Our Proud History!

In 1997, decorative painter and teacher Pat Parker inspired nine chapters of the now dissolved Society of Decorative Painters in New England and the Albany, New York, area to join hands as the New England Chapters Council, which would go on in 1999 to produce the first large decorative painting convention in the Northeast. This event, New England Traditions, continues to draw 400+ attendees for 130+ classes taught by dozens of inspiring teachers, and a trade show featuring the best in decorative painting supplies and ideas. In 2022, NECC became New England Decorative Artists, Inc. which continues to celebrate decorative painting through our beloved convention held in Marlborough, Massachusetts, each October.

As we planned our first convention in 1999, Master Decorative Artist Arlene Beck of Duanesburg, New York, designed a beautiful wreath logo to present our annual event to the public, celebrating our history and many of the wonderful things that make our region such an inspiring place to live, work, and paint!

Throughout all of New England and eastern New York you can experience the splendor of fall foliage, especially the brilliant hues of maple trees, which make the leaves the perfect choice for the background of our wreath logo. Traveling through the wreath is like traveling through our hometowns: First there is the grasshopper weathervane, a traditional symbol of peace and prosperity atop Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Represented by the Shaker basket, the Shakers originally settled in the capital region of New York and then established communities throughout New England, the last one now in New Hampshire.

Traveling along any of our coastal areas, you will be awed by the nautical history; the picturesque Nubble Lighthouse in Maine is one of many lighthouses you will see. The strong history of the whaling and shipping industries is evident everywhere, especially when you see the beautiful old sea captains homes in the coastal towns and islands of Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. On any back road you will be delighted to find quaint towns with wonderful church steeples and old covered bridges. And don't forget Paul Revere's midnight ride and the steeple lanterns of Old North Church in Boston!

Some of the most collectible pottery comes from Bennington, Vermont. The strong Dutch influence in the Albany area is represented by the wooden shoe. There were several families of tinkers and tinsmiths in our region, especially in the Mohawk and Connecticut Valleys, and with the tin came

"tole painting," thus the traditional coffeepot. Finally, along with beautiful maple leaves, almost every area in our region has great downhill skiing and other outdoor winter pursuits.