Even after 90 years, the Lancaster County Art Association (LCAA) is as strong as ever.

The LCAA, the oldest art association in Lancaster County, celebrated its 90th birthday at its annual banquet at the DoubleTree Resort in Lancaster in May. The banquet's keynote speaker was artist Richard Ressel, who shared many of his memories from over the years. He also honored Ken Hoak, an LCAA member since 1950, for his longtime service.

"(Richard) gave a wonderful view, just the little tidbits that he knew from the art association, things and memories that would be meaningful to members," said Patricia Keller of Landisville, a 40-year LCAA member who handles the association's publicity and advertising.

Formed in 1936 by Mary Black Diller and Grace Steinmetz, the LCAA began house tours around the county in 1949, with proceeds earmarked for a permanent location. That would come in 1954, when the association moved into 22 E. Vine St., Lancaster, a building that once belonged to the plumbers' union.

The Vine Street location would serve as the association's home for more than 30 years until 1998, when it moved to its present location of 149 Precision Ave., Strasburg. That building consists of multiple galleries, a board room, a classroom and a pottery room.

Today, the LCAA rosters 245 members who come from all over the area, not just Lancaster County. Within those members are professional artists who make a living off their craft, as well as amateurs who are just getting into art.

"It's amazing the number of people we have from Marietta, up in Ephrata, down in Quarryville, even from Chester County," Keller said. "It's a place, probably one of the few places where nonprofessional artists can mingle with professional artists and have their work displayed and shown. ... It's a real nice venue for them to be able to exhibit their work, and then it just encourages them to paint more and to do more things."

The anniversary is also a time of change for the association. At the banquet, president Carol Dale stepped down from her position. She was the longest serving president in LCAA history, guiding it through a period of uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dale introduced new president Amelia Abrams at the banquet.

"She's done a wonderful job," Keller said of Dale. "We're very pleased that we have someone that's very qualified to take over her place. It's a big responsibility."

Throughout the year, the LCAA offers classes in drawing, watercolor, pottery, jewelry making, sketching and pastels. The classes, geared toward both children and adults, are offered at various times of the day and days of the week, leaving a window for everybody to participate.

The association's members will have a "Decades" show at the Lancaster Art Vault in July, located on the first floor at 100 N. Queen St., Lancaster. The show commemorates the organization's history and anniversary.

On the homefront in Strasburg, the LCAA opened a "Summer Media Wars" show on June 28 that will progress every three weeks, with new artwork added. Attendees will vote to decide which media wins the challenge.

The show's hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays; admission is free. For more information about the show or the association, visit http://www.lcaaonline.org, call 717-687-7061 or email lcaanews@yahoo.com.

The LCAA is a nonprofit that is primarily supported by donations and membership fees for its programming.

"I just wish (people) would come down and see our gallery, because we have a lot of beautiful artwork," Keller said. "I find that today, we're sort of starting to lose a little bit of appreciation for things that people have done themselves."