Art museums can be found all along the Great River Road in the Art Museums - Middle Mississippi River Valley. These museums come in all different sizes and are run by variety of organizations. greatriverroad.com has compiled this guide to aid art lovers easily find what they are looking for.
Foundry Art Centre
Saint Charles, Missouri
Fort Madison Area Arts Association Gallery Depot
Fort Madison, Iowa
The FMAAA Gallery Depot is housed in the renovated Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Passenger Depot and features fine art exhibits, as well as a sales gallery carrying the works of over 60 local artists. They boast great featured "Artists of the Month" exhibits, Lunch-a-la-Art, play host to tours and special major events, and periodically offer special classes.
Quincy Art Center
Quincy, Illinois
The Quincy Art Center, a museum of the visual arts, was started in 1923 and is located on the grounds of the former Lorenzo Bull mansion, now the Women’s City Club. In 1990 an award-winning addition was opened with galleries and a gift shop with studio space in the lower level. A variety of rotating exhibitions are presented throughout the year. Important contemporary Midwestern art is a primary focus, and work by artists of national and international renown are also featured.
Hannibal Arts Council Galleries
Hannibal, Missouri
The Hannibal Arts Council was founded in 1976 to enhance the quality of life in Hannibal. What started out as a group of community leaders with an idea has grown into a multi-discipline community arts agency with staff, committees and volunteers presenting a full schedule of year-round art programs within the community and in its South Main Street facility. Give yourself a special treat and stop by the Hannibal Arts Council Gallery - monthly exhibits spotlight local and regional artists. Works on exhibit and for sale! Opening Receptions for each exhibit allow you to meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and connect with friends.
Henry Lay Sculpture Park
Louisiana, Missouri
The 20-acre Henry Lay Sculpture Park is surrounded by a 300-acre natural refuge with a well-maintained path that takes visitors on a 40-minute walk past approximately 20 sculptures by internationally known artists. The Park also features a “Story Woods” for children.
Louisiana Murals
Louisiana, Missouri
Due to a change in shopping habits, Louisiana has seen a transformation in the last thirty years similar to other small cities around the country. In order to revitalize the business districts these towns now promote attractions to encourage visitors. In 2000 the Louisiana Mural Organization was formed with the purpose of improving the visual aesthetics of this historic river town as well as supporting the new specialty businesses, the fine restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. To date 23 murals are proudly displayed and Louisiana has been named “Route 79 Mural city” by Mayoral proclamation.
Village of Elsah Museum
Elsah, Illinois
This local history museum operated by the Historic Elsah Foundation. The Foundation holds an annual photography contest and exhibition. The museum is open April through October on Fridays through Sundays from 1 pm - 4 pm.
Jacoby Arts Center
Alton, Illinois
This facility in downtown Alton is located in the renovated 1899 Jacoby furniture store. The Jacoby Arts Center features an art gallery on the first floor with rotating exhibits by local artists and offers classes for adults and children.
William & Florence Schmidt Art Center
Belleville, Illinois
This privately funded art gallery was opened in 2002 on the Southwestern Illinois College campus and has a permanent and teaching art collection more than 400 pieces. Sculptures, paintings, photographs, lithographs and monographs from renowned artists such as Claus Moor, Salvador Dali, Ansel Adams, Rembrandt Van Rijn, and Robert Motherwell are included in the collection which also features a beautifully landscaped sculpture garden and walkway. The Schmidt Art Center and Gallery regularly features special exhibitions and is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Misselhorn Art Gallery
Sparta, Illinois
Housed in the old GM&O railroad depot are over 2,000 works of the renown Southern Illinois sketch artist Roscoe Misselhorn who many call the Norman Rockwell of the Midwest. Also feature at the Gallery are exhibits by contemporary artists.
Rosemary Berkel and Harry L Crisp II Museum
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
The Rosemary Berkel and Harry L Crisp II Museum is located at Southeast Missouri State University's new River Campus. This museum features fine art exhibitions and interpretive regional history displays. The Museum Theatre runs a seventeen-minute video introducing visitors to southeast Missouri’s rich natural and human history. The Permanent Exhibition Gallery displays, artifacts, and multimedia installations explore aspects of the region’s geology, pre-history, transportation, agriculture, and Civil War battles. The Temporary Exhibition Gallery features changing exhibitions displaying works by local, regional, national, and international artists.
Sikeston Depot Museum
Sikeston, Missouri
Built as the Iron Mountain Railroad Train Depot in 1916, Sikeston Depot became a museum and cultural center in 2000. The Depot features dozens of permanent and rotating exhibits depicting the area's history and art. The Depot was built in 1916 by the Iron Mountain. Soon after the building was constructed, the line was acquired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company. The Depot was closed as a railroad facility in 1985. Concerned citizens met to discuss revitalized the Depot and in 2000 it reopened as the Sikeston Historical and Cultural Center. The renovated facility contains a historic museum section recounting the most important aspects of area culture, an exhibition hall where rotating and traveling exhibits are displayed, and an art gallery.
Hart-Stepp House
New Madrid, Missouri
Operated by the New Madrid Historical Museum, the Hart-Stepp House Art Gallery is housed in the oldest home in New Madrid. The facility opened as an art gallery in 2010 and features the work the area's most talented artists including photographers, painters, crafters, and artists of all ages with exhibits changing monthly.
Bradbury Museum
Jonesboro, Arkansas
The Bradbury Museum on the campus of Arkansas State University features changing exhibitions of contemporary art in all mediums. Regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists are represented to inform viewers of cultural developments across the US and around the world. The Bradbury Museum is also the site of the Delta National Small Prints Exhibition. At the end of each spring and fall semester the gallery also features artwork by graduating seniors from the ASU Department of Art.
