The best arts & culture spots in Salem

“Mist Photography makes even the most camera-awkward among us feel at ease with a natural, guided approach that actually looks like you. Rachael focuses on couples, families, and weddings, delivering timeless, artful images that bottle up the feeling of this season of life, not just the poses.”

“Shrode Art Center at Cedarhurst is where Southern Illinois folks go to see fresh exhibits, then roll up their sleeves for adult and youth classes, summer camp, or a private lesson. Join Clay Club or the Basketeers, sip Art, Coffee & Conversation, and leave with paint on your sleeves in the best way.”

“Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is a close-by creative escape with sculpture trails, rotating gallery shows, and classes for both grownups and kids. Come for a family art pop-up or the music series, then linger in the Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park and remember why getting outside your routine is pretty great.”

“Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park at Cedarhurst is one of the Midwest’s premier spots for large-scale outdoor sculpture, with 73 pieces set across 80 acres from artists like Chakaia Booker and John Kearney. It’s a head-clearing stroll with conversation starters at every turn.”

“Whether you want a quiet wander through rotating exhibits, a stroll among big outdoor sculptures, or a low-key concert to cap the week, Mitchell Museum at Cedarhurst nails it. Plus classes, family pop-ups, and a legit community vibe that makes quick visits turn into lingering afternoons.”

“Centralia Area Historical Museum packs three floors of artifacts, photographs, and stories that trace how the railroad and local characters shaped our area.”

From the Centralia newsletter, September 29, 2026