Downtown St. Charles Drive to Raise Funds for Public Art

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership’s Public Art Committee is selling trinket boxes as its newest fundraiser, in support of public art projects for downtown St. Charles.

The trinket box features a rendering of the stained glass window above the entryway door to Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., which dates back to approximately 1928. The artist of this iconic image is unknown, but resident and Public Art Committee member Sally Stancati took a photo of the peacock window and adapted the image for the tiled lid of the box.

The Public Art Committee decided on this project to replace the snow globes previously sold, because of the wide appeal of the box. The price point is also lower at only $27 per box, with all proceeds going to fund public art in downtown St. Charles. According to Committee Chairwoman Diana Brown, the images on the box can easily be changed, allowing for a series to be developed over the coming years. It also makes a great keepsake for residents and visitors alike, Brown said.

The Public Art Committee, one of five Downtown St. Charles Partnership committees, improves the aesthetics of downtown St. Charles by commissioning, purchasing, and maintaining public art and encouraging businesses and property owners to do the same. Over the years, this committee has funded the purchase of the Col. Baker sculpture in front of Hotel Baker, as well as the Framework for a Donut and Foxcycle sculptures. Other Public Art Committee funded projects include mural on the outside of Smitty’s, Francesca’s and what is now Prime Bistro. Recently, the committee funded repair work to the murals on the north exterior of Francesca’s.

The trinket boxes can be purchased at the Blue Goose Service counter and the St. Charles Municipal Center Reception Desk. Cash and checks made out to the Downtown St. Charles Partnership are accepted, and the $27.00 includes tax.

• Blue Goose Market, 300 S. 2nd St., St. Charles

• St. Charles Municipal Center, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles

For more information, please contact the Downtown St. Charles Partnership at 630-443-3967 or info@downtownstcharles.org.