Allied Craftsmen of San Diego

Biographical / Historical Notes

The Allied Craftsmen of San Diego, founded by Lloyd Ruocco, originated as a small craft group within a large multi-media organization called the Allied Artists’ Council. This large organization folded in 1946, but the small group continued to meet. They found their associations with each other mutually stimulating and in November 1947, identified themselves as the Allied Craftsmen of San Diego. Several officers were elected, including Margaret Price, their first elected President, and a meeting schedule was set up for each month to develop programs, and to discuss and share crafts-related information. Not often were there more than about sixty artists at one time. Pottery, weaving, wood sculpting, and enameling, to name a few, were showcased by the artisans. The main focus of the organization was to encourage art and craftsmanship in San Diego County by promoting local artisans, producing exhibitions, and selling their work.

In 1947, the Allied Craftsmen were invited to present a show at the Sunset Gallery (wartime quarters of the Fine Arts Gallery). Their presentation, entitled the Allied Craftsmen Fine Arts Gallery Show, proved to be such a success that it became annual event, running through 1973. Their popularity continued through the 1980s and as a result, the Allied Craftsmen officially became incorporated on November 3, 1986.

The Allied Craftsmen first Christmas sales shows were held at the Spanish Village in 1948, 1949, and 1950. Just like the Gallery shows, they were very successful and continued year after year in numerous locations such as Orr’s Gallery, Dean Marshall’s in La Jolla, Sanford Robertson’s in Mission Valley, the Wednesday Club House, and the Unitarian Church on Front Street.

In order to maintain their status in the community, the Allied Craftsmen aimed to include only the top craftsmen in San Diego County. Finding a fair and practical method for acquiring new members had been an issue for a number of years. They tried, modified, and discarded many different systems including membership by invitation only, sponsorship by a member, guest exhibition, jurying by committee, screening by media groups, and discussion of candidates at meetings. The group finally proposed a satisfactory procedure for Active Membership by secret ballot, without discussion, on the work submitted by the candidates.

Social events were a top priority and every year the group held a Christmas party which began in the early 1950s and a summer beach party at Margaret Barlow’s in Carlsbad which began in the mid 1960s.

Membership would grow to bring in skilled artisans in ceramics, enamel, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metals, mixed media, and wood. The Allied Craftsmen of San Diego continue to maintain their status as a well respected, professional organization.

From the guide to the Allied Craftsmen of San Diego Records, 1954-2000, (San Diego History Center Document Collection)