The original American Art Week was an activity sponsored by the American Artists Professional League, to celebrate art each year all over the United States during the first week of November. The Manasquan Women's Club wanted to participate in this event, and linked to this group to do so.
The first years this small group of artists met in homes. There were no dues or officers. Paintings were displayed in the local store windows and during the first year, Miss Stroud walked about the town, giving a talk about each painting in front of each store window. The group celebrated the event with a dinner, which later became an annual event.
With much interest shown by members and friends, the group decided it should be more active. "Clothesline" exhibitions were held in neighboring towns and membership was extended to include artists from a much wider area. Everyone seemed to be interested in year roud activity, so it was decided to have monthly workshop meetings in the homes. The next step was the election of officers, and the establishment of dues for the organization. The group soon outgrew the homes as meeting places, and it became necessary to find a central meeting place. Through the generostity of the Spring Lake Community House, the group was able to resolve the problem. Meetings were held there on the first Friday evening of each month, September through June. After several years, the meetings moved to the Women's Club in Manasquan, and finally to The Curtis House in Breille, the current meeting site. Monthly meetings include a "guest" artist, and the annual dinner is the "social event of the season".
With the growth of its membership, the art shows have expanded to such places as the Point Pleasant Hospital, Brielle Library, Spring Lake Community Center, Ocean County College, and many one-person shows throughout the year.
Currently the group exhibits in Point Pleasant Beach and Boro Libraries, Wall and Brick Libraries, Squan Village Historical Society and the Ocean County Historical Society. The summer shows include Divine Park in Spring Lake, Sea Girt Lighthouse, Sea Girt Park, Bay Head, Manasquan and Brielle Day.
In 1958 the first "Jersey Cooks and Artists" book was published, which included art by the group's members.
For several years the group has instituted sketch classes at the Lighthouse in Sea Girt, where members give demonstrations and lessons in watercolor and other media.
Over the many years the Group has been established, several well-known artists have emerged from its ranks, realizing the goal of the founders: to bring fine art to the local community and to provide cultural enrichment for the citizens.