The Emerald Art Center runs the Dotty & Frank Light Family Summer Youth Art Camp for ages 9–17 in downtown Springfield. Week-long half-day camps meet Tuesday–Friday from 1–5pm, with Explore and Focus tracks covering drawing, watercolor, sewing, acrylics, and digital tools led by experienced art educators. 50% scholarships are available for low-income families.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Emerald Art Center directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Teresa StaalCowley (Teresa, the Artist)What an honor and am so thankful for the opportunity to display 7 of my paintings at the Emerald Art Center for the month of March 2026. The show is organized by the Pacific Rim Art Guild also known as PRAG from Eugene, Oregon. The theme is of Land and Sea, Psalms 104.
★★★★★Debra JerveyTerrific Springfield gallery on Main St with authentic Simpsons mural on side of building (OUR Springfield is the one!) and wonderful home for local artists, jewelry makers and photographers who sell beautiful affordable pieces in their gallery and gift shop! Perfect for holiday shopping! And you can take a picture on the Simpsons couch!
★★★★★Jeanne CraigWe stopped in Springfield on a trip down the west coast when Google suggested it as a point of interest. Being Simpsons fans, of course we had to stop. At the Art center they will give you a map to help locate the different murals in town. We also had our photo taken on the Simpsons’ couch. That was really fun. They suggest a photo donation of $3 to help support their art center. We looked around the art center a little bit also, which was really nice. They have a monthly theme contest where you can vote for your favorite piece in the contest. There’s also a suggested donation of $5/family to visit the center. Neither of their suggestions are very much so I would encourage visitors to please be even more generous. This place is a gem. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we had to get back on the road.
★★★★★Ward WilliamsGreat little nonprofit gallery! Come to get your picture taken with the Simpsons couch, stay for the great original art! I bought a fun piece from David Lasky, my first purchase of original art, I think! The director Don and all the staff were very welcoming and helpful.
★★★★★Onward TheyGoVisited 08/06/2023. Really nice local art centre. We initially went in for the Simpson's Mural Map but got lost in the artwork within the walls of the Center. It was really nice to see that it supports local artists, and much of it was stunning. Of course, they had the Simpson's Living Room setup complete with couch and Simpson Characters which was fun to do, and has the giant mural on the wall outside, but it is worth a visit inside for more than this and took us by surprise. It's a lovely Center, and at the heart of the town with murals and art taking over normally bland walls across the town. Inspiring and wonderful!