The Edwardsville Arts Center has announced the opening of its first exhibition in a new gallery space at 246 N. Main St., with a public reception on June 30. The inaugural show celebrates the 100th anniversary of Route 66, featuring regional artists working in photography, painting, and mixed media who explore themes of movement, nostalgia, and roadside Americana. A highlight is a large birthday cake sculpture created by Alumni Players! members Cynthia Hamilton and Brad Lewis, built with a canvas for Hamilton to paint Route 66 imagery.
This exhibition marks a significant milestone for the Edwardsville Arts Center as it expands into a permanent downtown location, purchased by the city of Edwardsville in fall 2025. The new gallery will serve as a hub for exhibitions and community engagement, strengthening the organization's mission to connect people through the arts. The opening signals both a celebration of a historic highway anniversary and a new chapter for the arts center's presence in the heart of the city.