15 Sep 2015

Presentation: "Laura Musser & Her Legacy" by Melanie Alexander

By Rick Martin

The Muscatine Art Center's Music Room

Thursday, September 24th at 5:30 p.m.

FREE ADMISSION

Join Muscatine Art Center Director, Melanie Alexander, for an exploration of the life and legacy of Laura Musser McColm Atkins. The presentation, "Laura Musser & Her Legacy", is offered as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Laura Musser Art Gallery & Museum, later named the Muscatine Art Center. Photographs of Laura Musser, some rarely on view, will be woven into the free presentation offered on September 24th at 5:30 p.m.

Details about Laura Musser's family, her marriage to Edwin McColm, her involvement in the McColm Dry Goods Store, and her second marriage to William T. Atkins of Kansas City will be shared. Through oral histories given by Laura's domestic servants, the day-to-day operations of the households as well as the individual experiences as a member of Laura's staff will be highlighted. The presentation also includes photographs of clothing belonging to Laura Musser and a discussion of the artwork that captured Laura's likeness during her lifetime.

The Muscatine Art Center's collection includes the locally well-known portrait by Thomas Riss painted from a photograph taken by Oscar Grossheim as well as a marble statue bust of Laura as child created by sculptor George Grey Barnard and a bronze relief bust of Laura as a young lady.

Quotes from Laura Musser's journals from 1936 and 1937 will illustrate how she spent her days in the time period between the passing of her first husband and her second marriage. Laura's words capture the degree to which she took responsibility for the operations of the McColm Dry Goods Store/Laurel Building, her fondness for her family (and especially her close connection to her brother Drew who lived in Little Falls, Minnesota), and her compassion for many individuals and families in Muscatine.

Director Melanie Alexander's talk is the first in a series of programs about the Musser family and their connections. On October 22, 2015 at noon, volunteers from Linden Hill, the home of Laura's brother Drew, will present on Drew Musser, his family, and his connection to his next door neighbor, Charles Weyerhaeuser. Charles and Drew both built mansion which are today listed on the National Register of Historic Places - the Weyerhaeuser mansion is open as the Linden Hill Historic Museum. Peter Musser and Frederick Weyerhaeuser, fathers of the Drew and Charles, had been business partners and friends back in the Muscatine/Quad Cities area. On November 5, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., historian Tom Rasmussen and author Judith Healy will present on the important relationship between Peter Musser and Frederick Weyerhaeuser.

All programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Please contact Melanie Alexander, Director, with any questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email at malexander@muscatineiowa.gov.

The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.

10 Sep 2015

Online Art Gallery for the Disabled

By Maggie Burns
The Disability Enterprise Foundation announces the opening of an online art gallery for Iowa artists and artisans with disabilities. The Iowa Disability Creative Works Gallery is designed to showcase the creative talents of Iowans with disabilities and to help them market their creative works. The website for the creative works gallery is www.idcwg.org. The gallery will display photos of creative works accepted by the Gallery review committee, along with an eCommerce feature that allows artists/artisans to sell their works on display. For submission forms and more information contact Maggie Burns by email - maggieburns55@yahoo.com - or by telephone - 319-621-4401; or Tom Walz at 319-530-8765.
09 Sep 2015

World Famous Figge Architect Sir David Chipperfield in Davenport to Celebrate 10th Anniversary

By Sara Morby

WHO: Sir David Chipperfield and Figge Art Museum staff

WHAT: Sir David Chipperfield will make a short statement about the 10th anniversary and will take questions from the press.  Photo and b-roll opportunity with Sir David Chipperfield and Figge model museum.

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Sep. 10.

WHERE: Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd Street, Davenport.

CONTACT: Sara Morby, Development Assistant, (563) 345-6642 or (309) 373-4711.
09 Sep 2015

Stickley Roadshow with Mike Danial Wednesday, September 9th at 6pm! Free!

By Kelly Lao

Please join the GAHC in welcoming this impressive speaker as he joins us on his Stickley Roadshow Tour. This event is sponsored by Knilans' Furniture and Interiors and is free and open to the public.

Mike Danial's firsthand knowledge of his topic is extensive. He began his career at the L. & J. G. Stickley Furniture Co. in 1974. In his 37 years at Stickley, he has seen the company grow from 26 employees in 1974 to approximately 1500 employees today. Mike's great-uncle, Vinchenzo Mellache worked for Leopold Stickley in the 1940s through 1959. Mike has worked in every department including Rough Mill, Fine Mill, Sanding, Cabinet Room, and Finishing Department. He even managed the Customer Service Department. In 1988 he became the project director of the Mission Oak Collection which now accounts for approximately 70% of company sales.
Today, Mike serves as Stickley's corporate historian and travels throughout the country lecturing on Stickley Furniture and the American Arts and Crafts movement. He is also the restoration specialist for the firm's corporate museum. When not lecturing, Mike is the author of "Ask Sadie!" the Stickley Answer Desk for the corporate level learning and information systems. He holds a degree in Business Management from New Hampshire College and a degree in Wood Technology from SUNY Morrisville.
This program is part of our exhibition,Built to Last: Gustav Stickley's Legacy of Design, now open through November 1st.

This exhibit is sponsored by the Riverboat Development Authority and Knilans' Furniture and Interiors.

The German American Heritage Center is located at 712 West 2nd St. Davenport, IA. For more information contact Kelly at 563-322-8844 or kelly.lao@gahc.org.

Exhibition
09 Sep 2015

Jeff Gandert: September's Featured Artist at Bereskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio

By Pat Bereskin
This wildlife artist will be displaying his work in Bereskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio beginning

September 25th, 6-9 p.m. through Saturday, October 24th,

The Quad City area has an admirer coming to town. "Iowa is one of my favorite places to paint," began wild life artist Jeff Gandert. "Painting in the natural world is an ambition that continually evolves." It began well before he ever picked up the artists' brushes. Born in Cincinnati in 1957, he spent a great deal of his early years exploring the woodland streams and abandoned farms near his home," said Gandert in an interview with Beréskin Art Gallery Director Pat Bereskin. I just began absorbing all that countryside with it's wildlife and finally began to spill over in my paintings." Starting with art classes in high school and then into self studies and studies with fellow artists, his work was soon being published on the cover of a number of magazines. "I divide my painting time between wildlife and landscape painting. My landscapes are painted on location. They are loose renditions of the scene capturing the essence of the day. Having a fun loving side, I am like a kid in a candy store with landscape painting. I can really let go. Knowing that I'll complete the painting in one or two sittings I can forget the details and capture the essence of the day. I have an absolute ball with this kind of painting, I can really let go and "make hay" with the brushes.  I also have a serious side and that's where my wildlife painting comes in. Some of these paintings can take hundreds of hours to complete. I get totally submerged in the painting, striving for a believable realness and sense of depth. It's out of this type of painting that I get my greatest satisfaction," Gandert said.

Jeff has exhibited in a number of national shows including The Arts for the Parks National Show and Tour, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum Birds in Art Exhibit and World Tour, and The Great American Artist Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. He is also a member of the Society of Animal Artists. Jeff has won numerous awards including three best of show awards in national competitions. 

Gandert's latest creations of wildlife will be on display at Beréskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio from September 25th through October 24th. The community is invited to an Art Talk, by Gandert, on his work and process Wednesday, September 23rd at noon at the gallery, 225 E. 2nd St. Suite 102 & 104, in downtown Davenport.  A public reception for the artist will be help on Final Friday September 25th, 6 to 9 p.m.

09 Sep 2015

September events at the Putnam!

By Putnam Museum
Quad Cities
Jewish Heritage
Opening Friday, Sept. 11 - Jan. 2016

Experience first hand the regional and national impact created by the Jewish community of the Quad Cities including contributions in the arts, business and much more. Artifacts and stories from the local Jewish population paint a picture of religious and everyday life and a sense of how we can relate with our neighbors throughout their history in the Quad Cities.
Sponsors:
Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, Rauch Family Foundation II, Illinois Humanities and Humanities Iowa


This program is supported by Humanities Iowa, Illinois Humanities, the Illinois General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The views and opinions expressed by this program do not necessarily reflect those of the supporting agencies.

 

World Adventure Series 2015 - 2016:
Indelible India and Tall Nepal
Tuesday, Sept. 15
1:00 & 7:00pm**

Presented by Marcie Siegel
This timely travelogue will be about my trip to Northern India and Nepal in February and March of this year. Some of my experiences were as I expected, but others were unique. My talk will include some of each. Current information that will show the after-effects of the earthquakes Nepal experienced in April are included.
**THIS EVENT WILL HAVE INDIAN INSPIRED HORS D'OEUVRES AT 6:30PM

To register for World Adventure Series films, fill out this form and return or mail it to: 

Putnam Museum & Science Center
1717 W. 12th St. Davenport, IA 52804

River to River:
Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6
Thursday, Sept. 17
7:00pm

What do Bonnie & Clyde, Jesse James, and the secret author of Nancy Drew® stories have in common? U.S. Route 6 in Iowa takes two-lane motorists from Davenport on the Mississippi to Council Bluffs on the Missouri. Built in one day by 10,000 farmers and businesses across the state, Iowa's Route 6 is part of the second longest historical transcontinental highway in America. River to River: Iowa's Forgotten Highway 6 guides viewers on a nostalgic classic car journey through yesterday's soda shops, filling stations, general stores, drive-ins, and roadside attractions.  Experience the sights and sounds, the people and the places that the four-lanes have forgotten...before they are gone forever.

River to River is a documentary by Emmy® nominated and award-winning filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films in the Quad Cities. The film was inspired by the Historic Highway 6 research and photography of David W. Darby and funded in part by grants from Humanities Iowa, Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area and the National Endowment for the Humanities through the documentary's fiscal sponsor, The Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association.

Q&A with the filmmakers and others will follow the film presentation.
Tiny Giants 3D
Beginning Friday, Sept. 25

In an adventure of giant proportions, Tiny Giants 3D reveals the astonishing lives of the smallest of animals. Using the incredibly immersive power of specialist 3D cameras, audiences are transported in a very intimate way into another world to experience the titanic battles these creatures face to survive.
A chipmunk in a wild wood and a grasshopper mouse in Arizona's scorched deserts are both forced to grow up fast when they find themselves alone for the first time. Only by using their ingenious superpowers can our heroes not only stay alive, but also become masters of their universe.
Family Science Night
Friday, Sept. 25
Extended Hours 5:00 - 9:00pm
Come visit the Putnam Museum & Science Center during our extended hours Friday, September 11 from 5:00 - 9:00pm with your family!

Experience the impressive manufacturing and weaponry innovations made in our own backyard from the Rock Island Arsenal in Arsenal of Innovation Exhibit, learn about the major influence of a small group in the Quad Cities Jewish Heritage Exhibit, check out the new film Tiny Giants 3D on the National Geographic GIANT Screen, and discover inspiring, hands-on fun for everyone in our Science Center.
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04 Sep 2015

News from Niabi Zoo

By Niabi Zoo
FALL HOURS START SEPT 14.

The kids are back in school and soon fall will be here. When the seasons change, so do the zoo's hours.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday - Saturday
10 am - 4 pm
Sunday 
11 am - 4 pm
Last admission at 3 pm each day. The last pony rides of the season will be September 7. Purchase tickets at the zoo's entrance gate.
BREAKFAST WITH THE ANIMALS
There are three more Breakfast with the Animals dates for this season. Enjoy a warm breakfast buffet at 8:30 am then do a zoo activity. The activities change and may include a visit behind the scenes, an up close animal encounter or a chance to speak with the keepers.
The program ends around 9:30 am, then explore Niabi Zoo before the gates open for the day at 10 am.
Sept 19 Monkeys
Oct 17 In the Jungle
Dec 5 Visit with Santa
Zoo Members $18, Non-Members $22
CLASSES FOR KIDS AGES 2-4 BACK IN SESSION.
Sign up for Zoo Tots classes, starting September 10 and running through April 16. The class topic is the same Thursday and Saturday, and topics change each month.
The 60-minute class includes craft time, a story and animal encounter.
Members receive discounted class registration.
04 Sep 2015

The Salon Exhibition: Opening Reception

By Dubuque Area Arts Collective

7 to 11pm @ Dubuque Area Arts Collective

Also featuring live music by Dave Zollo (Midwestern Indie Music), and an Interactive Video Installation by Jay Schleidt.

The DAAC's 4th annual Salon Exhibition provides a chance for redemption for artists anonymous and notorious alike who have been turned down by Dubuque mainstream galleries as Voices and the DUMA Biannual.
Rejection is not the end, as Edouard Manet and James Whistler found through a show featuring rejected paintings, The Salon des Refuses. That tradition continues today with the Dubuque Area Art Collective's own "The Salon Exhibit", opening this Saturday.

This year, we are featuring works of new regional and local rejected artists, as well as the most recent work from artists of previous Salon Exhibits. For the first time, we are including artists that where not accepted in past juried exhibitions at the DAAC.

Exhibit open until October 2, Saturdays & Sundays 12-4pm.
02 Sep 2015

"Portraits of Amana" Art Exhibit opens September 10, 2015

By Rick Martin

AMANA, Iowa- A new Art Exhibit by Amana Colonies Artist, Marci Schwartz entitled "Portraits of Amana" will open on September 10 and continue until November 8th and consists of portraits of residents of the Amana Colonies.

Marci and her husband Ben live in South Amana along with their 3 daughters, Lucy 8, Harper 4 and June 3.

The public is invited to an open house on September 10th from 5:00-7:00pm.  At that time visitors may view Marci's work, visit with the artist and enjoy refreshments.

The Amana Arts Guild Gallery is open daily, except Tuesdays, from 10:30-4:30pm through September, October will be weekends only.

For more information call 319-622-3678 or email amanarts@southslope.net

02 Sep 2015

Amana Colonies' Artisans Studio Tour September 12-13, 2015

By Rick Martin

AMANA, Iowa- Artisans Studio Tour will be held in the seven villages of the Amana Colonies on Saturday, September 12th from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, September 13th from Noon to 5pm.

The Artisans Studio tour, a "Once a year experience", is a chance to visit artist in their working environment.  Experience the continuing tradition of beauty and excellence as you stroll through the unique galleries and studios of Amana's Artisans.

The eleven participating artist: Huebner's Oldhaus Fibers in the village of Amana specializing in Angora Rabbit Wool; Middle Amana Tinsmith, Bill Metz recreating traditional communal designs; High Amana's Wood turner Harvey Jeck, and the Amana Arts Guild; West Amana features three artists, Basket maker, Joanna E. Schanz weaving traditional willow basketry; Blacksmith, Alex Tjaden, working in the West Amana blacksmith shop, and Michele Maring Miller painting images of the Amana Colonies and other subjects; traditional rug weaving is done by George Berger in South Amana; the artists in  Homestead include Troy Thomas Art Gallery with contemporary and traditional painting, cooper, Tom Oehler with old traditional wooden buckets, and Roger Ipsen turning Burl Bowls.

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