Take a drive around the Springs community and ever farther away and you will notice pink signs with white question marks. What's this all about?
Springs School is preparing for the return of its Mystery Art Sale, which will take place at Ashawagh Hall on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13. The opening night sales event will be from 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, when the sale is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is usually the busiest day. During this time, there will be an Artist Thank-You Toast at 5 and a closing party from 5 to 7 p.m. Artwork can be picked up on June 14 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The sale will feature artwork by community members and teachers along with work by students in first through eighth grades. When a person is interested in a piece of art, they can buy it, but they won't know who the artist is until they pick it up, which is why it's a mystery.
"The sale encourages people to purchase artwork on pure aesthetic and not who made it," said Laura Marino, one of the school's art teachers.
All pieces are 5-by-7 inches and will be sold for $20 each. They include collages, paintings, and drawings.
The purpose of the Mystery Art Sale is to support art programs at the school. The last event was in 2024. Money from that sale was used to buy a kiln for the art department. Now all students in first through eighth grades get to learn how to use clay during art class.
The Mystery Art Sale brings many community members together for a great cause. "Springs artists and other artists all come together in celebration of our school community and the love of art," said Leah Moliterno, a first-grade teaching assistant and P.T.A. member.
By Colin Stone, Grade 6