Chester Arts Guild
The Chester Arts Guild was founded in 1969 with support from the Chester Board of Trade. Meetings, classes and workshops were held in 'The Barn,' a property owned by Mr. and Mrs. David MacKeen on Haddon Hill. Roscoe Chaffey was the first Chairman and more than 100 members signed-up in the first year. The Guild offered classes for adults and children for several years. Enthusiasm was high due in large part to the calibre of instructors who offered their time and expertise, e.g., Don Curley, John Cook, Franklyn Heisler, Tim Worthington and Tony Congdon. Among the offerings were classes in painting, drawing, pottery, sculpture and silver work.
In the mid-nineteen seventies art programming was introduced into local schools and the Municipal Recreation Commission began to sponsor summer craft programs for children and youth. The Guild continued at the Barn until the property was sold in 1980.
