The Howard Chandler Christy Art Guild was organized in McConnelsville, Morgan County, Ohio in 1968.  The first arts and crafts show was held in the summer of 1968 on Main Street of McConnelsville and is now held in The Grove area on Main Street.  A sidewalk art show and sale was held for several years before the annual show to generate interest and gain new members for the guild.

Art classes have been taught by various guild members to both adult and youths in evening, week-end, and summer workshops.  Classes were taught by volunteers in the elementary schools as art was offered only in high school.  In 1986, the Howard Chandler Christy Art Guild worked with an advisory art council appointed by the local board of education to employ art teachers in all Morgan County Schools.  For some years, the youth categories were dropped from the annual arts and crafts summer show with the guild members working with the art teachers to have art shows in all the county’s schools.  Panels for hanging artwork, setting up the display, judging the pieces, and the award ribbons were all provided by the Howard Chandler Christy Art Guild.  Youth categories are again included in the summer arts and crafts show held the last full weekend in July of each year.

Various musical and performing groups, sponsored by the guild, performed on the stage of the Opera House in McConnelsville.  In cooperation with the school district, youth classes were bussed to daytime shows.

Monthly exhibitions featuring art guild members were held at the Citizens National Bank in McConnelsville.  Opening night receptions were held and well attended.

The Howard Chandler Christy Art Guild continues to sponsor scholarships for graduation seniors who plan to continue their education in an art or art-related field.

The Howard Chandler Christy Art Guild depends on donations to conduct its promotions of the arts.  The guild has few members and is located in small, rural Morgan County.  The HCC Art Guild does not own a gallery and the artists, if they so choose, go to larger cities and towns to display their artistry.  The talent that is hidden in the hills of southeast Ohio is displayed only at the two day arts and crafts show in The Grove of McConnelsville, Ohio, during the last full weekend of July.  The show has run continuously since 1968.

First time award winners at this non-juried summer show are not only pleased with the open-air atmosphere and the friendly patrons, but are surprised with the monetary award amounts.  The judges who come for the first time always have comments about the wonderful works found in this little village and hope that they will be invited to return another year.

Please come to the next Howard Chandler Christy Art Guild Arts and Crafts Festival in 2010, scheduled for July 24 and 25.  There are no rain dates.

Inquiries and donations are always appreciated.  The address is P.O. Box 442, McConnelsville, Ohio 43756.