The Scarab Club was founded in 1907 by a group of artists and art lovers who enjoyed meeting regularly to discuss art and socialize.  The desire to form an arts organization in Detroit during the first third of the 20th century was partially intertwined with the birth of automotive design and the evolution of advertising art inspired by the burgeoning automobile industry.  Although generally viewed as a heavily industrial city, Detroit’s artistic community thrived from the success of the automobile.

Many of the original founding members of the Scarab Club consisted of automotive designers, advertising illustrators, graphic artists, photographers, architects, and automobile company owners.  Scarab Club members inspired each others’ artistic spirit by entering their artwork in the Annual Exhibition of Michigan Artists held at the Detroit Institute of Arts under the auspices of the Scarab Club from 1911 to 1928 and the DIA from 1929 to 1974.

The club's themed costumed balls, which began in 1917, were a significant social event in Detroit. Life Magazine covered the 1937 Ball featuring a two-page photo spread.  The Detroit News and The Detroit Free Press  published two pages of photogravures of costumed guests beginning in 1917.

Besides hosting various events, such as the costumed Scarab Club balls for members and others to attract the general public, the Scarab Club managed working artist studios that still continue today.  Since its founding in 1907, the Scarab Club continues to be a driving force in the artistic community and is proud to serve Michigan as a cultural stimulant for artistic diversity in the 21st century.

Historical Timeline

	1907		Group of local artists and art lovers founded the Hopkin Club, named after revered “granddaddy” of Detroit artists, Robert Hopkin (1832-1909).
	1911		The first Exhibition of Hopkin Club Painters was held at the Detroit Museum of Art featuring 153 works of art by 17 participants.
	1913		Name changed from Hopkin Club to Scarab Club.   The name Scarab Club was inspired by then President James Swan’s collection of carved Egyptian Scarabs symbolizing “resurrection of life”.
	1917		First Scarab Club Costume Ball held, themed “Fashion of the Year 2017” Scarab Club Gold Medal Award Introduced.
	1926		A committee of architect members selected Lancelot Sulkert (1888-1966) as architect to begin developing permanent building for organization.
	1928		Permanent location at 217 Farnsworth is completed and opened.  During construction, members contributed items that were placed in a time capsule sealed in the building’s cornerstone.
	1932		Diego Rivera visits the Scarab Club and signs a beam in the second floor lounge while working on his Detroit Industry murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
	1937		Life Magazine comes to Detroit to cover the highly recognized Scarab Club costume balls.  Theme for this particular year was “Scarabean Cruise”.
	1941		Juliana Force, first Director of the Whitney Museum in New York, visits the Scarab Club and signs a beam in the second floor lounge.
	1946		Norman Rockwell visits the Scarab Club and signs a beam in the second floor lounge.
	1962		Membership officially opened to women.
	1973		First Scarab Club female President, Bernice Carmichael elected.
	1974		Building designated as State of Michigan Historic Site on July 26, 1974
	1976		Stephen Veresh installs his Phoenix sculpture on the outer wall facing John R Street in honor of the nation’s bicentennial.
	1979		Building designated as a Local Historic District in Detroit on July 18, 1979 and remains the only single building in Detroit so listed. Building designated a National Historic Site on November 20, 1979 for its outstanding historical and architectural significance.
	1980s		Edgar Yaeger installs his Moorish mosaics between the large windows facing Farnsworth Street (rendered in the original architect’s drawing in 1928 when Yaeger was a junior Scarab member).
	1997		“Fifty Years of Scarab Club Art” exhibition opened featuring member art from 1907-1957 (organized by Patricia Reed, Randell Reed and Greg Stephens).
	2007		Scarab Club celebrates its 100th anniversary.
	2008		Launched Capital Campaign, Phase One Bricks and Mortar Project.