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Located on the riverbank in the historic Frenchtown district of St. Charles – Missouri’s oldest city on the Missouri River - the Foundry resides in what was once a train car factory. Rather than demolish this 1940s structure, the region’s arts community and the local officials of St. Charles saw the potential for the 36,800 square foot building just steps away from the city’s riverfront park. The City of St. Charles made the project possible with a transaction for the property and a financial commitment for renovation and ongoing support. THE IMPACT OF THE NEW CENTRE As a vibrant home to the arts, the Foundry Art Centre will raise awareness and appreciation of the arts throughout the region. Alive with activity, the Center’s programming will reinforce the importance of the arts and help ensure that arts and culture remain vital. Artists, patrons, young people, and the community at large will find new ways to interact at this unique facility. For the visual arts, the Foundry Art Center will include 5,000 square feet of exhibition space of Smithsonian caliber to host national exhibitions. Special touring exhibitions, curated exhibits and juried competitions will be displayed in the galleries, involving a variety of media. The on-going rotation of these exhibits will encourage continuous community interaction with the Foundry. A stage in the Grand Hall will provide space for performances and community concerts. Studios for artists will be built on a mezzanine level of the building, with open glass fronts to allow visitors to see artists at work and talk with them as they practice their crafts. THE VISION We see the Foundry Art Centre as an exciting and dynamic education, visual and performing arts center for the entire St. Charles Community. The warehouse architectural development that is The Foundry Art Centre will be a significant tourist attraction for all creative people and friends of the arts and those who have never ‘tasted’ the arts, but are intrigued. It will enhance Historical Main Street and offer visitors a place to interact with the artists producing their artwork in The Foundry Art Studios. The Foundry Art Centre promises to be a major element in St. Charles’ plans for community expansion. |
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