Founded in Spring 2009, Spells soon launched a series of writing workshops at donated spaces such as bookstores, community centers, other non-profit organizations, and schools. During the next six months, we served more than 200 students from all over the city.

That fall, Elizabeth Grimaldi from the Village of Arts and Humanities invited Spells to consider moving into a building on its campus. The Village offers a diverse selection of arts programming, but Grimaldi felt it was lacking a literacy element, and that there was a great need in the community for writing-focused instruction. Spells Writing Lab opened its center at 2526 N. Alder Street in January 2010 and enjoys a strong partnership with the Village even as it remains an independent, growing organization.

Check out some photos from our early days:

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