Special Features for Art on the Prairie 2016
Each of the buildings below will have Special Features.
La Poste
Radim Schreiber
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I became inspired by the beauty of glowing fireflies, when I came to the United States of America. I had never seen this amazing, magical dance of lights, growing up in Czech Republic. As a macro photographer, I started to daydream about capturing the images of glowing fireflies. I wanted to freeze this special moment, when they are glowing. How will they look up close?
For the past five summers, I have spent countless evenings and night hours photographing fireflies. I crawled in ditches and swamps, getting attacked by mosquitoes and chiggers - all to get the best photos. Once the mosquitoes went to sleep, I was able to start enjoying the real magic, fireflies below and stars above. When I photograph fireflies I feel connected to nature and the whole universe. Fireflies are illuminated beings guiding on my life journey. It is important to me that I portray fireflies in their natural beauty and environment. I use most advanced low-light photography equipment because I have chosen not to use a flash or artificial lighting. My approach allows the glow of a firefly to show in its true luminosity. I do not manipulate the images in Photoshop, I instead preserve the moment in time (exactly as I saw it). A few interesting facts about fireflies: Flashing of a firefly is a mating ritual. Bio-luminescent light of fireflies doesn't produce heat. Its 'cold light' is more efficient than any man made light source. Population of fireflies has been declining around the world, mostly due to light pollution and chemicals used in agriculture. Notable Awards: 2016 - 1st place, Smithsonian Magazine 13th Annual Photo Contest. 2012 - National Geographic Photo Contest“ Editor's favorite 2011 - National Wildlife Photo Contest“ 1st place 2011 - Smithsonian Photo Contest“ 1st place, nature category 2011 - International Garden Photographer of the Year Photography Contest - 2nd place 2010 - Galapagos Conservancy Photo Contest Winner 2009 - The Rainforest Alliance Photo Contest Grand Prize 2008 - The Rainforest Alliance Photo Contest Grand Prize |
Also at La Poste
- View art in the upstairs gallery while enjoying a glass of wine or a hot beverage from Perry Perk.
- Come downstairs to the Cellar for more art, live music, and spirits.
- Enjoy the magic of “The Firefly Experience” by featured artist Radim Schreiber in the Wine Room of the Cellar.
- Experience La Poste’s Bloody Mary Bar in the Cellar.
Festival Food Court behind La Poste
Wander outside to the Festival Food Court behind La Poste to find offerings from local food trucks and eateries. Bring your lunch into the Cellar to enjoy live music.
El Mago
We are happy to have El Mago again this year. Love their tacos and tortas. El Mago is the Spanish word for Magician - also related to the word for wise man, as in the three Magi who visit at Christmastime - and the tacos and enchiladas served by Ignacio and Jose Calderon do taste magical. The restaurant's menu includes tacos, tortas, fajitas, and beverages.
You can also visit El Mago at Caboose Park - 1st & Willis
You can also visit El Mago at Caboose Park - 1st & Willis
Cupcake Addict
At Cupcake Addict our passion is provding high quality, made to order cupcakes! We prepare fresh, made from scratch cupcakes. Established in April 2011, the name "Cupcake Addict" was chosen, as that is exactly what I am: addicted to cupcakes! We cater to all events, large or small, and will communicate with you in all aspects to get the right flavor and design for your event.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-333-1906 or 515-278-5207
Address: 8705 Chambery Blvd. #400, Johnston, IA 50131
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 515-333-1906 or 515-278-5207
Address: 8705 Chambery Blvd. #400, Johnston, IA 50131
Deardorff Highland Cattle - Clint Deardorff
Deardorff Highland Cattle is a family owned and operated business that produces naturally raised purebred Scottish Highland Cattle. Our Scottish Highland Cattle are Grass Fed and Finished as well as being Hormone, Antibiotic, and GMO free from birth. We take great pride in providing a delicious and clean product to our customers.
1/3 lb Burgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, homemade chili, BBQ pulled pork, & bacon mac & cheese.
Catering
Private Events
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 406-600-4263
Address: 808 North St. Yale, IA
1/3 lb Burgers, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, homemade chili, BBQ pulled pork, & bacon mac & cheese.
Catering
Private Events
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 406-600-4263
Address: 808 North St. Yale, IA
Perry Public Library
The Library will again participate in the Art on the Prairie Festival exhibiting Perry Student Art, hosting local artists, presenting a special program featuring Reid Miller both days, and giving you the opportunity to create a heart painting that will be part of a library community art project.
The Reid Miller Show
Saturday, November 12th from 1 pm until 3 pm Sunday, November 13th from 1 pm until 3 pm
After a 25 year career at The Des Moines Register as the last front page cartoonist in the nation, Duffy has entered into the land of the freelancer. His cartoons are nationally syndicated by King Features Syndicate and appear in over 400 newspapers. Duffy has been the cartoonist of record for the Iowa Caucuses since 1984. He also draws for Cityview, produces monthly cartoons for Iowa Momentum Magazine and The Hightower Lowdown, and produces animated cartoons for KCCI. Duffy has received two World Hunger Media Awards, two Best of Gannett awards, the Clarion Award, and was a finalist for the prestigious John Fischetti Award. He has produced two collections of his work: A Decade of Duffy, and More of Duffy. His gallery of watercolor paintings, entitled Ghost Roads, is made up of images captured while riding his mountain bike down Iowa's gravel roads and depicts the swiftly vanishing culture of an Iowa that is being lost to time. https://reidmillershow/
Create a Heart Wall
Create a Heart Wall in the Perry Public Library. All ages may paint a heart on a 4” x 4” canvas to form a collaborative community mural that will hang in the public library. Youth activities and art exhibits, as well as the work of area artisans, will be found at the Perry Public Library.
Perry Student Art
Perry Student Art will feature student art from the elementary school, the middle school, and the high school. The talent of our students is phenomenal. Last year the library purchased a piece of student art for the library - a book sculpture which is on display in the library’s Young Adult section. The Library will purchase another piece of student art this year and display it in the library.
Local Artists hosted at the Library
- Sue and Tracy Espinoza – Jewelry – This mother and daughter team have a passion for all things vintage. They love to travel and find the perfect pieces to create fun jewelry. Working with old skeleton keys and watch faces inspires us to make unique affordable earrings and necklaces.
- Marlin Einck – Story Bowls – “Once upon a seedling begins. It becomes a tree that gives oxygen without demand, awesome beauty without seasons. When the tree dies, its life is displayed inside the bark in picture form. My passion is to find these stories and put them into art (while talking with the tree)!”
- Janice Johnston – Textiles – Janice repurposes textiles into functional art creations – including those great mittens for adults and children made from wool sweaters. This year, her new mitten creations are lined with cashmere. She also makes dog chewy toys from repurposed textiles.
- Paul Kestel – Photography – Paul has owned and operated Catchlight Imaging a portrait studio in Waterloo, IA for the last 13 years. Paul has an adventurous spirit that draws him to the outdoors. His passion is documenting God’s creative artistry with his camera. Paul has a unique ability to blend his passion for outdoor landscape photography into creating high quality Senior and Family Portraiture as well. Paul hopes that his work will inspire others to get outside and enjoy nature.
- Traci Leff and Jackie DeMeyer - Traci hand weaves material for hand towels and napkins while Jackie makes her own brand of lotions, soaps, lip balm, and bath bombs.
Peterson Designs
Children's Activity / Art Scavenger Hunt
As part of our community efforts to encourage art and culture in Perry, we will direct the attention of children and families to our Art Scavenger Hunt during the 2016 Art on the Prairie.
Look with an investigavie eye to hunt for art related images and objects, as well as the art of Gary Ernest Smith hanging in the Hotel Pattee, TownCraft & Security Bank.
Look with an investigavie eye to hunt for art related images and objects, as well as the art of Gary Ernest Smith hanging in the Hotel Pattee, TownCraft & Security Bank.
- Stop by Peterson Design 1121 2nd St. to pick up your Art Scavenger Hunt Registration
- Make your way through the 8 historic buildings and complete the Art Scavenger Hunt.
- Take the Art Scavenger Hunt registration back to Peterson Designs to have it reviewed for an art Prize!
Leslie Leavenworth
Leslie will be demonstrating her talents in the window of Peterson Designs. Although a nurse by profession, Leslie has studied painting since age six. She is experimental in her painting, trying a variety of mediums and subjects. Her artwork is an eclectic mix of landscapes, portraits, and abstracts.
Eric Peterson
Pottery demonstrations will be part of the activities at Peterson Designs. Eric, a long time potter, will show how clay is turned into a useful vessel you may use in your own kitchen. His finished pottery will be on display and highlighted with locally mixed glazes.
Citizens Bank Gallery
Gwen Foster and Judy Thompson
Find the Gallery filled with paintings by guest artists Gwen Foster, president of the Iowa Watercolor Society, and Judy Thompson, cover illustrator of The Pioneer Girl, An Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
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Gwen Foster has pursued the magic of watercolor for over 30 years. Watercolor is an on-going journey. The adventure is being involved with others on the same path. Gwen is passionate about sharing watercolor tips and tricks and helping others to appreciate the joy of creating in this special medium. Gwen is personally attracted by rural and rustic or personal images that evoke nostalgic memories and emotions. According to Gwen, "Immerse yourself in color, trust the process, and discover the joy of creativity!"
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Judy Thompson’s artwork has received national and regional awards, including first place honors in the annual juried Iowa Watercolor Society Exhibition. She is also a grant recipient of the Iowa Arts Council through the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2010, Judy was selected by the National Park Service as artist-in-residence at the Homestead National Monument, Beatrice, NE and again in 2013 through 2014 at Badlands National Park, Interior, SD. Her “Homestead Series”, inspired by her first residency, continues to tour throughout the Midwest to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Homestead Act. Commissioned by the South Dakota Historical Society Press, Judy created the cover art for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiography, “Pioneer Girl” for which she has received worldwide acclaim. |
Jennifer Drinkwater and the Students of Perry
This photography installation is a collaboration between the fifth grade of Perry Elementary School and the middle school of St. Patrick's Catholic School. Each student was given a disposable camera and was asked to photograph what they loved about their community. These photos wonderfully illustrate the cultural richness of Perry as seen by its youth. This project was sponsored by Iowa State Extension and Outreach.
Jennifer Drinkwater
Extension Community Art Specialist and Assistant Professor
Department of Art and Visual Culture
College of Design Iowa State University
Jennifer Drinkwater
Extension Community Art Specialist and Assistant Professor
Department of Art and Visual Culture
College of Design Iowa State University
Security Bank Building
Fiber and Textile Demonstrations
An introduction to the growing fiber and textile arts in our Perry Arts District
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Diane Corson: I have been knitting since I was 10, when my grandmother put yarn and needles in my hands and taught me the basics. I've been in love with fibers, textiles and garment design ever since. Today I work mostly in natural fibers: wool, mohair, alpaca and silk are favorites and specialize in small wearables such as bags, hats, scarves, mittens and socks. I often incorporate handspun and hand-dyed yarns into my work, and frequently use dyestuffs from my garden to produce subtle, muted colors that simply can't be duplicated commercially. Felting, a challenging technique that has been called "controlled disaster" is another method I enjoy using to create hats, bags and other accessories that are sturdy, warm and have unique character all their own. All of my work is made entirely by hand, and no two pieces are ever alike. |
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John Gibney: The brainchild of Maggie Howe, Girl With A Sword Productions started about twelve years ago selling printed tee shirts with a martial arts theme. (And yes, she does have a sword!) Now, she makes handspun yarns and hand dyed fabrics and yarns. Most of the raw material used (wool, alpaca, llama, mohair, angora, etc) is sourced within the Central Iowa region. Using a wide range of materials, weights, and styles, the yarns are unique, and ideal for special projects by knitters, crocheters, and weavers alike. |
Town Craft Building, Lower Level East
Hometown Heritage
Fullhart Carnegie Charitable Trust, dba Hometown Heritage, is an art and archival collection and historical research organization in Perry, Iowa. Its mission is to build community capacity and development through the study, communication, and celebration of small town life through social history and the arts.
The stories of small town life are proudly displayed on the walls of the office in the lower level of the Town Craft building in picture form. Many of the pictures are centered on immigrants, showing the various peoples that have moved to Perry throughout the ages. Others are favorites of the staff, showing what life may be like in a small town.
Outside of their office, Hometown Heritage promotes art in Perry, such as the Reconfiguration Arches and the Wall of Witnesses in Soumas Court. They also oversee the Carnegie Library Museum, allowing visitors to tour a respectful restoration of the original public library in Perry. Hometown Heritage also sponsors many events, such as the on-going Gary Ernest Smith Exhibition. With all of these activities, Hometown Heritage hopes to make lasting connections in the community and advance the cultural objectives.
The stories of small town life are proudly displayed on the walls of the office in the lower level of the Town Craft building in picture form. Many of the pictures are centered on immigrants, showing the various peoples that have moved to Perry throughout the ages. Others are favorites of the staff, showing what life may be like in a small town.
Outside of their office, Hometown Heritage promotes art in Perry, such as the Reconfiguration Arches and the Wall of Witnesses in Soumas Court. They also oversee the Carnegie Library Museum, allowing visitors to tour a respectful restoration of the original public library in Perry. Hometown Heritage also sponsors many events, such as the on-going Gary Ernest Smith Exhibition. With all of these activities, Hometown Heritage hopes to make lasting connections in the community and advance the cultural objectives.
Rick Stewart
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It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Because a picture has only one vantage point that would be no exaggeration. Imagine then what it must be for a sculpture with its myriad of vantage points. Each new viewing angle as you move gives you something different to see, something you can touch and feel as well as see. It’s a Herculean task to describe and appreciate sculpture in words, so I say skip the words and pictures and go touch, feel, see. Sculpture, by its nature, is tactile. It’s meant to be touched; that’s how it was created. I want my sculptures to be touched, and felt. How else can you know what I felt in creating them? That being said you should not touch sculpture in museums unless arrangements have been made for that. Not all artists take the view that I do, that sculpture should be experienced by touch as well as sight. So be respectful and ask, and you may be in for a wonderful experience, worth so much more than a thousand plus words.
Rick Stewart is a figurative sculptor with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Drake University. For the last 10 years, Stewart has created original artwork and performed historic restorations from his home studio. Before working exclusively in his own studio, Stewart worked as a master sculptor and mold maker for 10 years at Dahlquist Clayworks (later RDG) in Des Moines, Iowa. Prior to that as a museum artist for Neal Deaton, making exhibits for museums. These include exhibits at the Smithsonian, Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, St, Louis Arch and Mt. Rainier among others. His pieces include a life-size bronze sculpture of Iowa Olympian Shawn Johnson, Clyde Duncan of Des Moines North fame, U of I Basketball great the late Chris Street, and Iowa Athletic Director Bernie Saggau, and others on display at the Iowa Hall of Pride. The gold-leafed lions guarding Louis Sullivan’s Jewel Box Bank are bronze replicas created by Rick after vandalism destroyed one original terracotta lion and damaged the other badly. He was able to restore one terracotta lion currently on display inside the Grinnell Bank standing along side the vandalized encased second lion. Rick carved new sections from Indiana limestone for the restoration of a Civil War monument in Eddyville, IA. New hand, telescope, bayonet and scabbard were sculpted from sheet copper as part of the restoration of two Civil War soldiers for the monument in Elkadar, IA. Rick has Bas-relief sculpture at several locations in Iowa, including The Iowa School for the Deaf, Iowa DOT rest areas, Des Moines, Perry, Cedar Rapids, Eddyville, Elkader, Remsen, and Newton. Somas Court in Perry, Iowa, has the largest number of his Bas-relief sculptures. His art is both historical and storied in nature with an affinity for naturalism. Stewart was born and raised in Newton, Iowa. He and his wife, Theresa, met in high school and have been married for 39 years. The couple has two children and four grandchildren. |
Town Craft Building, West - Main Gallery
Lori Murga
I am a glass artist who specializes in lamp work and fused glass. I love sharing my art with others and will demonstrate whenever possible. I've been published in Better Homes & Gardens 3 times and enjoy sharing my passion with visitors at the Iowa State Fair. Teaching others to melt glass makes my heart smile.
Theresa Bockenstedt
I have been a serious potter for about 4 years. Most of my work is wheel thrown, but I do have some hand built pieces, too. I love to add texture to my work using hand made clay stamps on cone 6 white stoneware. My inspiration for my textures comes from growing up in a home of a quilter and wanting to make the prints on the fabric come to life.
Hotel Pattee
Poetry Readings in the Poet's Corner
The Poetry readings will take place in the lower level of the Hotel Pattee Nicolette Room.
Each year veteran and emerging regional poets are invited by Art on the Prairie to showcase their work in Poet’s Corner. This year we have artists from throughout Iowa. Their topics are as varied as the landscape, love, and outlaws. Join us for two, two-hour sessions of readings on November 12 and 13, noon until two p.m. Many of the artists will also have books for sale!
Perry Holiday Open House
The community of Perry is also having its annual Holiday Open House at downtown retailers the same weekend with treats and drawings. Free Face Painting by Vicky Garrett will be offered at Ben's Five and Dime both Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm until 2:30 pm. Please check the Art on the Prairie Program the day of the festival for more Holiday Open House information.