Founded in 1921 in Laguna Beach, Women Painters West (WPW) is a non-profit membership corporation with educational, benevolent, fraternal and charitable objectives. Originally created under the name of The Woman’s Art Club of Southern California, the organization saw two name changes before officially becoming Women Painters West in 1983. In recent years, Women Painters West has been composed of some 200 dedicated women artists working in all mediums, committed to the practice of art. Women Painters West includes among its members art instructors in all levels of art education. Many members exhibit individually in galleries, museums, and universities and have been recognized and honored nationally and internationally. Membership is by application and juried selection.