By: Twyla Vlahon

Whether you’re aware of it or not, Springfield, Ill. has a thriving art scene. There are all kinds of fun and interesting places to express yourself if you know where to look. Luckily, I’ve done that for you, compiling some of the best local art communities open to teenagers in Springfield (as of this publication). Whether you’re dedicated to a specific medium, a jack-of-all-trades or just looking for a fun way to be creative, both the school and city of Springfield have a lot to offer! 

SHS Art Club 

When discussing art clubs, the first one that comes to mind is obviously the Art Club! This club is great for students looking for a little more than hanging out and doing individual projects, as there will be larger projects that the entire club works on collaboratively. Materials are provided with a $10 club fee to cover them. Upon signing up, you will be added to the club Canvas page, where information about projects and meetings can be found. You will also be asked to submit a previously-made piece of artwork to give a sense of what you like to create. For those interested in collaborating with other artists, Art Club is definitely for you! For more information, contact Mrs. Pianezza at ehpianezza@sps186.org. 

SHS Sew Cool Crafters Club 

For people specifically interested in sewing and textile arts, the Sew Cool Crafters Club may be for you! As the name implies, the club is primarily focused on sewing, but all kinds of crafters are welcome to join. Materials are provided with a $10 – $15 club fee to cover them. Bring pre-existing projects, participate in club projects, chat, and be inspired. No previous sewing experience required. For more information, contact club president, Grant Kesler, at keslerg1@students.sps186.org or club sponsor, Mrs. Koen, at rkoen@sps186.org. 

Venturous Guild of Visionary Storysmiths 

The Venturous Guild of Visionary Storysmiths (more simply known as VGVS) is a creative collective open to anyone 13+. Though there are monthly meetings at Caribou Coffee in town, most Guild activities take place online through the VGVS Discord server and workshops over Zoom. The server is open to all artists (including those not living in Springfield), with channels specifically for sharing music, visual art, performance art and more! Outside of the Discord, the monthly Zooms are specifically aimed at writers, one for prompts and creative exercises and one for more advanced craft-based writing discussion. To join the Discord server, go to https://discord.gg/sFkekmBUEn, to get added to the Zoom, fill out the application form at https://www.angietonucci.com/workshops. 

DIM Art House Zine Workshops 

DIM Art House, a local art gallery, is now offering zine workshops! The workshops are open to anyone 14+ and offer a relaxed environment to create, discuss or learn about zines. Whether you have a zine currently in the works or are just learning about them now, you are encouraged to bring art supplies and hang out! For more information, contact thezineworkshop@gmail.com or check out the official Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ZineWorkshop 

Springfield Art Association

And finally, for people dedicated to mastering their craft or looking for an in-depth understanding of a specific medium, taking classes at the Springfield Art Association may be a worthwhile investment. Classes can be a bit pricey, with each costing about $150 on average. However, the cost is definitely worth it for the variety of materials provided and the expertise of the instructors, all of whom are professional artists and educators. Fall classes have already begun, but registration for Winter 2022 classes opens Nov. 28. Some classes have certain age requirements, so be sure to check that the one you are interested in accepts your age group. For more information, visit https://www.springfieldart.org/.