The Springfield Art Association, located in the Enos Park neighborhood, turns a century old this year, and is using the milestone to publicly outline plans for updates and renovations. The organization, which boasts an art gallery, learning and teaching center, and Edwards Place - a historic home once visited by the Lincolns, is marking its century anniversary this year. The SAA provides classes for children and adults and is hoping to expand its offerings with features like a ceramics area, computer lab, and a new multi-purpose studio. Renovations to Edwards Place are also underway.
"The rest of our vision has been about how to truly integrate the art association and its mission of art education and promotion within Springfield." - SAA's Betsy Dollar
Betsy Dollar heads the Springfield Art Association: "We truly want to become the community visual arts center of Springfield, so that when people are thinking about the visual arts, they will think to come to us. So a lot more room for classes than what we have now, and a broader range of media."
1 million in donation and grant money has been already obtained. Another 3 million dollars is being sought after over the course of the next 3 years for the updates. The organization also just released its design for a Christmas ornament that will commemorate its anniversary and raise funds for the St. Joseph's Homein Springfield.
