Nestled on the banks of the Fox River, St. Charles, Illinois is filled with lots of charm, historic treasures, and plenty of art and antiques. Located an hour west of Chicago, the city is famed for its historic architecture in the downtown shopping districts of "Old St. Charles" on the west bank of the Fox River and "Century Corners" on the east bank. Nearly every decade of the city's 165-year history is represented in the architecture of the downtown business and residential district, including the eye-catching 1940 Art Moderne style of the Municipal Center on Main Street at the Fox River. Listed on the National register of Historic Places, the Georgian-marble covered exterior houses city offices and a historical museum.

Like the many other the many well-preserved original homes and buildings that have been lovingly restored and cared for, the Municipal Center is just one example, of the architectural treasures that house many visitor attractions including cultural museums, art centers, fine dining, specialty boutiques and antique stores.

In fact, antiquing in St. Charles is a tradition dating back to more than thirty years ago, when the nationally renowned Kane County Flea Market began to help establish St. Charles as a place where collectible hunters could gather together in one place and shop for bargains. In addition to the flea market, St. Charles is also famous for its many antique shops that are open year around. Huge antique malls, appropriately named "Antique Markets" I, II, and III are all within walking distance on downtown’s Main Street, between Third and Fourth Streets. The offerings range from period furnishings, collectibles, glassware, American art pottery and porcelain, to books, toys, and railroad memorabilia.

For people searching for authentic Native American Art, The Southwest Trading Company, at 203 West Main Street, is the place to find it. Time-honored traditional designs and unique contemporary jewelry, handcrafted fine art, ranging from bronze to clay and sand to stone, can be found here, including Pueblo pottery from the Fraqua family of the Jemez Pueblo and the Tafoya family of the Santa Clara Pueblo.

Adaptive and creative use of historic buildings can also be found along the streets of Century Corners Historic Shopping District where former mid-19th century homes house a very unique selection of visitor-friendly shops inside the historic structures.

Guests can enjoy an 1853 Greek Revival home that now serves as Town House Books and Café. You can browse through an eclectic blend of used and new books, and then sample steaming fresh coffee, made from scratch soups and sandwiches at the adjacent restaurant on the premises. Footsteps away, you’ll find Black Horse Antiques, which sells antique furniture from Bristol England, and the Warehouse Antique Shoppe and Confectionary, a fun place filled with antiques, primitives and collectibles along with hand-dipped confections, and novelty candies.

Close to the from the many merchants that make up the Century Corners district, is a small, but important art center called The Indigo School of Art and Gallery, at 8 N. Second Avenue. The location is excellent for encouraging residents and newcomers to enjoy a schedule of year-around classes and exhibits that encourage self-expression and creativity.

If you have time, make the drive from here to the Fine Line Creative Arts Center-- a very unusual facility that is housed in a restored barn located in rural Saint Charles, at 6N158 Crane Road. The center offers year round classes for adults, ranging from weaving, knitting, and basket making, to papermaking, pottery, and painting. Available for purchase at the center are yarns from over 25 major companies, looms and spinning wheels; supplies for weaving, knitting, spinning, crocheting, pottery, basketry; beads, buttons, dyes, jewelry findings, books and magazines. The Fine Line’s Kavanagh Gallery is the central space where artists are encouraged to display their work.

Shifra Stein - Writer, author, artist, and workshop presenter, Shifra Stein has written more than 30 books and hundreds of articles for magazines and newspapers, many of which focus on arts-related topics. As an artist, Ms. Stein’s unusual watercolor and mixed media techniques have been featured in many publications.Her artwork hangs in corporate and private collections. In addition, Ms. Stein offers creativity retreats, playshops, and artist and writer workshops around the country. A member of the Missouri Watercolor Society, Greater Kansas City Art Association, and Kansas City Artists Coalition, Ms. Stein is available for workshops, speaking engagements, color consultation, and artist representation. View her artist and workshop portfolio online at www.shifrastein.com, or call (816) 753-3208
To contact Shifra, click below

Bob Barrett - is a nationally known corporate, editorial and fine arts photographer. Bob’s photographs have appeared in art and architectural books such as American Art Deco (Abrams), and Time-Life Books, as well as magazines such as Historic Preservation, National Geographic, Chevron, Midwest Living, North Light Magazine, Star Magazine, Arts Magazine, The Crafts Report, Town & Country, Travel & Leisure, and others. Bob also offers his services to artists, shooting professional quality images of two and three dimensional work suitable for galleries, juried competitions, galleries and internet use. See his website at www.artkc.com/barrett.htm. Bob offers photography workshops for artists and writers through arts organizations, and educational venues.
To contact Bob directly, click below or phone (816)753-3208.

This article Copyright ©2004 - Shifra Stein. Reproduced with permission.