Collection Handbook of the Springfield Art Museum

The Springfield Art Museum is Springfield, Missouri’s oldest cultural institution. The Art Study Club, founded in 1926 by a small group of women and led by Deborah D. Weisel, head of the Art Department at State Teachers College (now Missouri State University), was successfully incorporated on June 26, 1928, as the Springfield Art Museum. As the museum’s collection grew, so did the need for a dedicated space. This ultimately led to the construction of the museum’s first building in 1958, after temporary homes in City Hall, the Carnegie Library, and the Wilhoit Plaza. Since then, the museum’s collection has grown steadily and now numbers more than 10,000 objects. After extensive renovation and in advance of the Springfield Art Museum’s 2028 reopening, this handbook invites readers to understand and appreciate the museum’s collection and its regional significance. Carefully curated, it underscores the museum’s role as a cultural cornerstone while providing meaningful access to works spanning various periods, styles, and artistic intentions. The volume features 200 color photographs of artworks held by the museum and is divided into five sections devoted to ceramics, paintings, print drawings and photographs, sculpture, and textiles. Artist quotations throughout the handbook foster a closer connection to the creative process and the personal perspectives behind the works. These voices help bridge the gap often present between viewers and artworks, encouraging a deeper understanding of both the art and the artist. Serving as both an educational resource and an engaging guide, this handbook cultivates a richer appreciation of the museum’s collection and its enduring cultural influence.