Background and Mission:
Spruill Center for the Arts is located in Dunwoody, Ga. The center has two sites which work to serve the community by providing rich programming in the visual and performing arts for all ages. The original site was donated to the city of Dunwoody by Onnie Mae Spruill in 1975 with the stipulation that the property be used to foster the arts for the city. The Spruill house was the center of a large working farm and the home of one of Dunwoody’s original families. Today, the original farm house is used as the main gallery space. Spruill’s education center is housed inside of the North Dekalb Cultural Center which opened in 1982. The center is flanked by the city library and performing arts center. The mission of Spruill’s education center is to build an understanding and appreciation of the visual and performing arts by providing a variety of programs for adults and children, exhibition series for professional artists, and outreach programming for community members.
The Spruill Community:
The Spruill education center provides a diverse community of artists the ability to focus on their individual strengths and goals. Members of the Spruill Center for the Arts come from a variety of backgrounds and are welcome to share who they are within the classes. Professional artists are able to use the center as a facility for the production of their personal art pieces. Spruill has a community atmosphere that is supported by a staff which maintains a wealth of classes and amenities.
Spruill Center for the Arts is located in Dunwoody, Ga. The center has two sites which work to serve the community by providing rich programming in the visual and performing arts for all ages. The original site was donated to the city of Dunwoody by Onnie Mae Spruill in 1975 with the stipulation that the property be used to foster the arts for the city. The Spruill house was the center of a large working farm and the home of one of Dunwoody’s original families. Today, the original farm house is used as the main gallery space. Spruill’s education center is housed inside of the North Dekalb Cultural Center which opened in 1982. The center is flanked by the city library and performing arts center. The mission of Spruill’s education center is to build an understanding and appreciation of the visual and performing arts by providing a variety of programs for adults and children, exhibition series for professional artists, and outreach programming for community members.
The Spruill Community:
The Spruill education center provides a diverse community of artists the ability to focus on their individual strengths and goals. Members of the Spruill Center for the Arts come from a variety of backgrounds and are welcome to share who they are within the classes. Professional artists are able to use the center as a facility for the production of their personal art pieces. Spruill has a community atmosphere that is supported by a staff which maintains a wealth of classes and amenities.
Spruill Staff:
Bob Kinsey ~ CEO~ 770.394.3447
Ken Horvath~ Ceramics Director~ 770.394.3447
Kristin Wilder~ Education & Development Director ~ 770.394.3447
Charlotta Stevens~ Administration Director ~ 770.394.3447
Anne Winn~ Registrar~ 770.394.3447
Jennifer Price~ Spruill Gallery Director~ 770.394.4019
Clare Callahan~ Marketing/Public Relations Coordinator~ 770.394.3447
Spruill kiln room. The center offers a place for artists to create using their chosen media. (Photo: Ondrian Duncan)
Bob Kinsey ~ CEO~ 770.394.3447
Ken Horvath~ Ceramics Director~ 770.394.3447
Kristin Wilder~ Education & Development Director ~ 770.394.3447
Charlotta Stevens~ Administration Director ~ 770.394.3447
Anne Winn~ Registrar~ 770.394.3447
Jennifer Price~ Spruill Gallery Director~ 770.394.4019
Clare Callahan~ Marketing/Public Relations Coordinator~ 770.394.3447
Spruill kiln room. The center offers a place for artists to create using their chosen media. (Photo: Ondrian Duncan)
Cultural Programming and Events:
Spruill offers classes in jewelry, ceramics, painting, creative writing, mixed media, metal working, acting, and many more areas of the visual and performing arts. The center is home to the Weavers Guild of Chattahoochee, Ga. Spruill enables the guild to have a permanent place to meet and work on their craft. On the weekends artists markets and gallery shows are open to the public. The artist markets not only allow the artists to sell their crafts, but also bring in vendors of specialized materials for the artists. Spruill also has a library of cultural resources that are available for members to check out.
Challenges for Spruill:
Spruill is challenged by providing programming which is of interest to the community’s teenage population. Few classes are open to children between the ages of 13-17, but many of the adult classes are programmed with the idea that teenagers are welcome to join too. The center is aware of this issue and is working to find educators interested in teaching teenagers specifically. Another challenge for Spruill is to serve the lower socioeconomic section of the local community. Spruill does offer some outreach programming which makes the arts more available, but is looking to expand their offerings.
Spruill offers classes in jewelry, ceramics, painting, creative writing, mixed media, metal working, acting, and many more areas of the visual and performing arts. The center is home to the Weavers Guild of Chattahoochee, Ga. Spruill enables the guild to have a permanent place to meet and work on their craft. On the weekends artists markets and gallery shows are open to the public. The artist markets not only allow the artists to sell their crafts, but also bring in vendors of specialized materials for the artists. Spruill also has a library of cultural resources that are available for members to check out.
Challenges for Spruill:
Spruill is challenged by providing programming which is of interest to the community’s teenage population. Few classes are open to children between the ages of 13-17, but many of the adult classes are programmed with the idea that teenagers are welcome to join too. The center is aware of this issue and is working to find educators interested in teaching teenagers specifically. Another challenge for Spruill is to serve the lower socioeconomic section of the local community. Spruill does offer some outreach programming which makes the arts more available, but is looking to expand their offerings.
The Future for Spruill Center of Arts:
The future for Spruill is in the hands of the community. Spruill is a meeting place for every culture that lives in the Dunwoody area. With its emphasis on fostering personal growth, Spruill has grown with its community. The educational offerings change with the members and their interest in making art. The directors at Spruill strive to meet the artistic needs of the people who support, use, and enjoy the center as a part of their lives.
The future for Spruill is in the hands of the community. Spruill is a meeting place for every culture that lives in the Dunwoody area. With its emphasis on fostering personal growth, Spruill has grown with its community. The educational offerings change with the members and their interest in making art. The directors at Spruill strive to meet the artistic needs of the people who support, use, and enjoy the center as a part of their lives.