Ice-cream theme promotes summer art classes at Strawn Gallery

The Art Association of Jacksonville used a playful ice-cream theme to spotlight summer classes at the David Strawn Art Gallery, turning a seasonal promotion into a practical local option for families looking for something creative close to home. Kirby Drennan will lead the classes in pottery and children’s art at 331 W. College Ave. in Jacksonville.

The lineup matters because it reaches both adults and children instead of serving just one age group. For parents, grandparents and caregivers in Morgan County, the appeal is straightforward: a structured summer activity in town, led by a named instructor, in a place that already carries Jacksonville’s arts identity. The gallery’s setting gives the classes a built-in sense of place, and the ice-cream theme adds a lighter hook to help the program stand out during a crowded season of camps and events.

That practical value sits on top of a long local history. The Art Association of Jacksonville was formed in 1873 with the purpose of studying and appreciating fine arts. On Feb. 19, 1915, Dr. David Strawn deeded his home to the association to be used as an art gallery, and the David Strawn Art Gallery says it has held continuous art exhibits from 1915 to the present.

The summer classes also help keep the gallery active during a stretch when its regular season generally runs from September through May. In that sense, the program does more than fill a calendar slot. It keeps the Strawn name visible, brings people back into the building and reinforces the role the gallery has played in Jacksonville for generations.

Visitors who come for the classes will find the gallery at 331 W. College Ave., and the first floor is fully accessible by lift from accessible parking behind the building. The site’s permanent collections include early Mississippi and Native American pottery and the Miriam Cowgur Allen doll collection, along with rotating exhibits by local artists. That mix of history, hands-on learning and easy access gives the summer classes a strong local case: they are not just arts programming, but a convenient way to keep children creating and families connected to one of Jacksonville’s oldest cultural institutions.