As the Inland Printer reported in June 1896: An association of artists and craftsmen for the purpose of work and study—such is the Palette and Chisel Club of Chicago.
But on Sunday mornings, at 9 o'clock, they assemble in the studio of Lorado Taft, in the Athenaeum Building, and for five hours each amuses himself by working in his chosen medium, to suit himself.
Two-thirds of the members are students in the "life class" at the Art Institute of Chicago night school, and a desire for opportunity to study from the model in daylight, so that color might be used, led to the organization of the club.
The Palette & Chisel served as the artistic home of James Topping Walter Ufer, and Eugene Savage.
In 1921, with the help of founding member Fred Larson, who mortgaged his home for this purpose, the club purchased the mansion at 1012 N. Dearborn Street where it still resides.