Davenport, IA- The German American Heritage Center has opened its new exhibit "Beetle to
Benz!" There is fun for the whole family in this exhibit highlighting the history of two iconic
German cars! See vintage Volkswagen ads or get your photo behind a classic Mercedes Benz
cutout. The exhibit runs through June 3rd with lots of related programs and activities along the
way! Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children. GAHC is located at 712 W.
2nd St. Davenport, Iowa. Call 563-322-8844, visit www.gahc.org, or email kelly.lao@gahc.org
for details.

Now open - our newest temporary exhibit: "From Beetle to Benz" featuring the history and trivia of two iconic German cars, the Mercedes-Benz and the Volkswagen.  Lots of fun facts and plenty to enjoy for all ages!   Drop in soon to the First Floor Gallery and bring a friend!

Winner will receive two round-trip air tickets to see their artwork displayed in US Capitol

 

Washington, DC - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today invited high school students from across Iowa's First Congressional District to submit original artwork for the annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery."

 

The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the US House of Representatives.  One winning piece of artwork from each House district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the US Capitol Building in Washington for the next year.

 

"I encourage Iowa high school students to participate in this year's art competition," Braley said.  "There are many gifted young artists in eastern Iowa, and this is a great opportunity for their work to be displayed for thousands of people to see.  It's a great honor to feature the work of an outstanding young artist in the US Capitol."

 

Any high school student from the First Congressional District of Iowa is eligible to submit their artwork for consideration.  To enter, students must submit a digital image of their artwork via Braley's website.  The submissions will be compiled into an internet gallery for public voting.

 

The submission deadline is April 23rd, 2012.  There is a limit of one submission per student.  Voting will close on May 1st, 2012, and the winner will be announced.  He or she will receive two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, DC, to see their artwork displayed and attend a winners' reception.

 

For full details on the 2012 Art Competition, including information on how to enter, please visit Braley's website at http://braley.house.gov/art-competition.

 

List of Past Iowa First District Art Competition Winners:

 

2007    Jonathan Welser, Davenport

2008    Stephanie Tarnish, Davenport

2009    Mitch Doll, Davenport

2010    Emily Schroeder, Cedar Falls

2011    Krista Stork, Dubuque

 

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Dear GAHC Members and Friends,

Please take a moment to check out this link to the German Consulate in Chicago, which was a sponsor for our recent White Rose Exhibit.  They have featured our activities and events on their website - you can be very proud of your GAHC association!

We extend our thanks to Gunnar Christianesen, Vice Consul for Press and Culture at the Consulate  for his help and support.  DANKE!



Janet Brown-Lowe, Administrator
German American Heritage Center

Bettendorf – With a week off from school, area parents and kids are looking for fun and exciting activities during spring break. From March 11 - March 17 the Family Museum is offering seven days of just that: programs ranging from live music, live animals, science, and performance art. Events and performances are included with paid admission or Family Museum membership.

 

SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Jim Gill

Performance at 2:00 PM

Jim Gill, an award-winning musician and author, offers more than a show - each concert is an opportunity for family play! In concert, Jim strums energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, sings, dances and even sneezes along to silly and inspiring musical games!

 

MONDAY, MARCH 12

Comedy Sportz

Performance at 10:00 AM

Get ready for some laughs! The Comedy Sportz team from right here in the Quad Cities will take the stage at the Family Museum! The act-letes' hilarious audience-involved improvisation skits will have kids giggling!

Instrument Petting Zoo

Stop by anytime 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and pet some instruments! Our friends from West Music are bringing along a sampling of instruments kids can try for themselves. It's a great way to pique a musical interest in young children.

 


TUESDAY, MARCH 13

Chasing4Life

Presentation at 10:00 AM

Are you and your family prepared in case a disaster strikes?  What do you do if a tornado is headed your way? How do your prepare your children without scaring them?  Experts in storm chasing get to the facts to educate you about disaster preparedness.

Niabi Zoo

Presentation at 2:00 PM

Meet some friendly critters from the Niabi Zoo!  A Zookeeper will bring a variety of animals for you to see, and they will share with us the zoo's role in animal conservation.

 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 and THURSDAY, MARCH 15

Insect Zoo

Thursday: Zoo is open from noon - 2:00 PM with a presentation at 1:00 PM

Friday: Zoo is open from 10:00 AM - noon with a presentation at 11:00 AM

Do you love bugs? Come see, touch, and learn about all kinds of awesome insects with the Iowa State University Department of Entomology Insect Zoo! You'll meet insects found in Iowa and throughout the world.

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 16

Bubble Wonders: Anything Is Possible!

Performance at 10:00 AM

You won't want to miss this fun, inspiring, sticky, and educational show! Bubble Wonders is full of amazing tricks like the Bubble Caterpillar, the Bubble Volcano, the Dancing Bubble, a Bubble Merry-Go-Round, and much more!

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 17

Grossology!

Performances at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM

Boogers, vomit, urine, sweat, pimples...nothing is off limits with Sylvia! Come prepared for a little bit of gross-out with a lot of education as to why this icky stuff is crucial to human health and well-being.

 

Sponsored by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

The Family Museum inspires children and families to play and learn together! The Family Museum Foundation is a nonprofit organization that needs and appreciates support for early learning. Donate online at https://www.familymuseum.org/about_support_makeadonation.php.
[DUBUQUE, IA., FEBRUARY 22, 2012] Art Gumbo, a quarterly soup dinner that supports local art projects with community-supported micro-funding, is now accepting applications from arts organizations or creative groups for the Spring funding cycle. Applications for  Art Gumbo mini grants are available now through Thursday, March 15. Applications are available at artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com

Submission guidelines include the separation of individual artists and organizations or groups during funding cycles. Individual artists are not eligible to apply during this cycle. The first seven eligible applications received by 11:59 p.m. on March 15 will qualify to compete for funding.

Art Gumbo is an independent community-based initiative that funds local arts projects using money collected at quarterly soup dinners. During each Art Gumbo funding cycle, artists or arts organizations are invited to submit a brief project proposal that demonstrates an impact on the Dubuque community. The public is invited to attend and vote for their favorite proposal. A $10 donation at the door entitles the attendee to a locally prepared soup dinner and the opportunity to review all submitted proposals and to vote for their favorite. The Art Gumbo fund's nightly proceeds will be awarded to the two proposals that receive the most votes. Art Gumbo sessions will be hosted at new locations each quarter featuring soup by a regional food source. The next Art Gumbo Soup Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 6-8 p.m. at St. Mark Community Center, 1201 Locust Street in Dubuque.

For more information visit artgumbodubuque.blogspot.com or contact Paula Neuhaus or Megan Starr at art.gumbo.dbq@gmail.com.
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The Figge Art Museum is opening its new Artica Gallery on Saturday, February 25th, at 2 pm. A formal program in the auditorium will honor all project participants, followed by a ribbon cutting. Light refreshments will be served. The installation was made possible with support from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.

 

Artica helps visitors discover where artists find inspiration, how artists use their imagination to be creative, and how artists express their ideas. Artica also encourages visitors to look, imagine, and create. Five images from the Figge's permanent collection, reproduced in vinyl, serve as the inspiration for the displays and hands-on activities. "Artica Guides" offer tips for parents and caregivers on what to talk about with children when viewing the five works of art.

 

Activities are designed for children, but many activities can be adapted to visitors of all ages. A brief description of each station is listed below:

 

Station 1:  Artists challenge us to see the world differently.

A linoleum print of a woman's face by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso is the inspiration for the drawing activities at this station. To learn about the relief printmaking process, watch the 7-minute video featuring St. Ambrose University Art professor Joseph Lappie demonstrating how a multi-colored linoleum print is made. The film was produced by Matt Carroll, a professor in the Communications Department at St. Ambrose University. Self-portraits drawn by students who attend elementary schools in Bettendorf, Davenport, Geneseo, Moline, and Pleasant Valley are sprinkled throughout the gallery.

 

Station 2: Artists express what we feel.

Why are penguins vacationing in the Caribbean? After viewing this humorous picture painted by Haitian artist Jasmin Joseph, make your own penguin finger puppet or draw a picture of your favorite animal playing a musical instrument. Colorful pictures depicting animals playing musical instruments drawn by students who attend elementary schools in Bettendorf, Davenport, Geneseo, Moline, and Pleasant Valley will serve as inspiration.

 

Station 3: Artists make the ordinary extraordinary.

How could an artist transform a simple chair into a throne? One Haitian painter did just that by embellishing it with painted designs and flowers. After viewing this colorful work, try making your own miniature chair using a variety of materials.

 

Station 4: Artists engage our imagination.

The colorful "gingerbread" houses that were constructed in Haiti around the turn of the 20th century are characterized by bright colors, tall ceilings, decorative latticework, and wrap-around porches. After viewing this imaginative painting, construct your own "gingerbread" house using the provided template. Colorful blocks and Legos are also available for aspiring young architects.

 

Station 5: Artists play with line, shape and color.

The Spanish artist Joan Miró created playful images using expressive lines, unique shapes, and bright colors. Experiment with color using the large wall board or the computer software programs.

 

The Artica Gallery also includes picture books that help teach children about the Artica concepts of inspiration, imagination, and expression.

 

Leanne Paetz of Pederson Paetz, Omaha, designed the Artica Gallery. The palette of cool colors including aqua, blue, and green was inspired by the colors in the painting of the penguins described above. The playful font and design elements create a lively, animated space that will appeal to children and those young at heart.

 

Admission to the reception is $10 per families. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. The Artica Gallery is open during regular museum hours and is free with admission or membership.

 

For information about museum programs, visit the Figge website at www.figgeart.org.

 

-end-


McCausland, IA / February 17, 2012 - Peaceful River Trading Co. will feature the work of DeWitt, Iowa native, Mark Soenksen on Thursday, February 23rd from 4pm to 7pm at Peaceful River Trading Co. in McCausland.  Mark's show this month will be the first in a series of gallery nights hosted throughout the year by this unique McCausland shop.

Mark Soenksen expressed, "I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to exhibit my work and I appreciate all the support Peaceful River Trading Co. has given me".   Soenksen has come a long way from his childhood days of doodling on the walls of the family farm.  As a youth, he honed his creative energy by drawing his heroes from Sci-Fi stories and comic books.  His passion for art intensified as he grew older, leading him to enroll in as many art classes as he could in high school.  Mark later attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1994 with majors in Drawing, Painting and Print Making and a minor in Sociology.  Since then, Mark has explored his zeal for painting by focusing on the human figure, usually incorporating Sci-Fi themes into his work. He also enjoys drawing his family farm.

"Mark just needed a little push to start selling his work and we are glad to help.  We are so excited to have a place for local artists and crafters to display and sell their beautiful and creative work!  We look forward to promoting local artists throughout the year," says Peaceful River Owner, Sheila Bosworth.

Peaceful River brings visitors back to a simpler time and is housed in a beautiful, circa-1916 bank building, formerly the home of McCausland State Bank. They carry many items from arts and crafts to antiques, gifts, and collectibles. Peaceful River Trading Co. is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.  McCausland is located about 20 miles northeast of Davenport, just off Utica Ridge Road on F33 and 5 minutes north of Scott County Park.  Explore Peaceful River Trading Co. at www.peacefulrivertradingco.com.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2012 AT 4PM

THE CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

30 N. CLINTON STREET, IOWA CITY

IOWA CITY - SUNDAYS AT FOUR, a free community arts series, will present JOY KILLS SORROW, a Boston-based string band, on March 4 at 4pm, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton Street in Iowa City.

Joy Kills Sorrow is a "newgrass" band with five young performers who joined together in Boston after their classical training.  Iowa City native Bridget Kearney is the bassist and primary songwriter for the band.

Come and spend an hour with the lamenting music of the heartland, singular stories of heartache and laughter, beautiful string arrangements and pure ensemble singing.

For more information on the SUNDAYS AT FOUR series, call 319-337-4301 or visit the church's website at www.uccic.org.  The Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 30 N. Clinton Street, across from the University of Iowa Pentacrest.  The Church is handicapped-accessible.

Maquoketa Art Experience Exhibits "Small Branch: New Collage" by Mary Zeran

From March 1st to April 13th, 2012, Maquoketa Arts Experience will be exhibiting Small Branch: New Collage by Cedar Rapids, Iowa artist Mary Zeran. The exhibition will held in MAE's Maquoketa 124 S. Main St. space.

Small Branch: New Collage by Mary Zeran, consists of new work Zeran created specifically for the MAE exhibit. "I feel a certain calm when I am in Iowa. There is nothing like driving through the countryside to help me feel grounded and soothed." Zeran said. "When I look at our landscape, I see and hear music and movement. Our landscape is like a wonderful musical passage filled with curves, movement of the wind, and scruffy colorful wildness." Exploring the idea of "place", Zeran is fascinated with what it means to be a native Iowan. Seeing the landscape with fresh eyes after moving back to Iowa in 2005, her boldly colored abstract collage describe the movement, emotions, and rhythm of her native state.

Iowan by birth, Cedar Rapids artist Mary Zeran has lived in 12 different cities including Portland, Or, and Seattle, WA. Her work can be found in permanent collections throughout the state and country. Her collages are created primarily in acrylic on Duralar (an archival acetate) and are known for their juicy colors, and organic forms suspended in multiple layers of glaze. "I am thrilled to be exhibiting at Maquoketa Art experience." said Zeran. " I am inspired by their mission to share art with their local community." .

From March 1st to April 30th, an online version of the exhibition will be posted on Zeran's flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=sets .

An opening reception will be held March 9th, 5pm to 7:30pm at Maquoketa Arts Experience, 124 S. Main St., Maquoketa, IA 52060

For further information about Mary Zeran's work including dates and times for upcoming exhibitions, please visit her website at www.maryzeran.com or email zeranm@earthlink.net

For more information call: Maquoketa Art Experience (563)652-9925 or visit http://www.maquoketa-art.org/

High resolution color images available on request.

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