 Known as the Downtown Group, because their art studios were all in lower Manhattan between 8th and 12th streets and First and Sixth Avenues, they also all found themselves unable to draw the attention of the galleries, museums, critics and collectors they needed to advance their careers.In 1949, members of the Downtown Group, helmed by Philip Pavia, founded an artists' club, named "The Club" on 39 East 8th Street.Weekly discussions in the Club led to the idea of organizing the 9th Street Art Exhibition as a launching pad.