About El Camino Art Association

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El Camino Art Association
Established 1961

Early History of the Association

The El Camino Art Association (“ECAA”) was founded in 1961 in the Five Cities Area on California’s beautiful and inspiring Central Coast.  Bess Montgomery, the Association’s first Chairman, placed a small recording book on the counter of Martin’s Art & Hobby Supplies store in Pismo Beach.  On the cover of the book, she printed a request that all area artists who were interested in establishing an art association to sign the book. In a short time, she had 25 interested artists and an eight-member Founder’s Committee was formed. 

The first meeting to form the Association was held in January of 1961 in a room of the Pismo Beach City Hall.  Thirty-six artists and community members attended this inaugural meeting. The Association was formed and the name El Camino Art Association was chosen.  The tradition of inviting visiting artists to demonstrate their unique art talents at subsequent General Meetings was established and continues today.

In January of 1962, ECAA held their first juried art show. Soon after, the members recognized their need to establish an art gallery.  The Pismo Beach City Council granted the Association the use of the Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Members joined together to scrub floors, paint walls and hang art. The grand opening of ECAA’s first gallery was held on July 22, 1962. More than 200 people from the surrounding communities came out in support of the artists.

ECAA enjoyed the use of the Chamber of Commerce gallery space until 1994.  Today, the Association shows art at appealing, high visibility venues throughout  our Central Coast communities such as wineries, restaurants, farmers’ markets and festivals.

General Meetings

The ECAA General Meetings are held at the Ramona Park Center, 10th and Ramona Streets in Grover Beach and are open to the public. Please visit  the Monthly Meetings page for information on the next scheduled meeting.

Our Mission Statement

The El Camino Art Association’s Mission Statement is to promote art and encourage support of the artists in our local communities. Of special interest to the Association is encouraging upcoming young artists to continue to develop their artistic talents.

ECAA Scholarship Fund

ECAA has established a scholarship fund to encourage young artists, the ECAA Scholarship Fund. High school seniors at Arroyo Grande, Nipomo and Lopez High Schools are invited to enter in a juried art show and the art students chosen receive a cash award on behalf of ECAA.