Davenport, IOWA (May 2012). David Plowden's Iowa will open at the Figge Art Museum on Saturday, May 12 and run through August 19, 2012.   The product of a collaboration between Humanities Iowa, the Figge and several other museums in the state, the exhibition features over fifty black and white photographs that showcase familiar as well as never seen images of Plowden's beloved Iowa.

Iowa has been a subject of David Plowden's photography since 1983 when a commission by Smithsonian magazine to photograph corn first introduced the native of the East Coast to Iowa. Since this initial visit, Plowden has returned to Iowa time and again, seeking to convey his impressions and experience of Iowa as a uniquely American "place."

"The notion that home is a place integral to a person's sense of self is not a novel concept. Identifying a geographic region as the Middle-West or the heartland implies that it is a place central to a country's identity - the very heart of America. In Plowden's own words, it is not possible to understand America without a visit to the Midwest," says Figge Associate Curator Rima Girnius.

Mr. Plowden will be featured in at 7pm Art Talk at the Figge on Thursday, May 17.  During the Art Talk, Associate Curator Rima Girnius will interview Mr. Plowden about his long career, and his photographs on display in David Plowden's Iowa.  The Figge will host a public reception for the exhibition prior to Mr. Plowden's talk.  The reception begins at 6pm.  The reception and Art Talk are free with membership or paid admission.

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, Sundays 12-5 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit our website, www.figgeartmuseum.org.

Left Bank Art League is an organization of around 100 artists and supporters of the arts in the Quad Cities.  Our primary focus is to encourage education in art, as well as regularly meet together to work on our art together, sponsor and participate in art workshops and network. This competition was held at the Quad City Arts in Rock Island, IL.

Congratulations go out to -

Caitlyn Doran, a senior at Moline High School won with her piece titled "Inside the Bear".  It was created in watercolor and ink.  Caitlyn's instructor is Nick Digioia.

Max McInnnis, a 10th grader in Bettendorf and student of Mrs. B's School of Art won with his piece titled "Water Runner".  It was created in acrylic.  His instructor is Pat Bereskin.

"The Yellow House" will be displayed in U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today congratulated Chelsea Page from Montrose, who is in 10th grade at Central Lee High School in Donnellson, for being named the Second District's winner in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition.  Page's watercolor, entitled "The Yellow House," will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.  She will also receive two round trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.  This year's competition was hosted at the University of Iowa's Art West Building and the winning piece was selected by judges Rachel Williams, UI Associate Professor of Gender, Women's & Sexuality Studies/Media, Social Practice, and Design and Peter Feldstein, photographer and originator of "The Oxford Project."

"I was very impressed by the quality of this year's entries.  The creativity demonstrated by all of the talented young artists in Iowa proves that the arts are thriving," said Loebsack. "I especially want to congratulate this year's winner Chelsea Page and I look forward to seeing her watercolor displayed in the Capitol."

In the spring of every year, the United States House of Representatives hosts a competition to recognize talented young artists from across the nation. The winning student from each district is invited to Washington, D.C. for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

A photo of this year's winning piece can be seen here.

Winners:

1) The Yellow House (watercolor), Chelsea Page, Montrose, Central Lee High School in Donnelson

2) Death of an Alcoholic Bull (chalk), Sara Miner, Donnelson, Central Lee High School in Donnelson

3) Untitled (B&W photography), Lucy Van Gorder, Tiffin, City High School in Iowa City

Honorable Mentions:

1) Playing in the Sand, Kelli Schneider, Iowa City, City High School in Iowa City

2) Landscape, Emilee Beattie, Ottumwa, Cardinal High School in Eldon

3) Nature's Observation, Molly Westermeyer, Keokuk, Central Lee High School in Donnelson

Moline, IL - Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17) will be hosting a reception in honor of the 2012 Congressional Art Competition on Saturday, May 5 at the Augustana College Art Museum in Rock Island.  This is the annual Congressional Art Show's 30th year, and Schilling has invited high schools from across the district to participate.

"The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity to highlight our area's talented young people," Schilling said. "I look forward to seeing their skill and creativity on display at this weekend's reception."

Each high school in the 17th District has been offered the opportunity to submit up to five pieces of artwork for display at Saturday's art show.  A total of three votes will determine the winners.  Two local art experts will be the core judges, with the third vote cast by a compilation of votes cast by the reception's attendees.  The first place finisher will have his or her piece displayed for the next year in a corridor of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC along with winning pieces from other congressional districts around the country.  Sponsored by the Congressional Institute, the first place finisher and one guest will receive a free flight to Washington, DC to attend the 2012 Congressional Art Competition Reception on Capitol Hill and see their work on display.  The remaining four artists may select to have their pieces featured in Schilling's district offices for the remainder of the year.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 as a way to recognize and encourage the artistic talent of our country's youth. Since it was launched, more than 650,000 students have participated nationwide.

The Augustana College Art Museum is located at the front of Centennial Hall, at the northwest corner of the intersection of 7th Avenue and 38th Street in Rock Island.  Interested students or parents can contact Claudia Ridenour with questions at (309) 757-7630.

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