627 E. Broadway
Alton, Illinois
618-462-5222

Crossing the Clark Bridge to comb the antique shops or scout for eagles along the Great River Road, you will find the Jacoby Arts Center, an exciting stop to enrich your itinerary. Housed in the renovated 1899 Jacoby furniture store on Broadway this three-story, 40,000-square-foot brick building was donated to the Madison County Arts Council by C. J. Jacoby and Co., Inc. and opened as an art center in 2004. In this facility you will find a sparkling art gallery, a dynamic educational facility, and an array of exquisite artisans' crafts.

Classes for adults and children feature native arts such as pottery, stained glass, mosaics, watercolor, colored pencil explorations, Christmas gourd ornaments and book arts using Japanese binding techniques and handmade paper from garden plants, farmer's crops and recycled paper.

A small gift shop offers choice items by native artists: a crimson snow-flake twill scarf woven in silk and merino wool, delicate white-on-white raku pots, CDs of original music composed in honor of the Clark Bridge and North American Indians, artful cards, meltin-your-mouth English toffee, and baskets filled with the makings of your own masterpiece.

The Jacoby Arts Center is a beacon in downtown Alton, attracting community interest and art lovers from across the country. Over the next few years, the council plans to refurbish the rest of the building and has plans to have a music conservatory and studio space, where the public could view artists in action on the second and third floors. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 pm to 5 pm and Sundays 12 pm to 4 pm. Admission is free and members are entitled to discounts on classes and gifts. Treat yourself to the discovery of a wealth of local talent, creative opportunities and the renaissance of River Bend culture. Class schedules and the current newsletter will be sent upon request by calling 618-462-5222.