The Stockton Art League began in the 1930s as a group of artists who met every week at the Haggin Museum to draw. One of the group, Marcella Wood, conceived the idea to form an art club. Because of her efforts, the Stockton Art League was officially established in 1936 with Marcella Wood as its first president. She held the office for two years.
The second president was Oscar Galgiani, a well-known artist in the community. In 1964, Galgiani painted murals for the San Joaquin County Courthouse.
The third president was Ruby Zahn White. A talented artist and generous supporter, White left a bequest to the League, which funds a $200 award in her name at the annual Haggin Exhibition.
Theodosia Benjamin became the fourth president, followed by May Schooley and Mabel Myers. Myers also left a bequest to the League, which supports a $160 prize awarded at the Haggin Exhibition.
In 2001, the Goodwin Gallery opened, finally providing the League with a permanent home and exhibition space. In 2011, the Stockton Art League celebrated its 75th anniversary. In 2016, it celebrated its 80th anniversary with expanded community programming and exhibitions.
The League continues to host its annual juried exhibition at the Haggin Museum — an honored tradition since 1951 — and supports local artists through monthly shows, educational workshops, and community outreach.
Presidents of the Stockton Art League (1936–2025)
| Name | Term |
|---|---|
| Marcella Wood | 1936–1938 |
| Oscar Galgiani | 1938–1939 |
| Ruby White | 1939–1940 |
| Theodosia Benjamin | 1940–1941 |
| May Schooley | 1941–1943 |
| Mabel Myers | 1943–1944 |
| Suzanne Scheuer | 1944–1945 |
| Irene Holmes | 1945–1947 |
| Fay Condeyre | 1947–1948 |
| Ruby White | 1948–1949 |
| Lida Giambastiani | 1949–1952 |
| Richard Reynolds | 1952–1953 |
| Helen Dooley | 1953–1954 |
| Jack Whipple | 1954–1956 |
| Adele Pruitt | 1956–1957 |
| James Ritchy | 1957–1958 |
| Vernon Altree | 1958–1960 |
| Gail Hazard | 1960–1962 |
| Herbert Hoover | 1962–1963 |
| Charles Hess | 1963–1966 |
| Lloyd Organ | 1966–1968 |
| Helen Garfolo | 1968–1970 |
| Alyce Slabic | 1970–1972 |
| Vern Mapes | 1972–1974 |
| Joe Warburton | 1974–1975 |
| Dolores D’Pharr | 1975–1977 |
| Don Baker | 1977–1978 |
| Janice Vaughn | 1978–1980 |
| Richard Reynolds | 1980–1982 |
| Bernice Huston | 1982–1984 |
| Doug Genschmer | 1984–1986 |
| Edith Malan | 1986–1989 |
| Barbara Craggs | 1989–1990 |
| Bill Cypher | 1990–1992 |
| Rosemary Fowell | 1992–1994 |
| Tina Moore | 1994–1998 |
| The Board | 1999–2000 |
| Don Baker | 2001–2002 |
| Ruth Koon | 2002–2004 |
| Regina Rose | 2005 |
| Tina Moore | 2005–2006 |
| Dick Massa | 2006–2009 |
| Maria Flumiani | 2009–2011 |
| Cliff Johnston | 2012–2013 |
| Pat Price | 2014–2016 |
| Renee Koon | 2016 |
| Amy Baskerville | 2016–2020 |
| Elazar Abraham | 2020–Present |