Even if you’re in it for the food and drink, a good view never hurts. At restaurants across the CRANDIC, that view is enhanced by artists. The confluence of art and food is visible in everything from grab-and-go items eaten on brightly painted picnic benches dotting Iowa City’s downtown, to an intentional sit-down meal (with […]
Public Art
Posted inCentral Iowa
Swirling guardrails accent Altoona’s new 1st Avenue roundabout as a four-year public art project wraps up
Much like Charles Bradley and Ozzy Osbourne, Altoona is going through changes. This year, the city released an amendment to their 2014 Comprehensive Plan that would put in infrastructure to “recognize the potential growth of the community and propose key concepts to be followed as community growth and change occur.” Among many other measures, the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Public art meets the front porch swing in Black Hawk Mini Park
The official description of Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 calls it an “international participatory public art installation” that “features a series of three-dimensional red frames that illustrate the warmth, comfort, and safety of our home.” But anyone walking past Black Hawk Mini Park can be forgiven if their first thought is, Oh, look, swings! The […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Loop, an interactive art exhibit, lights up the Ped Mall
Loop began to light up the Ped Mall on Friday. The interactive art installation combines spinning illustrations and quiet music, all powered by the person viewing the art. The installation features large cylindrical pods that mimic the display of a zoetrope, an early 19th-century precursor of the movies. Zoetropes were tabletop devices containing a loop […]
Posted inUncategorized
Creating public art becomes more private during the pandemic, but the work continues in Iowa City
A reduction of Iowa Citians in the streets hasn’t stopped local artists from beautifying them. Thomas Agran, director of public art for the Iowa City Downtown District, said that when the pandemic started affecting local businesses and jobs, his office mobilized to try to get projects in the hands of artists as quickly as possible. […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘My life matters! Your life matters!’: Iowa artists unveil new mural overlooking Iowa City’s Northside
A new mural from Iowa artists Robert Moore and Dana Harrison, titled “The Reciprocal of Humanity,” was formally unveiled Saturday night, July 4, on the side of the Market House on North Linn Street. Building project manager Ross Nusser recruited the artists, who have worked together frequently in the past, for the project. “I love […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa City seeks input on Creekside art installation
Backyard Abundance — an environmental education nonprofit based in Johnson County — and Marion artist Cara Briggs Farmer combined skills to remodel Chadek Green Park in 2018: the nonprofit designed a community garden, and Briggs Farmer created the “Three Sisters” art installation to complement it. “The three aluminum structures represent the three daughters of Carl […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Linn County and Cedar Rapids want artists to submit proposals from new public art projects
Linn County and Cedar Rapids are looking for artists to create new work of public art. Linn County needs both indoor and outdoor works for the new Dr. Percy and Lileah Harris building, and Cedar Rapids needs for a “pocket plaza” that scheduled to open later this year.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
“Art in Public” meets #MeToo at 6th Biennial Grant Wood Symposium
This year, the University of Iowa Grant Wood Symposium — now in its sixth biennial iteration — tackles the topic of public art. The symposium, a program of the UI Office of Outreach and Engagement, presented by the Grant Wood Art Colony, seeks to engage with Wood’s legacy, this year by exploring one of his greatest passions.
Posted inCommunity/News
Your Village: What are those huge faces along I-80 in Iowa City?
Have a question about what’s going on in your community? Ask Little Village. Submit your questions through the Your Village feature on our homepage, or email us at editor@littlevillagemag.com.
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City looking to add public art celebrating the farmers market to Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp
Art isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when most people think about parking ramps, but neither is fresh produce and the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramps is home to the Iowa City Farmers Market. The Iowa City Public Art Program is now accepting submissions for a project to add art to the farmers market experience.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Call for submissions: More than $20k available for Iowa City muralists
The Iowa City Downtown District (ICDD) announced today a new mural program that will distribute $22,500 in commissions to local artists able to “transform otherwise forgettable walls into community assets.” The commissions for five designated locations will come in $1500-$6000 increments: $1500 for 118 S Dubuque St (alley) The north side of the Fieldhouse building […]
