[MAQUOKETA, IA] Maquoketa Art Experience has created a Study in Portraits month scheduled for June 6-19 that offers something for everyone. June programming includes a mezzo-relief sculpture workshop with renowned wood sculptor Fred Cogelow, a public painting demonstration by internationally acclaimed painter Rose Frantzen, and a portrait writing workshop by Free River Press Executive Director, Robert Wolf.

Fred Cogelow: Mezzo Relief Sculpture Workshop

In conjunction with the International Woodcarvers Congress in Maquoketa, Iowa, award-winning wood sculptor Fred Cogelow will teach a five-day workshop at Maquoketa Art Experience, June 6-10, exploring the creation of ¾ Profile Portraiture in Mezzo-Relief. Fred Cogelow is considered by many to be the greatest wood sculptor working in the United States. A self-taught reductive carver, Cogelow has been winning awards and honors throughout the Midwest and across the country since 1983. His work is included in private collections in Norway, Sweden, South Africa, and across the United States. This workshop is designed for an advanced carver/sculptor. Students interested in this workshop should possess a skill level of moderate to advanced, or at least an appreciation of anatomy, detail, and engineering. As a part of Cogelow's visit to Iowa, a 6-foot sculpture of Zona, a life-sized woman sculpture piece will be on display at the Dubuque Museum of Art, June 6-11. Cogelow will enter Zona into the sculpture competition at 2011 International Woodcarvers Congress June 13-19 in Maquoketa. The June workshop is the last one that Fred Cogleow will be teaching until 2014. Registration information is available at www.maquoketa-art.org or call 563.652.9925.

Rose Frantzen: Portrait Painting Demonstration

Internationally acclaimed Iowa artist Rose Frantzen will offer a portrait painting demonstration on Saturday, June 11 at Maquoketa Art Experience. All ticket holders will enter into a drawing to serve as the model for the portrait and will take the finished portrait home with them at the end of the day. Doors will open at 10 a.m. with the drawing for the model at 11 a.m. You must be present to win. No one under 16 years old is eligible to participate in the drawing, but those under 16 are invited to purchase a ticket to observe the demonstration at a separate ticket price.

Frantzen is the creator of the Portrait of Maquoketa collection, a 180 piece community portrait series painted using volunteer models from her home town. Portrait of Maquoketa was on exhibit at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2009-2010.

The painting demonstration will consist of painting a live model while Frantzen discusses her painting process, and her experience judging demonstrations at national events. The proceeds from this event serve as a fundraiser for Maquoketa Art Experience, a non profit arts organization whose mission is to build community through arts outreach. For ticket information visit www.maquoketa-art.org or call 563.652.9925.

Robert Wolf: Portrait Writing Workshop

Free River Press executive director Robert Wolf has designed a three-day portrait writing workshop, scheduled for June 17-19 at Maquoketa Art Experience. This workshop is created for people of all ages, and while the practiced writer will find it useful, the workshop was designed with the amateur in mind.

Wolf is the author of Heartland Portrait, a collection of stories created from portrait writing that explores sense of place and captures the voice of America's heartland through storytelling.
The aim of this portrait writing workshop is for each participant to complete at least one portrait of a person or place at the end of three days. The basis for the work is in storytelling, with the storyteller's emphasis on imagery (visualization) and dialogue. For those participants who want to expand beyond their comfort zone, Wolf encourages experimentation. This may include the use of fragments or employing techniques used by contemporary poets. Registration information is available at www.maquoketa-art.org or call 563.652.9925.

For further information about Maquoketa Art Experience's Study in Portraits month or to participate in the workshops or purchase tickets for the portrait demonstration, contact Paula Neuhaus at maquoketaartexperience@hotmail.com or call 563.652.9925.

Maquoketa Art Experience programming is made possible in part by a grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.

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DES MOINES, IA (05/24/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald responded today to Governor Branstad's claims of being the "new sheriff in town." "This isn't the Wild West, we aren't looking for Wyatt Earp to come in and have a shoot out," Fitzgerald said. "We are looking for a leader that can compromise and do what is in the best interest of all Iowans."

"The state of Iowa is in a strong financial position," Fitzgerald stated. "Governor Branstad is trying to convince Iowans there is a fiscal mess to clean up. I've been sending the same message for over a year - Iowa is fiscally sound." Fitzgerald pointed to a balanced budget, a projected $400 million dollar surplus, $600 million in the reserves, and a AAA credit rating as indicators to counter Branstad's claims.

"Mohandas Gandhi once said, "I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people" Fitzgerald quoted. "I urge the Governor to take off the sheriff's badge, roll up his sleeves and work on a compromise for all Iowans."

Your voice is needed again?this time in the U.S. Senate.  Please write to your Senators and ask them to support research funding for prostate cancer at the Prostate Cancer Research Program.

The PCRP is critical to advancing prostate cancer research from the lab to the bedside. Funding provided by the program has accelerated the availability of drugs like XGEVA and ZYTIGA, but unless you stand up to support research funding, we could lose this valuable tool to combat prostate cancer.

Please write your U.S. Senators today.  Urge them to sign Senator Johnson's letter to the Appropriations Committee to provide funding for the Prostate Cancer Research Program. The deadline to sign the letter is June 3 - so don't wait.  WRITE your Senators TODAY.

CLICK HERE to write your Senator today!

Thank you for your support.

Register for a chance to win a $529 College Savings Iowa Account

DES MOINES, IA (05/24/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate 529 Day by registering to win a $529 College Savings Iowa account for a child in their life. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones' future higher education expenses," Fitzgerald said. "By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them." For more information and to register for the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com before May 31.

May 29, 529 Day, helps bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for the children in their lives. Those who begin putting away money early and save little by little can, over time, make their college savings add up to a significant amount. Because saving for future educational expenses is so important, Iowa families are encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their life.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary from their 2011 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* Investors can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.