APSU’s Community School of the Arts announces new coordinator and Spring 2020 classes

 Dawn Dickins, CSA coordinator

Clarksville, TN – The Community School of the Arts (CSA) at Austin Peay has announced the hiring of a new coordinator – Dawn Martin Dickins. Dickins, a visual artist with a concentration in drawing, has worked for the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA, or “seek-ah”) at Austin Peay for two years as the programs manager. She assumed her new role as CSA Coordinator this Fall. The Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA, or “seek-ah”) took over the management of the CSA in 2017.

“Dawn was already such a vital part of our team at CECA and, with her background as an artist and art educator, she’s the perfect person to take on the CSA in order to help it grow,” Dr. Janice Crews, CECA director, said. 

Community engagement is at the heart of the CSA. The number of children and adults that come to APSU’s campus each week to take part in CSA classes and workshops is growing. All classes offered through CSA are open and available to the public. While fees vary, enrollment at APSU is not required to take part in any CSA course and most classes do not require any prior experience. CSA courses are skill-based, allowing students to focus on personal goals. Without competition or the pressure to perform, students can enjoy a relaxed environment while still learning from the experts.

“I’m so excited to begin this new role as CSA Coordinator,” Dickins said. “Having spent 20 years as an artist and university professor, I understand the importance of the arts and the difference it can make in someone’s life. My hope is to help the community find their love of the arts. It’s never too early or too late.”

 One of many CSA dance classes.

CSA Spring 2020 classes include: 

• Advanced Ceramics
• Art for Teens
• Art for Children
• Mindful Art (for 5^th–8^th grade)
• Digital Photography
• The Short Film
• Beginning Knitting
• Beginning Guitar
• Beginning Ukulele
• Ballet
• Jazz
• Tap
• Expression Through Dance I and II
• Creative Writing for Military and Families

To learn more and register for courses, visit the CSA’s website at www.apsu.edu/csa or contact Dickins by phone at 931-221-7876, or by email at csa@apsu.edu.