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Visitors Guide to the
William and
Florence
Schmidt Art Center
2700 Carlyle Avenue
Belleville, Illinois
618-222-5278
 A
great number of community colleges have art collections but only a few
have separate facilities for exhibiting the visual arts. Southwestern
Illinois College is fortunate to be one of those few. Located on the
campus of this Belleville institution is the William and Florence Schmidt
Art Center. A lead gift from the William E. Schmidt
Charitable Foundation was the impetus behind this 6,800 sq. ft.
privately funded art center that opened in 2002 and has over 400 permanent
works of art. The permanent collection includes Pre-Columbian Pottery,
Greek Stoneware, "Ogoni" Marionettes, photographs, paintings and
sculptures by artists including Picasso, Dali, Manet, Delacroix,
Cunningham, Adams, Oldenburg, Motherwell, Cristo, Damier, and Close. Open
to the public during normal hours are three galleries which feature
rotating exhibits that feature themed and individual exhibits (photo
right) as well as pieces of the permanent collection. Many pieces of the
permanent collection are displayed in buildings throughout the campus.
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 The Schmidt Art Center also features a collection
of outdoor sculpture consisting of nine works such as Archie Held’s bronze
and stainless steel Reach waterfall (photo right) and Michael Dunbar’s painted steel Astro
Treillage. All nine pieces can be viewed on an easy half hour walk
using the self-guided SclupTour that takes visitors meandering through the
campus. Landscape architect Robert Goetz of St. Louis designed the
accompanying garden and many of the natural backdrops of shrubs and
greenery for the individual pieces. Details about the SculpTour including
a map and additional information can be obtained at the desk inside the
Art Center. The Art Center requests that you respect the “Do Not
Touch” signs. In addition to exhibiting works of art, the Art
Center provides educational programming for students and traveling
exhibits. The Schmidt Art Center offers free events on Thursday evening
that include lectures, receptions, and movies. A low cost Kids
Rule!
program is offered on many Saturdays. |
Visiting
the Schmidt Art Center
Visiting Hours
Tuesday - Friday 11 am
- 5 pm
Extended hours on Thursdays 11 am
- 8 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm
Closed Sunday, Monday, and school holidays
There is no charge to visit the Schmidt Art Center.
Directions: The Schmidt Art Center is located in the
northeast corner of the campus of Southwestern Illinois College. The
College is located approximately 4 ½ miles east of downtown Belleville
and 4 ½ miles south of I-64 at the intersection of Carlyle Road (IL-161)
and Green Mount Road (Exit 16 on I-64.) The Center’s website contains
detailed
driving directions from a number of different locations. Southwestern
Illinois College is also a stop (College Station) on the St.
Louis Metrolink system providing easy access by mass transportation
from a number of locations in the St. Louis area.
Visit the greatriverroad.com
art trail section for more
art related attractions and events in the Middle Mississippi River Valley.
Learn more about the Belleville area.
swicfoundation.com
hosts the official site of the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center.
This site includes the Center's current exhibits and programs, an
interactive online version of the Sculptour, detailed driving directions,
and more!
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