H.M. Luther Antiques, New York City.

WOODSTOCK, N.Y. – Five former Woodstock artists who established the framework for the Woodstock Artists Association 80 years ago and helped see it through its early years are being honored at a “Founders Exhibition” that runs through January 8 in the Phoebe and Belmont Towbin Wing of the WAA gallery.

Those being memorialized are Carl Eric Lindin (1869-1942), John F. Carlson (1874-1945), Frank Swift Chase (1886-1942), Henry Lee McFee (1886-1953) and Andrew Dasburg (1887-1979). The exhibition has a total of 30 paintings and other works culled from museums and various collections, including the WAA’s own permanent collection.

This is the first exhibition undertaken by the association to focus as far back as its earliest history from about 1920. Except for a few drawings, the show consists of oil paintings. It is curated by Tom Wolf, a professor of art history at Bard College, assisted by Angela Gaffney-Smith.

The founders’ group brought to reality the aspirations of the increasing number of artists in Woodstock for a place to exhibit their work. Lindin, at 50 the oldest of the five founders, and his colleagues organized the Artists Realty Company, incorporated January 8, 1920, “for the management and development of real property,” namely of the “Woodstock Art Gallery.” With funds raised from the sale of 200 shares at $50 each, the nonprofit realty corporation acquired the site, built the gallery and turned it over to the art association for a modest rent. The newly-formed WAA, which had its first meeting in May, 1920, continued and grew as a tenant until 1971 when the realty company was dissolved after giving the building to the WAA for a token $1.

The original main gallery still stands, with greatly expanded exhibition space since 1992 when the Towbin Wing, the downstairs gallery, enlarged modern storage vaults for the permanent collection and other improvements were added. The association now has approximately 500 members from around the region. A display of documents and other memorabilia from the 1920s will complement the art works in the exhibition.

The galleries, 28 Tinker Street, are open Thursday through Monday, noon to 5 pm. For information call 845/679-2940.