In Whittington, Illinois, the Southern Illinois Art & Artisan Center holds a vast array of treasures from pottery, crystal and wood furniture to fiber arts and photography. Every inch of wall is adorned with artwork that catches the eye of visitors, whether they are looking for decorative items or something more functional.

The idea for the center originated with former Illinois governor James R. Thompson’s dream to provide Illinois residents with a rich appreciation for the arts. Thompson viewed artists as small businesses and wanted to develop a way for them to expand and gain more publicity and notoriety. He wanted an art gallery that showcased artwork from Illinois residents to make their work more available to the public.

The Illinois Artisans Program was created with the help of members from the Illinois State Museum. The first artisan center was established in 1985 in Chicago, where Ellen Gantmer, art supporter and Chicago native, took the role as the first manager. The artisan center in Whittington was built in 1990. Today, there are four locations, including Springfield and Dickson Mounds. The program will celebrate its 25th year in 2010.

Seasoned shopper Carmelita Brubaker grew up in Benton, Illinois, about fifteen minutes south of Whittington. Now living in the St. Louis area, Brubaker makes it a point to come to the art center at least a couple times a year. Brubaker said she will always come back to the art center and would recommend it to anybody.

“If they had a prize for No. 1 customer, I’d be it,” Brubaker said.

Brubaker said her frequent trips provide her the opportunity to see a multitude of different art pieces because the displays are always changing.

“I was just here two months ago, and the displays are already different,” Brubaker said.

Brubaker always had a fascination with art, primarily studying sketching, and her late husband specialized in oil paintings. Her husband created many pieces of artwork, but a piece that got a lot of attention was titled “Scout’s Out.” Before the painting was designed, Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed that he wanted some kind of monument in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Brubaker’s husband’s painting was so well liked by the government they asked if it could be used as a design for a national monument at Fort Leavenworth.

“Scouts Out” is a painting of a buffalo soldier riding on a horse with the calvary off in the distance. Below the horse is a Native American tracking the beats of the hooves of the coming horses. A sculptor constructed the actual 14 1/2 foot-tall bronze design of the painting that stands at Fort Leavenworth today.

“I’ve had so many people wanting to buy that painting, but I’m going to keep it for my children, so it can be a legacy from their father,” Brubaker said. “I think this is why I’m drawn to all of this. I was just around it all the time.”

Employee Carilyn Spencer spends most of her time setting up the artwork in the showcase rooms. Spencer’s enthusiasm for art started at a young age, focusing on wood carving in college. After having several pieces of her artwork were showcased at the Southern Illinois Art & Artisan Center in Whittington, she began to work there. Spencer said as the talent continues to grow, the competition has increasingly gotten more difficult.

The art center represents 750 artists, ranging in age from 11 to 92. Artists get to choose the price for their pieces displayed in the galleries. Spencer said prices range from $5 to $20,000 depending on the type of piece. Joseph Valadez from Cicero, Illinois, has been an Illinois Artisan member since 2008 and specializes in handmade wood carvings. Most of his artwork takes him only three weeks to make and costs about $40, whereas internationally known artist Annaliese Heijnen’s pieces cost significantly more. A member of the Illinois Artisan Center since 1995, Heijnen is famous for her ceramic artwork. Her most widely known pieces of art are ceramic roosters, which cost about $800.

Spencer said sometimes customers come in with a specific piece they are looking to buy. Every April when Paducah, Illinois, holds its national Quilt Festival, visitors pass through the Southern Illinois Art & Artisan Center to see or buy the quilts that are on display. Quilts at the art center may cost as much as $1,800.

Romaula Coleman, manager of the Southern Illinois Art & Artisan Center, said she went to the art center 17 years ago to find out how artists were juried in and left that day with a part-time job.

“I have always leaned to fiber arts because that’s what I do, but I’ve learned to broaden my vision of what I like in art after working here a number of years,” Coleman said. “The artists never cease to amaze me.”

Coleman said that throughout the year, the art center offers art demonstrations, workshops, book signings and classes for visitors. Individuals have the opportunity to try their hand at an assortment of different art mediums, including china painting, dye painting, rug hooking, knitting and silk fusion.

The art center also hosts workshops for children. Every Wednesday children’s workshops are dedicated to using only recyclable materials. Children can participate in hands-on projects, such as colored pencil drawing, pottery, print making and basic sewing.

Special events are not just dedicated toward hands-on activities. The artisan shop captivates all five senses every year at their annual wine festival held in September. The wine festival is a favorite, bringing in 3,000 to 5,000 visitors every year. During the festival, Illinois artisans demonstrate their craft and their work is available for purchase. Visitors have the opportunity to sample wine, enjoy delicious foods from various restaurants and listen to several different bands.

Coleman said the art center’s Southern hospitality and wonderful staff is what keeps visitors coming back time after time.