The Eau Claire Area Art League (ECAAL) was founded in July 1944 by Ruth G. Saxon under the name Eau Claire Art Club. The name was changed in 1946 to the Eau Claire Art League. In 1993, the name Eau Claire Area Art League was adopted to reflect the expanding membership from the surrounding communities of Altoona, Augusta, Cameron, Chippewa Falls, Colfax, Elk Mound, Fairchild, Menomonie, Mondovi and Osseo.

Over the years, the League rented apartments for studio space in various locations until a permanent rent-free location at the Eau Claire Parks and Recreation building on Oxford Avenue was obtained in 1970. In the 1990s, monthly meetings were held at Hope Lutheran Church and later in various area restaurants.

One of the League’s most popular events was the Silver Tea and Bazaar fund raiser. Held at the Elks Club Auditorium, art works by the members of the league would be displayed. With declining popularity, the Holiday Tea and Bazaar was reluctantly discontinued in 1959. In 1966 until 1981, the Art League painted Christmas scenes on the windows at the Mount Washington Nursing Home.

In 1955, the ECAAL hosted their first outdoor art fair at 2nd and Water Street studio. It was titled “Sidewalk Art Show.” The Sidewalk Art Show became their most popular fair. In following years, the group held annual shows outside the shops at Putnam Heights Shopping Center, Jaycette Park on State Street, and Owen Park. By 1967, each member was to prepare at least 10 paintings for the art fair. Art League members also displayed their work at various businesses in Eau Claire as well as churches, schools, and libraries. In 1975, the League co-sponsored the first indoor art fair, held at London Square Mall. The last London Square Mall show was in 1995. The League moved its annual exhibit into Oakwood Mall in 1998, and then later at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls.

Over the years, the ECAAL held public exhibitions of their artwork. In 1972, the League held a painting exhibit at the Sacred Heart Hospital. The League celebrated its 41st anniversary with an exhibit in the L.E. Phillips Public Library in 1985. The group has exhibited mostly at the L. E. Phillips Memorial Public Library and the Janet Carson Gallery in recent years.

Although the League had been open to men since its inception, the first men did not join until 1982. This was voted on in 1980 as well as the vote to include other works of art such as pottery, leather, wood, and photography.

In 1986, the first student merit awards were presented at the Art League Art Fair at London Square Mall. The Student Merit Awards highlighted promising student artists from local high schools. As other art associations and events were established, participation in the ECAAL diminished and the organization disbanded in May 2013.