Current Fundraising Initiatives

Historic Edwards Place Exterior Restoration
All donations made through September 19th will be matched up to $2,500!!

Built in 1833, remodeled in 1857, and home to the Springfield Art Association in 1913; Edwards Place has served as the Edwards family residence and center of Springfield's social scene, art gallery and classroom space, and now as historic house museum.
From 2013-2018, the home's interiors were completely restored to its 1857 appearance. We are now working to restore the exterior of Edwards Place to protect this work and the important artifacts the home holds, and ensure it's done with historical accuracy. The $300,000 restoration process will include:

• Reconstructing the 36 original windows of Edwards Place
  While the windows were completely repaired and restored from the interior, the exterior wood has weathered nearly 200 years from the elements (shown in top right photo).
• Installing 36 storm windows to protect the reconstructed windows. These will also help to create a more stable interior environment.
• Tuckpointing and brick repair to address damaged mortar and leaks
• Back porch roof and fascia repairs to address water damage and correct future water flow (shown in top left photo).
• Repainting the home to its original color, which is not pink! The accurate color for the home is a shade of tan. 
• Replicating the top porch railings and cupola spire, original to the house (shown in historical image).
• Historically accurate planters and landscaping​

Support this important restoration project

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Raku Patio Awning
Raku is an ancient Japanese firing technique in the ceramic medium. While the technique is popular with our students (see Horsehair Raku Vase by Danny Brikshavana top left) in the Prairie Earth and Fire Ceramics Studio, the raku kilns are not easily accessible.  Raku firings must happen outdoors, due to their firey and smokey nature, and the SAA does not have a proper outdoor facility to fire in all weather, while keeping the kilns protected.
The creation of a permanent outdoor firing space for this type of ceramic process has long been a dream for the SAA School of Art and a concrete patio was included in the Centennial Capital Campaign plans during the 3D studio construction.  Creating the proper cover for the raku equipment will allow our ceramics instructors and students to explore this process even further.
A permanent raku firing space would be the only one of its kind in the area;
​a unique and very valuable resource for the entire community. 

Have you attended Roasted: Hot Pots + Picnic? This is one of the SAA's major annual fundraising events (shown in bottom photo) and the completion of a permanent raku firing space will provide our event volunteers and attendees with an even better experience; RAIN or SHINE.
Help us raise the funds for this $70,000 project in hopes of using the new firing space at Roasted: Hot Pots + Picnic 2022! 

Support this important addition to our school of art

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Bronwnyn Eves Memorial Art Truck
In 2016, the family of beloved SAA volunteer and art advocate, Bronywn Eves, worked to create an Art Outreach fund in her memory, after her life ended far too early. Over the years, we have used this fund to provide art projects at local grade schools, community events, and to mentoring organizations in an attempt to share Bronwyn's passion for the arts.
In 2020, the SAA examined how to better serve our entire community and saw that there was no better time to launch a long-discussed project; an Art Truck. We envision this studio-on-wheels to fulfill so much of what Bronwyn desired for Springfield. The Art Truck will provide:

• Access to the SAA for those with transportation limitations
• Visual art education at local schools and community organizations
• Sample of learning and creating, without intimidation of entering a physical gallery or studio
• Integration of the SAA in neighborhoods
• Presence at events and festivals
• Raise awareness for the SAA

We are so excited to launch this program, in memory of Bronwyn. The SAA will be able to serve more community members than ever! We look forward to finalizing the project menu for the Art Truck, which we know will provide so much FUN. Programs like this have succeeding in other areas, like Montclair, New Jersey (top right photo). We hope to have community support in making it successful here, in Springfield, Illinois!

Support our effort to take art on-the-go!