The Foundry Art Centre resides in what was once a train car factory – a 1920s structure formerly owned by American Car & Foundry. Rather than demolish the 36,800 square foot building, the community of St. Charles worked tirelessly to complete a $2.2 million renovation and opened the region’s premiere, interactive, interdisciplinary art center in the spring of 2004. Since that time, the Foundry has become a cultural beacon in the region that raises awareness and appreciation of the arts. Alive with activity, the Foundry’s programming reinforces the importance of the arts and helps ensure that arts and culture remain vital. Artists, patrons, young people and the community at large continually find new ways to interact at this unique facility and help it fulfil it mission to connect people with the arts through exhibitions, studio artists, performances, and education.