Prominent artists Charles Hawthorne, Oscar Gieberich, William Halsall, Gerrit Beneker, E. Ambrose Webster and several local business men and women established the Provincetown Art Association in 1914.
The organizing artists donated works and mounted two juried exhibitions in the summer of 1915, beginning a tradition of collecting and exhibiting the work of local artists.
By this time, Provincetown had become a refuge of artists and expatriates returned from war-torn Europe.
The town was firmly established as "The Biggest Art Colony in the World" (Boston Globe, 8/8/16).
PAAM strengthened its role as the anchor of this art colony through the purchase of its present building in 1919.
John "Wichita Bill" Noble served as the Association's first director.
His son, John A. Noble, also became a prominent artist.
Prominent artists Charles Hawthorne, Oscar Gieberich, William Halsall, Gerrit Beneker, E. Ambrose Webster and several local business men and women established the Provincetown Art Association in 1914. The organizing artists donated works and mounted two juried exhibitions in the summer of 1915, beginning a tradition of collecting and exhibiting the work of local artists. By this time, Provincetown had become a refuge of artists and expatriates returned from war-torn Europe. The town was firmly established as "The Biggest Art Colony in the World" (Boston Globe, 8/8/16). PAAM strengthened its role as the anchor of this art colony through the purchase of its present building in 1919. John "Wichita Bill" Noble served as the Association's first director. His son, John A. Noble, also became a prominent artist.
Provincetown Art Association and Museum