In 2021, Past President Thomas C. Albus re-ignited interest amongst Members in once again forming a group dedicated to celebrating art at the Club. Through the generosity of eighty-four Charter Members, The MAC Art Society was formed, and purchased thirteen artworks on behalf of the Missouri Athletic Club, from the collection of the MAC Foundation for the Arts. These works are now part of the MAC Art Collection, which today comprises over 100 paintings, prints, sculptures and decorative art objects. The MAC Art Society is committed to discovering, preserving and promoting the Club’s beloved collection of paintings, prints and sculptures and to celebrating the rich community of arts in St. Louis; but this mission is nothing new. In fact, in 1963, Member Bruce Pates, the last surviving member of the original Art Committee at the MAC, helped to create the club’s first publication of the art collection in the Cherry Diamond. This celebrated every artwork in the collection at the time with an illustration, short description and further comments by Bruce Pates. Since that time, our art collection has more than doubled, and it is still common to see Members and guests alike casually but carefully looking at and discussing paintings hanging in the Art Lounge and throughout the Downtown clubhouse. No longer is it possible to get a first-hand account of the formation of the art collection from those instrumental Members, but the vast collection gives us some indication of just how intentional their goal of collecting truly was.
To carry on the tradition of appreciation for talented local artists, the Club hosts a Featured Artist Series exhibition in gallery space within both clubhouse lobbies. Featured Artist Series For more information about art at the MAC, contact Kara Kelpe, kkelpe@mac-stl.org