Where to browse and buy
Artifacts Glass Studio and Gallery – Artifacts specializes in glass and handmade items, all from local artists. A full glass blowing studio, they offer classes and demonstrations. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tues.-Sun., 1107 South Grand Ave. East, 217-303-2244.
The Blue Door – The Blue Door offers an eclectic variety of fine arts and crafts, exhibiting a unique blend of wall art, jewelry, clothing, furniture and home accessories, ceramics, art glass, quilts, photography and more. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 214 S. Sixth St., 217-753-0262. www.bluedoorart.com.
H.D. Smith Gallery of the Prairie Art Alliance – The Prairie Art Alliance hosts exhibits and free receptions for each exhibit opening, community outreach, classes to the general public and more. Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 420 S. Sixth St. 217-544-2787. www.prairieart.org.
Gallery II of the Prairie Art Alliance – In its location at 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, this gallery in the heart of downtown exhibits its members’ works and offers them for sale. They also host a First Friday soirée the first Friday of every month. 2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 217-544- 2727. www.prairieart.org.
Fashion Afrique – Sale of authentic African fair trade goods helps to improve the economic status of African villagers and craftsmen, working with mission homes helping children and adults living with AIDS/HIV, promoting justice for African craftsmen by discouraging copied African arts by industrial sweatshops. Hours: Monday 12-5:30 p.m., Tues.-Fri. 10:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 414 E. Monroe St., 544-1289. fashionafrique.net.
Illinois State Museum Gift Shop, Illinois Artisans Gallery – The Illinois Artisans Program focuses national attention on the rich heritage of the fine crafting that exists in Illinois. The program markets crafts through the Artisans Shop located in the Museum Store at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 12-5 p.m. 502 S. Spring St., Springfield. 217-782-0979.
James S. Murray Gallery – Located at Lincoln Land Community College, this gallery displays works of faculty, students and national artists. Hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 217-786-2219. www.llcc.edu/art/JamesSMurrayGallery.
The Pharmacy – This artist-run co-op has achieved success across a variety of formats. Member visual artists display their paintings and sculptures at periodic juried gallery shows, but The Pharmacy also presents poetry readings, film festivals, musical performances and other showcases for local talent. The calendar is ever-changing, but there is always something of interest going on. Visit www. thepharmacygallery.com to see what’s happening there now. The Pharmacy Studio, 401 South Grand Avenue West. The Pharmacy Gallery, 1022 S. Pasfield, 217-652-3273.
Springfield Art Association Gallery of Art – SAA’s gallery hosts monthly exhibitions featuring works in all media by artists who are recognized nationally, regionally and locally. Exhibitions range from the traditional to the contemporary, are juried or curated, and draw from a broad range of themes and topics. The gallery is free and open to the public Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. 700 N. Fourth Street. 217-523-2631. www.springfieldart.org.
Studio on 6th – Studio on 6th is an ever-changing co-op in downtown Springfield, hosting the works of more than 50 local artists. 215 S. Sixth St. Monday- Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 217-522-8006.
The Spice of Life – Sisters Stacy Hastings and Leslie Smith opened this gallery to display and sell their own creations of customized jewelry and stained glass, but also to feature the work of other artists from central Illinois and around the world. Included are crafts of Ten Thousand Villages, the free trade network which supports artisans from around the globe. Find pottery, whimsical dolls, handbags, lamps, birdhouses and quilt hangings. 216 S. Sixth St. Hours: 11-5 Mon.-Sat., 217-528-2234.
Urban Sassafras – Wall décor, photography, paintings, jewelry and more. Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 200 Broadway in historic downtown Springfield. 217-670-2391.
UIS Visual Arts Gallery – The gallery holds regular exhibits by visiting artists, faculty artists and art students. Gallery events are free and open to public. University of Illinois Springfield, 217-206-6506. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Winchesters Galleries – Winchesters features fine art and creative framing, 1800 S. MacArthur Boulevard, 217-523-9211. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
