SAA: Springfield's Amazing Art (Classes)

Did you know the Springfield Art Association has:
- a Metals Lab for jewelry and enameling?
- a Ceramics Lab for pottery classes?
- the Condell Studio, the largest studio space in the city
- the oldest house in Springfield on its original foundation?

...if you said no, don't worry, you're not alone.

I probably shouldn't confess this, but when I was hired as the Education Coordinator, I didn't know anything about the SAA (alright...I knew I wanted to work there, but honestly that was it.) The closest I had come to its programming was Art Outreach, and I had seen the Edwards Place home (you honestly can't miss a large pink, Italianate mansion on North 4th Street!) before, but that was about it. Boy, what a year it's been.

I have been at the SAA for almost a year now, and have compiled 4 class schedules, 6 sessions of Summer Camp, and have sent 71 Art Outreach portfolios into almost 50 schools. To say we have a lot to offer the Springfield community is an understatement. Not only do we have our School of Art that offers dozens of classes in different media throughout the year, but we also have a Gallery of Art that showcases original exhibitions of artwork throughout the county and country.

With summer (almost) behind us, the SAA is gearing up for its fall line of educational programming. Perhaps most exciting for the Education Department is the presentation of the SAA's Fall Schedule of Classes that debuts August 23rd. Registration will run through September 22nd, and the School of Art will begin its fall session the week of September 27. Most of our classes are eight weeks in length; jewelry runs nine, but there are plenty of shorter-term offerings, studios and workshops. There are also some seasonal weekend workshops, including Pumpkin Decorating and other autumnal art projects.


Be sure to bring back Springfield Art, and take advantage of all of our classes. To join our mailing list, please e-mail: Education@SpringfieldArt.org.