On December 17, 1933, the first meeting of the 'Three Arts Club' was held at Miss Violet Clark's Studio at 261 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg. Miss Clark, a sculptress, is credited with starting the organization. More than twenty-five charter members were present. A triumvirate of officers was elected at the club meeting of January 7, 1934. One director was chosen from each of the three represented groups: Cullen Yates, Art; N.A. Bernard Fairfax, Dramatics; and Robert Hilton, music.
On February 17, 1934, the Indian Queen Hotel, Main Street, Stroudsburg, was selected as the permanent headquarters of the Three Arts Club. Art shows, recitals, and dramatic presentations were the goals of the group.
After 1935 the art members of the Three Arts Club were called the Monroe County Arts Guild and participated in the annual Wyckoff Art Shows and the first Bangor Art Show.
On August 13, 1937, Monroe County's first art show opened in the basement of the Armory in East Stroudsburg. The show consisted of 129 works of art. Numerous paintings were sold.
Mr. Arthur Widmer [Shorty] became president of the Guild on January 13, 1939.
After World War II the Pocono Mountains Art Group was created to serve a larger area. On July 12, 1957, the group opened its customary summer show at Courthouse Square with 37 exhibitors.
In May of 1961, Jack Farley was elected President. The minutes indicate a model and still life were available for the work session. Meetings were held at various members homes, and one meeting would be a large picnic.
In 1963 Frank Fitzgerald was elected President. The club roster showed 175 members.
Through the years the group has visited various museums, given out art scholarships, and has held many shows and exhibits. Demonstrators for the group have included many well known artists including Cullen Yates, Edna Palmer Englehart, Sally Milspaugh, Bob Doney, and Dave Miller to name just a few.
