2008 Woodie Awards
Giving art a new home
Edwardsville Arts Center looks to find a place of its own
Angie Thomas
Issue date: 6/27/07 Section: News
The Edwardsville Art Center is getting a new home, temporarily.
In the next few months, a new space on Hillsboro Road will be renovated to house a gallery, lecture space and classrooms. The space is to be used while funds are raised to build a permanent location.
About seven years ago, a group of artists involved in the yearly Art East project recognized a need for something more.
"Arts in St. Louis is pretty alive and well, it's over here that we felt a lacking," EAC treasurer Joan Lebkuecher said. "We have wonderful, amazing artists here and Art East is proof of that."
Until now, the EAC has displayed the work of its featured artists at Sacred Grounds, a downtown Edwardsville coffee shop. However the goal of an official temporary center is to gain visibility and awareness of the organization.
SIUE has donated the land for the EAC to build a permanent facility. However, that facility will not be built for some time.
"We have to gain enough presence in the community," Lebkuecher said. "People need to be comfortable with the EAC, what we do and what are mission is."
EAC featured artist Lance Mallon also sees a need for a gallery venue.
"The art movement around the community has grown by leaps and bounds." Mallon said.
Mallon, who has been painting since he was 17, has done showings at many local venues. His work is on display at Sacred Grounds through July 14. The Edwardsville Art Council has done a good job of promoting Sacred Grounds." Mallon said.
Patricia Schuetzenhofer, of the EAC expects that the temporary facility will be open by early August.
"We hope to get more visibility and involvement," Schuetzenhofer said. "We see a real demand. The goal is to get the community involved."
Schuetzenhofer also said that the EAC is in the process of hiring a part-time director for the center and hopes to have him or her in place by mid July.
Along with Sacred Grounds, the EAC has used Edwardsville High School and a local middle school for classes and lectures.
"We are excited to have our own building to offer different times and options for classes and lectures," Schuetzenhofer said.
According to Schuetzenhofer, the monthly exhibits at Sacred Grounds are booked through 2008.
"The goal is to raise awareness for visual arts," Lebkuecher said "the more places we can do that, the better."
In the next few months, a new space on Hillsboro Road will be renovated to house a gallery, lecture space and classrooms. The space is to be used while funds are raised to build a permanent location.
About seven years ago, a group of artists involved in the yearly Art East project recognized a need for something more.
"Arts in St. Louis is pretty alive and well, it's over here that we felt a lacking," EAC treasurer Joan Lebkuecher said. "We have wonderful, amazing artists here and Art East is proof of that."
Until now, the EAC has displayed the work of its featured artists at Sacred Grounds, a downtown Edwardsville coffee shop. However the goal of an official temporary center is to gain visibility and awareness of the organization.
SIUE has donated the land for the EAC to build a permanent facility. However, that facility will not be built for some time.
"We have to gain enough presence in the community," Lebkuecher said. "People need to be comfortable with the EAC, what we do and what are mission is."
EAC featured artist Lance Mallon also sees a need for a gallery venue.
"The art movement around the community has grown by leaps and bounds." Mallon said.
Mallon, who has been painting since he was 17, has done showings at many local venues. His work is on display at Sacred Grounds through July 14. The Edwardsville Art Council has done a good job of promoting Sacred Grounds." Mallon said.
Patricia Schuetzenhofer, of the EAC expects that the temporary facility will be open by early August.
"We hope to get more visibility and involvement," Schuetzenhofer said. "We see a real demand. The goal is to get the community involved."
Schuetzenhofer also said that the EAC is in the process of hiring a part-time director for the center and hopes to have him or her in place by mid July.
Along with Sacred Grounds, the EAC has used Edwardsville High School and a local middle school for classes and lectures.
"We are excited to have our own building to offer different times and options for classes and lectures," Schuetzenhofer said.
According to Schuetzenhofer, the monthly exhibits at Sacred Grounds are booked through 2008.
"The goal is to raise awareness for visual arts," Lebkuecher said "the more places we can do that, the better."
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