This FREE event features interactive art projects for all ages, a print market, food trucks, beer booths, live music, heavy machinery, and steamroller printing.

The Foundry’s Block Party centers on a unique and over-the-top method of printmaking, using a STEAMROLLER! Large-scale images created by regional artists are carved on large woodblocks. St. Louis print house Grafik House’s team of inkers roll ink onto these blocks, canvas is laid on top, and then the whole thing is run over with a steamroller – squishing the ink from the woodblock to the sheet. These fantastic prints will be taken into the Foundry’s Grand Hall to dry on display.

In addition to the steamroller prints, the Foundry’s Block Party features an interactive, heavy machinery and vehicle display in the Foundry’s parking lot, where families can interact with the St. Charles Public Works Department, and more. The Foundry will also host live music and food & drinks throughout the day. Visitors are invited to visit artist and sponsor booths, print demonstrations, free art activities for all ages, and of course, to view all of the prints created throughout the day.

Monthly on Wednesdays: December 4, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 7, June 11, July 9, August 13 | 6 - 8 pm | $15 per session

The Foundry Art Centre is offering an opportunity to draw from a live model without instruction. The Foundry will provide a model for 2 hours during which participants can practice their figure drawing at their own pace, work on incorporating a figure into an existing piece, or however they’d like to use their time. Foundry staff members – who are also practicing artists – will facilitate the session. Each session will include a series of short poses (1 – 5 min) as well as some longer poses (10 – 20min).  It is recommended that participants bring tools and surfaces of their choice to the session.

First Friday of every month, 5-8 PM

On the first Friday of each month, families and visitors of all ages are invited to join the Foundry and celebrate the arts. The FAC will be open for extended hours through 8pm for visitors to spend time in the galleries, meet resident studio artists, engage with the community, and enjoy a wide array of art programming, entertainment, and special events.

May Invitation to Create
Saturdays in May | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by artist Katherine Alexander who is featured in out East gallery this month. Drop in on a Saturday in May to decorate a clay egg using Pysanky (the traditional Ukrainian art of writing on eggs). Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

CANCELLED - May Invitation to Create
Saturdays in May | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by artist Katherine Alexander who is featured in out East gallery this month. Drop in on a Saturday in May to decorate a clay egg using Pysanky (the traditional Ukrainian art of writing on eggs). Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

Join us for an international day of celebration of botanical art and its unique power to educate, promote ecological awareness, and enrich lives. The day will include artist demonstrations, activities for families, heirloom seed sales, and speakers presentations regarding different facets of crop diversity.

Speaker Schedule

12noon: Jody Williams, Executive Director of ASBA and Carol Woodin, Exhibitions Director of ASBA
1pm: Briana Smorstad, Seed Bank Manager, Seed Savers Exchange
2pm: Weston Adams, Head Plant Breeder, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
3pm: Colin Khoury, Senior Scientist & Director of Food Plant Research

Botanical Art Worldwide participants include Australia, Austria/Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Scotland, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, Ukraine, UK, US

More info: https://www.botanicalartworldwide.info/

May Invitation to Create
Saturdays in May | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by artist Katherine Alexander who is featured in out East gallery this month. Drop in on a Saturday in May to decorate a clay egg using Pysanky (the traditional Ukrainian art of writing on eggs). Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

*Please note that Invitation to Create will only take place on May 3, 10, and 17th this month.**

Evening Stitch ‘n B***h
Monthly on Third Thursdays: May 15 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm | FREE

Stitch ‘n Bitch with us during the Foundry’s new FREE fiber crafts club. All fiber crafts are welcome, from knitting, to embroidery, to crochet and beyond. Whether it’s your first time trying it, or you’re a pro. This is not a fibers class, but crafters are welcome to help each other out. Vibe with us as we craft, and… bitch. Join us! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.

https://foundryartcentre.org/adult-workshops

Monthly on Wednesdays: December 4, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13 | 6 - 8 pm | $15 per session

The Foundry Art Centre is offering an opportunity to draw from a live model without instruction. The Foundry will provide a model for 2 hours during which participants can practice their figure drawing at their own pace, work on incorporating a figure into an existing piece, or however they’d like to use their time. Foundry staff members – who are also practicing artists – will facilitate the session. Each session will include a series of short poses (1 – 5 min) as well as some longer poses (10 – 20min).  It is recommended that participants bring tools and surfaces of their choice to the session.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

May Invitation to Create
Saturdays in May | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by artist Katherine Alexander who is featured in out East gallery this month. Drop in on a Saturday in May to decorate a clay egg using Pysanky (the traditional Ukrainian art of writing on eggs). Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

*Please note that Invitation to Create will only take place on May 3, 10, and 17th this month.**

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

May Invitation to Create
Saturdays in May | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by artist Katherine Alexander who is featured in out East gallery this month. Drop in on a Saturday in May to decorate a clay egg using Pysanky (the traditional Ukrainian art of writing on eggs). Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

*Please note that Invitation to Create will only take place on May 3, 10, and 17th this month.**

First Friday of every month, 5-8 PM

We’re celebrating spring and the women who inspire us! Join us for a First Friday featuring makers who specialize in spring-themed goodies and gifts for women - THE perfect opportunity to shop for the mothers and mother figures in your life.

Bonus! Snag some spring-inspired tattoos with Ben Graham and his crew!

Live music by the Bishops, the Foundry bar, and art activities will also be on deck, as always for our First Fridays.

Daytime Stitch ‘n B***h
Monthly on Thursdays: May 1 | 10 am to 12 pm | FREE

New to the Foundry this year, we will offer a Stitch session monthly during the day!

Stitch n’ Bitch with us during the Foundry Art Centre’s FREE fiber crafts club! All fiber crafts are welcome from knitting, to embroidery, to crochet, and beyond. This not a class-but of course all skill levels are welcome and crafters are welcome to help each other out. Stitch n’ Bitch is an inclusive environment and everyone is welcome. Vibe out with us as we craft, and… bitch. BYO snacks. Join us! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able

https://foundryartcentre.org/adult-workshops

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

April Invitation to Create
Saturdays in April | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free 

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by the American Society of Botanical Artists. Drop in on a Saturday in April to view these beautiful creations in our Main Gallery, and then create your own botanical prints. Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

Learn more about Katherine Alexander’s current exhibition, Hatchless Flight, currently on view in the Main Galleries.

Katherine Alexander is a modern artist in the ancient art of pysanky. Born in upstate New York, Katherine learned this folk art in the traditional way, from her mother while sharing a candle and awaiting spring. Her academic background includes a Bachelor's from Kansas State University and a Master of Arts, graduating Cum Laude, from Webster University.

Professionally, Katherine’s artwork has been exhibited from Florida to California in galleries and exhibits. She is a “Pysanky USA Master Artist” and has had her work displayed in the “Pysanky Museum” of Kolomyia Ukraine.  She shares her passion for pysanky with a dedicated online community, producing a popular "Pysanka of the Week" video series for over half a million followers across her social media platforms.

Katherine is committed to elevating this craft to fine art status and is one of only a few pysanky artists pursuing juried art fairs and gallery exhibits. Her awards include “Best of Show” at Art St. Louis, “Blick Outstanding Artist” at Laumeier Art Fair, and “Second Place” at Columbia Art in the Park. She continues to explore the artistic possibilities of this medium, pushing boundaries while honoring the rich cultural heritage of pysanky.

April Invitation to Create
Saturdays in April | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free 

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by the American Society of Botanical Artists. Drop in on a Saturday in April to view these beautiful creations in our Main Gallery, and then create your own botanical prints. Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

Evening Stitch ‘n B***h
Monthly on Third Thursdays: April 17, May 15 | 6:00 to 8:00 pm | FREE

Stitch ‘n Bitch with us during the Foundry’s new FREE fiber crafts club. All fiber crafts are welcome, from knitting, to embroidery, to crochet and beyond. Whether it’s your first time trying it, or you’re a pro. This is not a fibers class, but crafters are welcome to help each other out. Vibe with us as we craft, and… bitch. Join us! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.

https://foundryartcentre.org/adult-workshops

EVERY TUESDAY AT 10:00 AM

Join us for Art Start every Tuesday morning! Art Start is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Art Start story times are geared to the  2–5-year-old preschooler with a caregiver. We will explore several books together and create a small art project that pairs with the stories. Art Start is always FREE.

For groups of more than 5 please call for accommodations. Siblings welcome.

April Invitation to Create
Saturdays in April | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | All Ages | Free 

This month’s Invitation to Create will feature an art project inspired by the American Society of Botanical Artists. Drop in on a Saturday in April to view these beautiful creations in our Main Gallery, and then create your own botanical prints. Instructions, inspiration, and supplies will be provided.

Saturday, April 12 | 11 am to 1 pm | Ages 13+ | $45

Just for teens, this workshop will introduce the basic skills of throwing on the potter’s wheel including centering, opening, pulling and shaping.  Each student will use their creativity to create small cups and bowls.  Students will typically complete around 3-5 pieces to fire.  Students will glaze their favorite pieces, and finished and fired work will be ready for pick-up in 2 weeks (sometimes it takes a little longer).  This class is for teen students (ages 13+) with little to no experience in ceramics. Dress to be messy! If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Foundry as soon as you are able.