The Creative Arts League was formed in 1952 when ten women joined together for the purpose of bringing to the community the outstanding works of contemporary artists. In the early 1950s there were no small galleries in Sacramento, and contemporary artists had difficulty in finding a place to exhibit their work. CALS located exhibition space and organized artist's shows in three locations.

By the late 1950's small galleries had begun to open, and there were more opportunities for painters to exhibit, allowing people in the Sacramento area to see paintings and sculpture by artists from all over the state. In the crafts field, however, little exposure was given to work outside the Sacramento area. The post World War II artistic explosion had not left the crafts untouched. New technologies allowed craftsmen to incorporate exciting new materials into their work and the result was the beginning of a craft revolution.

In the fall of 1958, members of CALS and the Director of the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery met to discuss the need in the area for a statewide craft show. Creative Arts League agreed to sponsor and organize, produce and install such a show. The Crocker set aside a four-week period in early 1959 for the event.

Beginning with a zero exhibition fund, members of Creative Arts League (then numbering eighteen) began to plan for the craft show. With the support of friends and businesses in the community, funds were raised for awards and other expenses of a juried statewide exhibition, including a modest illustrated catalog. Working with the Director and staff of the Crocker, the show was promoted. The show was installed by Creative Arts League members and gallery staff and the "1st Statewide Craft Show" opened at the Crocker on March 1, 1959.

As craft shows increased in size and complexity, the other CALS exhibitions were phased out and the biennial craft exhibitions became the group's primary project. These biennial exhibitions through 1989 were planned, designed, funded and installed by the members of Creative Arts League, with the Crocker providing the space and the assistance of their staff.

With the changes in the administration at the Crocker Art Museum during the 1990's, policy regarding outside personnel working within the museum changed and CALS was no longer permitted to select, curate, design and install shows on a regular basis. There was no assurance that CALS-sponsored crafts shows would continue. CALS needed to shift its focus yet again. In 1995, with a substantial amount of money in its coffers, CALS established an account in the Crocker Foundation and gave $50,000 to be earmarked for a permanent Contemporary Crafts gallery within the museum.

In 1999 CALS celebrated the 40th Anniversary of its "First Statewide Craft Show", with an invitational exhibit featuring prominent California Craftsmen, each of whom had been in one or more of our previous sixteen shows. Crocker Museum curator Jan Driesbach organized and selected the works to be included, and museum personnel designed and installed this exhibition. CALS had some input in decision making and raised the money to pay for the show.

As the millennium approached, CALS began to reassess how it could continue to bring contemporary crafts to the Sacramento area. In 2001, our first Art Show/Sale was established with a two-day exhibition/sale at the new home of Ann Bowns. It was a successful fundraiser that has become an annual event.

Also in 2001, another change in the Crocker Museum administration once again "opened the door", allowing CALS to participate in bringing craft exhibitions to the museum.

In early 2002, the possibility arose of a major studio goldsmiths exhibition coming to the Crocker. Museum curator Scott Shields presented this idea and asked CALS if it would be interested in helping fund this exhibition. CALS decided to become sole sponsor and raised the necessary funds. Behind the Mines, The Art of Gold was organized by the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). Over 120 works by contemporary studio goldsmiths from throughout the United States comprised the traveling exhibition. In addition, curator Scott Shields added a California studio goldsmiths exhibition to be shown concurrently. This dual exhibition opened in January 23, 2003. The commitment of CALS was essential in bringing this show to Sacramento and giving the Crocker its most successful month in its history.

The 44 years of shows at the Crocker have long featured the works of highly regarded craftspeople, including Laura Andreson, Robert Arneson, Fred Uhl Ball, Robert Else, Arline Fisch, Lee Kavaljian, Ruth Rippon, June Schwarcz, Lois Franke Warren, and Robert Winston, among others. In placing exemplary crafts in a fine arts setting, CALS has broadened local awareness and appreciation of such work while allowing exhibiting artists to gain stature with their work. Funds raised through CALS events will continue to support contemporary crafts and local craftspeople through collaborative efforts with the Crocker Art Museum.