The Panama-California Exposition was established in an artificially created city of fanciful Spanish Colonial buildings in Balboa Park. Alice Klauber was the chairman of the art department for the fair. The fair was so successful; it was held over for another year and renamed the Panama-California International Exposition.

     An article written on December 30, 1916, in the San Diego Sun described that event.

     "Development of arts will be encouraged in museum buildings on fair grounds, by Miss Alice Klauber….
     That department of the San Diego Museum association covered by the fine arts is to be in the hands of its art committee, acting with such affiliated societies as the Art Association and the Art Guild. The galleries at the southern end of the California Quadrangle will house all the fine arts exhibitions, and it is expected that local artists and craft societies, acting with the museum committee, will exhibit from time to time in the smaller galleries above….
     Particular praise should be given to the work of Miss Alice Klauber, chairman of art of the women's board at the Exposition, whose efforts to bring interesting things to San Diego have been untiring. The Art Guild has held many delightful exhibitions of work of its members during the year."

     Several active members of the Guild exhibited their work in the fine arts gallery of the exposition. Among these artists were Miss Emma Allen, Maurice Braun (Gold Medal winner), C.A. Fries (Silver Medal winner), Ammi M. Farnham, Alfred Mitchell (Silver Medal winner), Albert Valentien, Leo Browne, Mrs. Martha Miles Jones, William H.C. Pierce, Miss Annie Pierce, and Miss Rebecca Rogers.

     On January 1, 1917, in the San Diego Union, Special Section, 4. Sydney L. Snow wrote about the city's artistic life of high development and steady growth. The following are excerpts from that article:

     "For the last two years most of the art life of the city has been centered about the Exposition, and the beautiful grounds and buildings still are to be the hub of the cultural activities of San Diego….
     In a letter to Henry Lord Gay, president of the San Diego Art Guild, Colin Campbell Cooper said he would lose no opportunity to recommend San Diego as a place of inspiration to artists, with a climate most suitable to their work. In addition, he said:
     'I was glad to hear before we left San Diego that the committee on the preservation of buildings at the Exposition has decided to keep the art gallery as a permanent institution. This seems to be a very wise plan and undoubtedly will be of benefit to the city. If, as you hoped, the other buildings are to be used for the kindred arts and sciences and for museums in which to install various important collections, in many respects this continued permanent Exposition will be better than the one which is to close December 1….
     I should think that much could be done to arouse a general interest in art if an art association were formed. An art association would have a wide field of influence than the Guild (of which the Guild, of course, would be a part), because it would draw into it those who, though not trained in any of the arts, have a great interest in them, and are oftentimes excellent workers.'"

     Lyman S. Gage, former Secretary of the United States Treasury, was elected chairman of the general committee of the organization formed to preserve the exposition permanently. Earl F. Drake was elected secretary. Mayor Capps and other members of the civic government, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations and musical organizations, the San Diego Historical Society, the Art Guild and many other organizations were represented at the meeting.

     After the fair closed a number of artists established studios in many of the buildings that were not demolished. Among them were Ruth Ball, Annie Pierce and Alice and Leda Klauber. The Fine Arts building, in the south wing of the California Quadrangle, one of the few permanent structures continued to serve as the city's art museum until 1926.

     In the spring of 1918 a group of 14 artists who met weekly at the home of Miss Ellen Scripps, to sketch, paint, and talk about art, banded together on a suggestion by Guild member Mrs. Eleanor B. Parkes to form the La Jolla Art Association. Eleanor B. Parkes served as its first President and continued to serve for 33 years. Other Guild members who were original members of this new association, included Maurice Braun, Charles Fries, Alice Klauber, Anna and Albert Valentien, and Alfred Mitchell, who served as president for 10 years.

     The Guild held a wonderfully received exhibition in February of 1919. It was reviewed on February 11, 1919 in the San Diego Sun:

ART LOVERS FIND MUCH THAT IS PLEASING AT EXHIBITION

     "All of San Diego's art lovers turned out last Saturday evening to help at the reception and semi-annual exhibition of the San Diego Art guild. This showing is large and is in paint, pastel, watercolor, and craftwork.
     Half of the proceeds accruing form the sale of these art pieces will be given the Associated Charities….
     That case of artcraft reveals innumerable beauties…"

     Guild artists participating in this show included Maurice Braun, C. A. Fries, A. M. Farnham, Mary B. Williams, Miss E. Allen, A. B. Titus, Edna Scofield, Sarah Truax, and Mrs. A. M. Valentien.
     The Guild was invited to move into Balboa Park as described in this article written, February 26, 1919, published in the San Diego Union:
     "Art Guild moves into new home in Fine Arts building, Balboa park; first of city clubs to accept invitation to use Exposition buildings; San Diego Museum has furnished and turned over free to the Guild the large room adjoining the main gallery, formerly occupied by the architectural exhibit."

     The Guild moved into the park on March 6, 1919 and then moved around various quarters in different buildings for a year. An article written on January 1, 1920, in the San Diego Union, Annual, stated:
     "The museum has the beginning of a permanent art collection, and with the assistance of the San Diego Art guild, which has transferred its activities from downtown to the museum, the gallery is kept well filled. Fifteen exhibitions were held during the year and not less than 600 paintings were displayed."

     Maurice Braun served as President of the Guild from 1917-1918, followed by Charles Fries in 1919.
     On April 1, 1920, the Guild returned to the B Street School and stayed until February 1923, when they again went to Balboa Park.

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