Design Center Renovations Underway

Renovations under in full swing on the new design center in Court Square. First image: this corner was once the private office of the previous tenant-a jeweler, the walls came down to give us more studio space for UMass Amherst students and faculty. .

Second image: Standing inside 7 Elm street, the sheet rock from the wall adjoining 3 and 7 Elm has been removed. In both images the old flooring has been removed, the plywood sanded, the walls have been stripped, and the lovely dilapidated New England Patriots wall banner is nowhere to be seen...

Design Center Construction Kickoff

On February 5th, UMass Amherst Chancellor Robert Holub and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno welcomed invited guests to a construction kick off event for the new design center in Springfield's historic Court Square.

Michael DiPasquale, Director of the design center speaks with a reporter about the 4 current UMass Amherst studios collaborating with the City of Springfield planning department through the new design studio. DiPasquale is also the Director of the Citizen Planning Collaborative, a UMass Amherst Extension program, and a faculty member in the Department of Regional Planning.

Step Afrika! performs for 500 Springfield elementary school students

On February 5th, 500 Springfield public school students from 5 different schools packed Old First Church in an event celebrating Stepping and the Sankofa Youth Reach Stepping program. Critically acclaimed Step Afrika! from Washington DC, performed and spoke on the power of education and self expression. The three schools involved in the Sankofa Youth Reach Stepping Program; Gerena, Rebecca Johnson, and Zanetti, performed what they learned to a cheering student crowd. Springfield Mayor, Domenic Sarno was there to welcome students along with John Mullin, Chair of the Greater Springfield/UMass Amherst Partnership and Dean of the Graduate School at UMass Amherst.