The Jule Collins Smith Art Museum was a wedding anniversary gift given by Albert Smith, a 1947 Auburn University graduate; to the university to as a fiftieth anniversary gift for his wife Jule and since opening its doors in 2003 it has been the gift that has kept giving. The museum has embraced the community, and in turn the community has fallen for the museum.

Many activities are planned at the museum, some focusing on the Auburn University community, but many specializing in the greater Auburn-Opelika area. The museum is a family friendly place, and encourages families to come in and make memories together.

The museum’s mission statement “Art changes lives. Our mandate within the larger mission of Auburn University is to preserve, enhance, research and interpret the collections entrusted to us. Through the presentation of compelling exhibitions and programming to our diverse audiences, we foster the transformative power of art.” Simply confirms the willingness of the Jule Collins Smith Art Museum to use art to enrich the lives of all the citizens in the greater Auburn area.  

One of the many activities that the Museum has been sponsoring is the Saturday Art Club. Each Saturday focuses on a special artistic skill. Specially design for kindergarten through high school age students. The Museum sets up three separate stations based on age: the youngest students (K-second grade), the middle students (third grade-seventh grade), and the oldest (eighth grade to twelfth grade).

The room and supplies are set up to encourage parents to interact with their children. The Saturday Art Club is held from 10am-1pm on select Saturdays including February 12, February 26, March 26, and April 30. 
The activity on February 12 will be printmaking, which is “a technique to make the same image multiple times,” says Jule Collins Smith Museum Educational Curator Andrew Henley.

February 26 will focus on landscapes. March 26 will work with clay, and the April club will look at playing by the rules. The cost of the Saturday Art Club is free. This includes the art supplies and the instructors time Andrew Henley says that “art club is entirely free; we are funded through a grant from the city of Auburn for K-12 arts outreach, so it is available to anyone who can make it to the Museum.”

Curator Henley talks about the summer plans for the Saturday Art Club, “This summer we will be extending it.” He states that “During the summer from Memorial day to Labor day, every Saturday, except for the 4th of July weekend.”
The Saturday Art Club is a perfect time for parents to connect and enjoy a special outing and create a lasting memento.