Adam Gonshorowski with Sioux City Art Center / Sheila Brummer with Iowa Public Radio
Conservators have restored Grant Wood's century-old 'Corn Room' mural, bringing new life to one of Sioux City's most significant works of art. The mural now anchors a new exhibition that explores Wood's legacy and the changing story of rural America.
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Internationally renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo is known for creating towering, whimsical trolls that can be found all around the world. Built from reclaimed materials, they've popped up in hidden, natural locations all across the globe. Now, there are four to find in Iowa. -
Danish artist Thomas Dambo has built giant troll sculptures all over the world. He makes them entirely out of reclaimed materials and hides them in natural spaces. Iowa is now home to four trolls, as part of Dambo's 'Trolls of America' dream to have at least one troll in all 50 states. On this episode we talk with Thomas about he came to be a world famous trash artist. Then, we hear from the Clinton, Iowa residents who convinced Dambo's team to install wooden trolls in what was once considered the lumber capital of the world, as well as from some of the volunteers and builders who helped construct the trolls named Helmut, Marvin and Warren around the city. A fourth troll named Fjord Ferryman was also recently unveiled in southwest Iowa at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn. -
The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines will not host its annual Wild Lights lantern festival this spring. Organizers say visa issues have halted production.
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Though people don't typically go to the University of Iowa hospital and clinics for the artwork, the works can have a large impact on patients and loved ones. Project Art at University of Iowa Healthcare started in 1976. It now owns and displays more than 6,500 original works of art, and it’s become an indispensable part of providing care. Charity Nebbe speaks with Project Art's director Allison Schwanebeck, the collections coordinator Anna Villareal and visual and performing arts coordinator Nicole Wolz. Then, we learn about research into who really drives pesticide regulation with rural sociologist Katie Dentzman.
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The number of people identifying as Native Americans in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2010 and 2020, according to the U.S. Census.
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The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation's AR Mural Project is the latest investment in interactive art in central Iowa.
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Today, we listen back to conversations with Iowan artist and author Luke Stoffel and Danish artist Thomas Dambo.
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The nearly mile-long light sculpture titled Evanescent Field covers the museum's exterior. It will light up the museum each night at sunset. -
Property owners unexpectedly painted over multiple murals on University Laundry in Des Moines to prep the building for sale, including an image of the late civil rights leader, Freedom Rider and U.S. Rep. John Lewis.
