Museum School Announces Spring, Summer Offerings

SPRINGFIELD — The Museum School at the Springfield Museums has announced its spring and summer schedule of classes and experiential learning opportunities for both children and adults.

Registration is now underway for all upcoming trips and classes, particularly the week-long summer courses for kids to keep the learning going during school vacation. All courses are led by experienced and supportive instructors in topics tied to the Museums’ collections and traveling exhibits. Full listings are available at springfieldmuseums.org under ‘programs,’ or by calling (413) 263-6800, ext. 377 or 382.

For young people, the school offers instruction in traditional topics like drawing, as well as more unusual and eclectic courses. For example, students taking week-long summer classes like “Ancient Treasures & Woodworking” will draw inspiration from the “Cabinets of Curiosity” exhibit at the D’Amour Museum, while those taking “Wildlife Adventures” will explore wildlife science in the field at the Stebbins Wildlife Refuge and in laboratory spaces at the Springfield Science Museum. There are also classes for teens interested in furthering their interest in painting, sculpture, and fabric design.

Offerings for adults during the coming months include a wide range of courses in drawing, painting, and creative writing for all skill levels, plus genealogy, birding, culinary arts, and astronomy. Many courses are one-day offerings, allowing even the busiest adults to participate.

Adult travel opportunities, from day trips to multi-day excursions, are also available. Highlights include day trips to hear Glimmerglass Opera perform La Boheme on Aug. 9, and an excursion to the Newport Art Museum on Aug. 31. Extended trips include a 10-day tour of Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Badlands National Parks in July, and a memorable journey to France to visit the Rhone Valley, Provence, and the Riviera in October.