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Close to Home

John Bloom’s art is a celebration of Midwestern life. It also brought love into his life and an opportunity to study with Grant Wood.

The Figge Art Museum’s exhibit “John Bloom: Close to Home” showcases more than 60 works of art by the beloved local artist. Bloom grew up in small town DeWitt, Iowa. He briefly attended St. Ambrose College before enrolling in the Art Institute of Chicago, which eventually lead him to the Stone City Art Colony. There, he met his future wife Isabel and studied with Grant Wood. He also completed multiple mural commissions with Wood.

On display at the Figge will be his paintings, sculptures, and prints, in addition to figure sketches and examples of his industrial designing. These industrial designs are rarely seen, and offer a new way to look at the familiar artist.

Don’t wait to see the Figge Art Museum’s exhibition, which runs through January 13th.

Iowa Public Radio delves into the life and work of John Bloom with Vanessa Sage, Assistant Curator at the Figge.

For more information, visit https://figgeartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/view/john-bloom-close-to-home/15

Jacqueline Halbloom is a Sr. Music Producer and Classical Music Host