet (1 oversized volume)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Leisure Arts Club scrapbook, MS 12, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of one scrapbook which documents the club's activities between 1941 and 1962. It includes a copy of the club's constitution and by-laws, as ratified in 1947, as well as minutes from the first few meetings after its formation in 1941. In addition, the scrapbook encompasses guest registers and invitations, correspondence, clippings, and programs documenting the club's work with charities, its musical and social events, and its affiliation with the California State Association of Colored Women's Clubs. Two photos document the members in 1957 and 1959 and several obituaries at the end of the scrapbook record the deaths of several founding members in the 1960s and 1970s.

Biographical / historical:

The Leisure Arts Club was founded on January 31, 1941 at the home of Althea Clark. Its purpose, as outlined in its constitution, was "to develop self culture, to study the arts, to do charitable work, and to cooperate with groups interested in racial betterment." The club's charter members were Audrey Page, Althea Clark, Le Count Clark, Grace Temple, Ruth Meadows, Ruth Lasartemay, Gradella Manuel, and Marion Perrilliat. Its first officers were Althea Clark, President; Grace Temple, Vice-President; Ruth Meadows, Secretary; and Le Count Clark, Treasurer. The club joined the California State Association of Colored Women's Clubs on June 12,1941.

In an effort to meet its stated goals, the club organized musical events, organized fundraisers for charities, and donated funds to the NAACP. Among its charitable activities numbered a layette sewing project for the Alameda County Welfare Project, preparation of Thanksgiving baskets, linen showers for the Fannie Wall Children's Home and Day Nursery, and the organization of picnics for servicemen during World War II. The club promoted better race relations through participation in the NAACP and in Race Relations Sunday Services at Taylor Memorial Methodist Church. In addition, the club supported the arts through sponsoring musical lectures and concerts. The club also organized many social events for its members and friends, such as Shamrock Teas, Harvest Parties and Hobby Shows.

Acquisition information:
This scrapbook was donated to the East Bay Negro Historical Society. The scrapbook was probably donated by Ruth Lasartemay, an active member of the Leisure Arts Club.
Processing information:

Processed by Marianne Carden, 07/08/1995. Finding aid updated by Sean Heyliger, 01/16/2013.

Arrangement:

Series I. Scrapbook

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Leisure Arts Club scrapbook must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Leisure Arts Club scrapbook, MS 12, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
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