In 1963, professor William (Bill) Blizard spearheaded the Art in Urban Life program at Springfield College. He was instrumental in developing the Department of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) (serving as chair for more than 30 years) and the William Simpson Fine Art Series, which broadened the cultural scene by bringing local and national artists to campus, Thelonious Monk and Andy Warhol being two of the more notable. 

Bill Blizard’s dynamic career encompassed leadership in academic administration, education, cross-country coaching, and the visual arts. Trained in the abstract school of painting, a collection of his large, colorful works is housed in the Springfield College Archives.

As the gallery director in an educational setting, I am a determined advocate for the arts as a curator, coordinator, art handler, and cheerleader who believes in the transformative power of art to forge meaningful change in our personal lives and communities. Having the privilege to help students gain confidence by finding their voice, providing fellow artists an opportunity to share their work, and empowering the viewer to find meaningful interpretation(s) through art is my bedrock as director. When someone walks into the gallery, and their face lights up, their eyes conveying a wide range of emotions, then I know we are succeeding in making those connections.

Our young students are coming of age in a very challenging world, and it is essential that we do our best to continue to provide them and others with a venue that can respectfully develop their artistic prowess, critical thinking, and communication skills to better equip them for their journeys ahead.

For the undergraduate Art and Design majors and graduate Art Therapy students in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the gallery provides a space to showcase their diverse creative experiences with exhibitions held throughout the academic year. VAPA chair, Chris Gagne, and his faculty are instrumental in the quality of their students’ artistic work product and gallery participation. 

Past exhibitions, such as “Blizzard in Blizard” and “Summer Snaps: Scrapbook Style!,” were seasonal open-call invitations to our Springfield College community to share their creative thoughts and images. Kudos to the students, faculty, and staff for their contributions.

Along with faculty shows, the gallery has also presented local and nationally established artists, such as New York realist painter Jeffrey Neumann, a Springfield College alumnus who studied in the Art in Urban Life program, to a range of interdisciplinary artists and photographers with the “Narrative Portraiture” exhibition featuring diverse approaches and viewpoints towards personal and cultural identities.

From March 2 to April 3, Adam Viens and Valerie Lyons, two established artists from Connecticut, will grace the gallery with their concurrent exhibitions, “The Ethics of Ambiguity” and “Not All Birds are Blackbirds.” An artist talk will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 3:15 PM with a reception following from 4:00 to 5:30 PM.

Planning is in the works for next year’s roster, so please keep an eye on the William Simpson Fine Arts Series schedule for dates and times. The gallery is free and open to the public.