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By Carol Rosse
The arts received an enormous boost in St. Charles County in May with the grand opening of the Foundry Art Centre, located at the north end of Main Street near the historic St. Charles riverfront.
Overlooking the Missouri River, the Foundry is located in the 36,800-square-foot 1940-era building that was formerly part of the American Car and Foundry complex. After six months, the $2.2 million renovation project is in its final stages of completion.
For the visual arts, there is 5,000 square feet of exhibition space, where visitors can view special touring exhibitions, curated exhibits and juried competitions. The on-going rotation of exhibits encourages continuous community interaction.
Studios for artists have been built on the mezzanine level of the building, fitted with open glass fronts to allow visitors to see and talk with them as they practice their crafts. Artists involved in painting, sculpture, ceramics, book arts, photography and other art forms began filling up the 21 available studio spaces on July 1st.
“What makes this center different are the artists’ studios, which give the public a chance to watch art being created,” says Joyce Rosen, executive director of the Foundry. “It gives the community a true cultural arts experience.”
 Artist Fraser Leonard works in his studio at the Foundry Art Centre. |
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Fraser Leonard, one of the first artists to set up shop at the Foundry, agrees. Having a studio on the second floor not only provides exposure for his work but also serves as an educational opportunity for the general public. “From a cultural perspective, the studio aspect of the Foundry opens the door to something new in this region,” he says. “The perceptions of outside visitors often influence what I’m doing...whether it’s consciously or subconsciously. I also appreciate the networking and camaraderie opportunities that continue to develop between the in-house artists.”
This fall and into 2005, the Foundry will boast a variety of exhibits. “Paperworks In, On and Of Paper” is open to work in any media, and runs from Oct. 22 through Dec. 5; “On the Move” features kinetic sculpture and movable books, from Dec. 10 through Jan. 23; and “Pulp Fiction,” involving constructed realities, goes from Feb. 4 to Mar. 20, 2005.
Aside from the visual arts, a stage in the Grand Hall provides an excellent space for performances and community concerts. Indeed, the Foundry is slated to be the new home of the St. Charles County Symphony. There is also an art gallery and studio designed especially for children and families.
The St. Charles facility is modeled after the highly successful Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Va.—one of only
two similar projects in the nation. The Alexandria center was established in a 1918 factory that produced torpedoes during World Wars I and II. In 1974, the building was renovated and the Torpedo Factory Art Center was established. It now hosts more than 800,000 visitors annually.
Rosen hopes for similar success at the Foundry. “We see the Foundry Art Centre as an exciting and dynamic education, visual and performing arts center for the entire St. Charles community,” she says. “The warehouse architectural development... serves as a significant tourist attraction for all creative people and friends of the arts, as well as those who have never ‘tasted’ the arts, but are intrigued to know more.”
A major fundraising campaign is currently underway to ensure the long-term viability of the new Foundry Art Centre. For more information about current exhibits, patronage and membership, contact the Foundry at (636) 255-0270, or visit online at www.foundryartcentre.org.
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