Amherst Community Arts Center (ACAC) was incorporated in March of 2005.  Formerly Mudpie Center for Visual Arts (founded 1999), ACAC separated from Mudpie to become its own entity in 2004.  ACAC originally occupied a small 2-room space at 534 Main Street.  In the summer of 2004, ACAC expanded into the neighboring space to encompass 800 square feet.

ACAC is conveniently located walking distance from the center of town, is on the bus line and provides parking.  There are three studios within the ACAC space: a jewelry studio (equipped for both silver-smithing and enameling); a clay studio with 9 potters' wheels, a hand building room, a slab roller and an electric kiln; a mixed media room for drawing, painting and mixed material classes. ACAC prides itself on being an inclusive organization that welcomes people of all ages and all abilities.  Our facility is handicapped accessible, including a potter's wheel that can be adjusted for use with a wheelchair.

ACAC has four primary programs throughout the year: seasonal 8-week art classes offered to children and adults in collaboration with Amherst Leisure Services and Supplemental Education (LSSE); summer art programs for children; Art For All--an inclusion art program for children with and without special needs; and ArtReach--traveling kindergarten art classes.
 

Executive Director:

Hillary Milens

Hillary graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While attending UMass, Hillary first joined ACAC as a workstudy intern from 2003-2004. Hillary returned to Amherst in the fall of 2005 to take the position of Director of Operations at ACAC, and became Executive Director a year later.

Hillary is a native of Burlington, Vermont, but happily resides in the Pioneer Valley. In addition to working at ACAC, she is pursuing her own career as an artist. Hillary exhibits locally and around New England.

 Greenman Tile by Deborah Bazer

Tina Clark has been working with children ages 2-16 for 13 years and teaching at ACAC for 5 years. She has a BFA and a MA in Multicultural Education from UMass Amherst. Tina also teaches at Greenfield Elementary and paints with acrylic on large canvas.

David Costello has been working with children for 15 years. He has a BA in Art and Theater from Bard College in NY. He is a scenic artist, author and illustrator.  David’s first children’s book, Here They Come, was published in 2004.

Lucy Fagella received her B.F.A. in ceramics from Alfred University with a minor in Art Education. She has taught ceramics for more than twenty years. Her work can be found locally and nationally in shops and galleries. Visit her website: www.luciapottery.com

Dara Herman-Zierlein has been teaching with ACAC for 7 years both as an art instructor at the center and for the Kindergarten Outreach program. Dara has a BFA from the Pratt Institute in New York and a MA in Art Education from Columbia University and has been teaching for 12 years.

Tiffany Hilton has a BS in Fine Arts and Art History from the State University of New York/New Paltz and has been teaching pottery for almost 10 years. She has worked at Snow Farm, Northfield Mount Hermon, Kit Cornell Pottery and the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston.

Margaret Langdell graduated from the Jewelry Program at the North Bennet Street School in 2000. She has been a working metal-smith and enamelist since 1991. Margaret teachs metalwork and enameling at both ACAC and at the Brookline Arts Center. Margaret also runs her own studio and is a published writer on the subject of enameling. Visit her website: www.langdellstudios.com

Bernadette Marian is a local teacher and artist, has been working with clay for 13 years.  Bernadette has been working with children for 16 years, and with special-needs children for the past 6 years.  Bernadette brings a free-spirited enthusiasm to creating all things out of clay, whether throwing pots or sculpting creatures such as dragons and toads.