Daily Herald's Wheaton Residents' Guide:
Article originally published in the Daily Herald’s Wheaton Residents’ Guide on May 23, 2025. To view the full guide
https://e-edition.
ABOUT US
The DuPage Art League is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax-exempt art school and gallery; the EIN is 36-6108168. The League’s mission is to promote and encourage the visual arts through classes, workshops, gallery exhibits, free public programs, and scholarships to students. All donations and gifts to the League are greatly appreciated and may be tax-deductible (consult your tax advisor).
The League was founded in the spring of 1957 by Anne Miller, Ruth Watkins, Myra Bakke, Lee Jens, and Carole Fischer. Meetings and classes were held in the reception room of an animal hospital.
In 1959, as interest in art programs and membership grew, the need for larger quarters led the League to the former Ivan Albright studio in an old church in Warrenville. Also, in 1959, the League was incorporated by the original founders, with its stated purpose “to promote art consciousness and provide a meeting place for painting sessions and kindred arts” receiving its status from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) educational organization.
By 1966, membership had grown, and space became inadequate. The League rented a Wheaton Park District building, once located at Main Street and Roosevelt Road. In 1970, the League moved again to 303 W. Front St., Wheaton. The building was demolished, and the location is now the home of Wheaton Bank & Trust.
In 1974, the site at 219 W Front St was purchased and the League moved to its first permanent home in January 1975. This acquisition was made possible through the generous contributions of League founders and members, particularly the late Arthur and Lee Jens who were extraordinary in their support of the League over the years.
League members volunteered innumerable hours of labor to transform the location into the School and Art Gallery, which was open to the public. From the beginning, all the activities of the League have been staffed by volunteers.
In 1981, a larger classroom was added to the building, and in 1984 and 1991, the gallery space was remodeled. In May 1996, the League purchased and renovated the former religious gift store across the street at 218 W. Front St. The city of Wheaton purchased 219 W. Front St. for a parking deck.
In 2001, the space was remodeled to add a larger second classroom. The facility now includes a large main gallery, a smaller gallery for one-person shows, an area that displays prints, ceramics, jewelry and other small items, two classrooms, a workroom, a meeting room, a library, and office space.
In August 2010, the League installed its first computerized Point of Sale system and made further enhancements in 2020.
In 2016, major repairs were needed to both the bow trusses and the roof. Concurrent with this work, bathrooms were updated. To continue to hold classes during this time, the League secured a 3-year lease on 225 W. Front St. (now the location of Ditka’s Grill).
The League remains an essential window into the visual arts community in DuPage County and beyond, giving aspiring artists a place where they can take classes, participate in workshops, exhibit their work, receive recognition, and enjoy the inspiration that comes from interacting with fellow artists of all skill levels. Please refer to the Donate page to help the League continue to be a gathering place where artists can share ideas and experiences.
Gallery Hours
Monday–Friday 9 am–5 pm
Saturday 9 am–2 pm
Closed Sunday and Holidays