Staff
Foundry Art Centre
520 North Main Center
Saint Charles, Missouri 63301
Phone: 636-255-0270
Fax: 636-925-0345
Hilda Andres | Executive Director
Hilda brings with her twelve years of experience in art museums. Before joining the Foundry Art Centre, Hilda was Director of Community Engagement and Education for the Swope Art Museum in Terre Haute, IN; a role connecting the museum with the community through relevant programs, outreach, fund-raising, and collaboration. She is an advocate for the arts believing it improves the quality of life, community, and economic development in the city. She was named one of the top “Women in Business” by Terre Haute Living in 2019.
Previous roles included Education and Program Coordinator for the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA, Museum of Contemporary Art Educator, and Director of Development for the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art.
She led major initiatives with community arts leaders and The City of Terre Haute to obtain the Art and Cultural Designation for Downtown Terre Haute through the Indiana Arts Commission.
Hilda has her Masters in Leadership Development from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a Bachelors of Fine Arts with an Art History Minor from Indiana University Herron School of Art and Design.
Jessica Mannisi | Director of Exhibitions
Jessica is a St. Louis-based curator, arts consultant, and art historian with 20 years of experience in the museum and gallery field. She’s devoted to supporting regional arts, and has worked closely with award-winning artists and organizations to elevate the local arts community.
She has led the art & exhibitions programming at the Foundry Art Centre since 2020. A jack-of-all-trades in galleries and museums, her primary roles are curator of the Foundry’s 3600sqft Main Galleries of rotating exhibitions and organizer of the Foundry's large-scale art events and programs, including the annual Block Party, the Grand Hall Mural Project, and the Foundry’s First Friday Series.
After earning her graduate degree in Museum Studies from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Jessica was the assistant curator/registrar of the William & Florence Schmidt Art Center at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois. She followed this 8-year tenure as the assistant curator of visual art for the Angad Arts Hotel in St. Louis’ Grand Center, curating the permanent collection and the Hotel’s inaugural exhibition year. Prior to joining the Foundry, Jessica was an independent consultant and the curatorial director of Houska Gallery in the Central West End, St. Louis.
Paige Jenkins | Event Specialist
Paige Jenkins, a St. Charles native, joined the Foundry Art Centre family in September 2021 as the Special Events Coordinator. After graduating from the University of Missouri with a bachelors in Early Childhood Education, she worked in Missouri Public Schools for four years. In Columbia, MO, Paige worked in an arts integrated elementary school and fell in love with sharing the magic of the arts with others. She moved back to St. Charles and continued her work in elementary schools for three more years. At the end of the 2020-21 school year, she decided to change career paths. Paige has always had a love for the arts, as well as a passion for helping others. At the Foundry Art Centre, she gets the best of both worlds. For your next event, be sure to talk with Paige about hosting it at the Foundry Art Centre!
Christine Tavares | Education & Program Coordinator
Christine Tavares is a St. Charles artist and educator with over 20 years in the education field. She is passionate about art education and has taught a wide variety of ages from pre-k to adult. Her specialty is ceramics, but she is professionally trained in all forms of art.
After earning her bachelor's degree in Studio Art from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Christine began her career as a working artist and participated in many local art fairs selling her functional ceramics and connecting with the local communities through art. After several years as a working artist, Christine felt called to share her passion for art through teaching. In 2011, Christine began her teaching career as the art teacher at a local private school. Today, Christine brings that same passion for art and art education to the Foundry as the program coordinator.
Michele Kerans | Guest Services & Foundry Art Camp Coordinator
Michele, along with her husband and three daughters, has called St. Charles County home for the last 17 years. Michele is a veteran home school teacher who is passionate about creating and exploring new artistic mediums. Having taught art in the private sector for the last 9 years, her classroom is both fun and experimental. As a teacher, she encourages her students to think outside the box, unleash their creativity, and develop their artistic voice. When not creating she can be found hiking the gorgeous trails of Missouri.
Andy Trautwein | Facilities Coordinator
Emily Lucas | Events & Exhibitions Assistant