Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds honors Iowa female Artists

The Iowa Women's Art Exhibition's inaugural three artists will be recognized on June 25^th by the Lieutenant Governor of Iowa.

(DES MOINES) - Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will honor three Iowa female artists in her formal office on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at 9 a.m. in conjunction with Art Week Des Moines.  The three artists are a part of the Iowa Women's Art Exhibition.  The public is invited to view the works of art anytime at the Iowa Capitol building, but a special invitation is extended for those who wish to view the art when the artists are present with Reynolds.  This event is open to the press.

The project was started to highlight Iowa's female artists.  Art is essential to the quality of life in Iowa and female artists contribute to the entrepreneurial community of women in Iowa.  Increasingly, Reynolds hears from businesses and industry that not only are they interested in Iowa's friendly business climate when considering where to reinvest and grow, they're also interested in a high quality of life - including vibrant arts and culture - for their employees.

"I am continually impressed with the dynamic and innovative female leadership that I meet throughout the state and I am eager to continue highlighting their impressive achievements and skillsets," said Reynolds.  "Displaying this art in my formal office has provided me the rare opportunity to recognize female artists from Iowa and the important role they play as entrepreneurs in our state."

The artwork that was featured from the last three months comes from artists that all have a connection to Iowa.  The following artists' work is currently being displayed in the Lt. Governor's Formal Office:

Kathranne Knight (http://www.kathranneknight.com) is an Iowa based artist who makes delicate, complex, textile-like landscape drawings.  She received an MFA from Yale University in 1997 and her work has been shown nationally in galleries and museums.  Knight is published in New American Paintings #56, Northeast Edition and is the recipient of an Iowa Artist Fellowship grant, awarded by the Iowa Arts Council.  A photo of Knight's, Tinsel in August, created in 2010 can be seen here.  The work will be on display until the beginning of July.

Mary Laube (www.marylaube.com) was born in South Korea and grew up in the Midwest.  She received an MFA from the University of Iowa and a BFA from Illinois State University. Her work has been published in New American Paintings #87 and #101.  She received the Illinois National Women in the Arts Award in 2009 and a Project grant from the Iowa Arts Council.  Laube's Acrylic and Oil on Panel work, Onward and Upward, can be seen here.  It will also be on display until July.

Sarah Grant (www.sticks.com) grew up in Ames, Iowa.  She received an MFA in painting from the University of Iowa and is the founder and owner of Sticks, an object art and furniture business located in Des Moines, Iowa.  Her honors and commissions include being named a Louis Comfort Tiffany Grant nominee finalist; a Kirkwood Hotel Mural Commission; and the Jerome Foundation Invitational Grant.  A photo of Grant's, Fields meet Sky, an acrylic and collage on paper work created in 2013, can be seen here.

In July 2015, three new female artists will be featured in the Lieutenant Governor's formal office.  The public is welcome to visit.