Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Registration now closed

Grant Wood Country Forum

2023-01-30 18:00:00 2023-01-30 20:00:00 America/Chicago Grant Wood Country Forum An eight-week series devoted to sparking conversation, curiosity, and creative writing related to Iowa’s iconic artist Grant Wood and the beautiful land he painted. Downtown Library -

Monday, January 30
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2023-01-30 18:00:00 2023-01-30 20:00:00 America/Chicago Grant Wood Country Forum An eight-week series devoted to sparking conversation, curiosity, and creative writing related to Iowa’s iconic artist Grant Wood and the beautiful land he painted. Downtown Library -

An eight-week series devoted to sparking conversation, curiosity, and creative writing related to Iowa’s iconic artist Grant Wood and the beautiful land he painted.

This online series is for anyone interested in learning and responding, conversationally or through creative writing (short fiction, poetry, lyrics/songs, creative non-fiction, short essay), to the enduring legacy of Grant Wood, his artworks, his many artistic friendships/associations, as well as the land, history and culture of Iowa across time.

The series includes enlightening presentations, conversations and tools/resources for writers and observers. Also, built into the series, is ongoing opportunities to share creative writing and submit poetry, short fiction and essays.

Attendance at all sessions is not required. However, participation is necessary to be considered for publication in the 2023 Grant Wood Country Chronicle publication.

This dynamic initiative is a continuation and expansion of the series first presented by Grant Wood Writers Forum and the Anamosa Library & Learning Center in ’20-’21. Collaborating partners now include: The Grant Wood Country Writers Forum, Anamosa Library & Learning Center, Cedar Rapids Public Library, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and Iowa Poetry Association.

Register for one event to be signed-up for the entire series.

You can register for the series any time after January 9th as well.

Please note that there is NO session scheduled for January 16th.

Sessions will be recorded and posted on the Cedar Rapids Public Library's YouTube Channel in the case that you miss a session.

The Zoom link will be sent each Monday morning for the evening's event.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, January 9, 2023:  Series Introduction: For Arts/Culture/History/Writing Enthusiasts, observers and participants
Tips & Tricks to Unlock Creative Writing Impulses, with Dawn Terpstra (president of the Iowa Poetry Association)
The Perfect Woman, Idle Wives & Nan: Women and Others in Cultural Context during the Grant Wood Era (1890-1940), with Elaine Mattingly


Monday, January 16, 2023: No session (library closed for MLK Day)


Monday, January 23, 2023: The American Gothic House: The Making of an Iconic Image with Global Impact, with site director Cari Nicely


Monday, January 30, 2023: Rural Life in Context during the Grant Wood Era (1890-1940), with Steve Hanken


Monday, February 6, 2023: City Life in Context during the Grant Wood Era (1890-1940), with Joe Coffey


Monday, February 13, 2023: “Women’s Work” in the Grant Wood Era (1890-1940), with Sylvia Popelka and Barbara Feller


Monday, February 20, 2023: Featured Grant Wood Artwork Exploration: Daughters of Revolution, with Barbara Feller, and Sylvia Popelka


Monday, February 27, 2023: Featured Grant Wood Artwork Exploration: The Appraisal, with Paul Juhl and Dorothy Bunting Montgomery


Monday, March 6, 2023: Readings & Conversation

Each session includes built-in opportunities for conversation, tips/inspirations for creative writers, and a short reading period for those inspired to write each week.

Downtown Library

Phone: 319.261.READ

Hours
Mon, May 12 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 13 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 14 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 15 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 16 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 17 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 18 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

The Downtown Library is located at 450 5th Avenue SE, in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids. It is a 94,000 square foot building with a variety of civic spaces and a vibrant collection of library materials. Special features of this location are the Whipple Auditorium, a 200 seat auditorium overlooking Greene Square; and the LivingLearning Roof, a green roof with public seating and space to hold special events. Roasters Café is located in the Downtown Library, providing a full service coffee shop for visitors, as well as catering for meetings and special events.

Upcoming Events

Tue, May 13, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Review basics ideas on how to present your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a professional way on a resume to capture the attention of potential employers.

Tue, May 13, 10:00am - 10:30am
Downtown Library - Children's Program Room
Join us for a fun-filled story time for children ages 2-5. This high-energy story times features stories, songs, parachute play, and bubbles!

Tue, May 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ladd Library - Community Room
Learn scrapbooking techniques including photo layout, page design, embellishment, and journaling in a welcoming environment.

Tue, May 13, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Ladd Library - Community Room
Newcomers always welcome to this general interest book club.

Wed, May 14, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Get ready to unlock your potential and take the next step in your career!

Wed, May 14, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Financial Education Programs gives you the resources you can need to achieve financial freedom.

Wed, May 14, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Downtown Library - Union
Put your card game skills to the test in a casual play environment. Magic The Gathering and Pokémon TCG cards provided.

Wed, May 14, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Learn and practice English for free at the library.

Wed, May 14, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Thu, May 15, 10:00am - 10:30am
Downtown Library - Children's Program Room
Children and caregivers are invited to a story time that is designed for attendees with multi-sensory needs including low lights, reduced sounds, and opportunities for social interaction and play.

Thu, May 15, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
Join us to create a wreath out of old book pages.

Thu, May 15, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
The internet has become an essential part of any job search, but with so many resources as well as scams, it can be difficult to know where to even begin. This workshop can help!

Thu, May 15, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ladd Library - Community Room
Trained, certified therapy dogs provide companionship to emerging readers as they earn a free library book and bookmark. Everyone is welcome to read to the dogs. Stay for a performance at 7 p.m.!

Fri, May 16, 9:30am - 10:30am
Ladd Library - Community Room
A 15-minute story and song program for newborns to three-year-olds, followed by a 45-minute playtime.

Fri, May 16, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Learn and practice English for free at the library!

Sat, May 17, 10:00am - 10:30am
Ladd Library - Community Room
Ms. Olivia will read some fabulous new picture books, and you get to vote for your favorites!

Sat, May 17, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Library - Conference Room
Are you socially anxious, introverted, new in town, or just looking for an easy way to meet new people? Join us to play board games and have fun! (Knowing how to play games is not required.)

Mon, May 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Get ready to unlock your potential and take the next step in your career.

Mon, May 19, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ladd Library - Community Room
Join us for a free community game of Bingo! First come, first play, with all necessary materials provided. There is no contribution, monetary or otherwise, required to play.

Mon, May 19, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Learn new computer skills or gain additional experience on current skills with IowaWORKS and the Northstar Computer Literacy program.

Tue, May 20, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Review basics ideas on how to present your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a professional way on a resume to capture the attention of potential employers.

Tue, May 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downtown Library - Technology Classroom
Teens will learn how to use the 3D printer and Tinkercad to create their own 3D designs. They'll be able to learn at their own pace and set their creative direction.

Wed, May 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Get ready to unlock your potential and take the next step in your career!

Wed, May 21, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Financial Education Programs gives you the resources you can need to achieve financial freedom.

Wed, May 21, 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium A
Adventurers await! Bring your Level 1, Fifth Edition character and see what adventures unfold. Continue questing to level up your character and see what mysteries you may uncover.

Wed, May 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Learn and practice English for free at the library.

Wed, May 21, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Thu, May 22, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ladd Library - Community Room
Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders.

Thu, May 22, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Practice common interview questions, improve your impromptu conversations skills, and talk about the “unwritten rules” of interviewing.

Fri, May 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Downtown Library - Children's Program Room
Arts, movement, and music for youth and their caregivers. This program is geared to pre-K to second graders.

Sat, May 24, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium A/B
Come to the library for a special program about raptors in Iowa! Raptology will bring some birds of prey and educate attendees about the birds’ habitats, diet, and more! Geared toward K-6th graders.

Sun, May 25, All day
Downtown Library
Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library are closed.

Sun, May 25, All day
Ladd Library
Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library are closed.

Mon, May 26, All day
Downtown Library
Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library are closed.

Mon, May 26, All day
Ladd Library
Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library are closed.

Tue, May 27, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Review basics ideas on how to present your knowledge, skills, and abilities in a professional way on a resume to capture the attention of potential employers.

Wed, May 28, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Get ready to unlock your potential and take the next step in your career!

Wed, May 28, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Financial Education Programs gives you the resources you can need to achieve financial freedom.

Wed, May 28, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Downtown Library - Union
Put your card game skills to the test in a casual play environment. Magic The Gathering and Pokémon TCG cards provided.

Wed, May 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Learn and practice English for free at the library.

Wed, May 28, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
New venue Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium A
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Thu, May 29, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
The internet has become an essential part of any job search, but with so many resources as well as scams, it can be difficult to know where to even begin. This workshop can help!

Fri, May 30, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ladd Library - Opportunity Center Classroom
Learn and practice English for free at the library!

Sat, May 31, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Library - Conference Room
Come play some tabletop games with us! Bring your favorite indie RPG to share with the group or try a new game that one of our GMs has prepared. No experience necessary.

Wed, Jun 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Thu, Jun 05, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Ladd Library - Community Room
The Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of each month at 4 pm for their regular meeting.

Wed, Jun 11, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.