Palette and Chisel

In 1895, a spark ignited in the heart of Chicago’s art scene. The Palette and Chisel Club emerged. This was not just another art group. It was a haven for students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, yearning to break free from academic constraints. They craved more time with live models, to hone their skills and capture the essence of the human form. The Palette and Chisel offered them that freedom. Initially, they found a space in the Athenaeum Building, under the watchful eye of sculptor Lorado Taft. Can you imagine these young artists, eager to learn and create, gathering on Sunday mornings in Taft’s studio? The Inland Printer described them in 1896 as “wage-workers,” dedicating their precious free time to their art. They weren’t just copying; they were expressing themselves, working “to suit themselves.” The Palette and Chisel quickly attracted some notable names, including Charles Russell and George Bellows. It became the artistic home for talents like James Topping, Walter Ufer, and Eugene Savage. The club thrived. In 1921, thanks to the dedication of founding member Fred Larson, the Palette and Chisel found its permanent home in the grand mansion at 1012 N. Dearborn Street. Larson even mortgaged his own house to secure this space. This very building, once the elegant Victorian home of William Waller, now became a sanctuary for artistic expression. The Palette and Chisel continued to evolve, eventually becoming the Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Art in 1933. It transformed into a non-profit educational institution. It remained true to its founding principles. The spirit of learning and collaboration persisted. The Palette and Chisel remains a vibrant hub for artists. Today, within these historic walls, artists still gather to practice their craft. They draw, paint, and sculpt, just as those first students did over a century ago. The legacy of those early “wage-workers” lives on in the vibrant community that continues to thrive at the Palette and Chisel.