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Grant Wood Country Forum

2023-02-06 18:00:00 2023-02-06 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, February 06
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2023-02-06 18:00:00 2023-02-06 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
We're closed Friday July 04 due to Closed for the holiday.
Mon, Jun 30 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 01 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 02 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 04 Closed
(Closed for the holiday.)
Sat, Jul 05 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 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

Wed, Jul 02, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Thu, Jul 03, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Downtown Library - Conference Room
The Cedar Rapids Public Library Board of Trustees meets the first Thursday of each month at 4 pm for their regular meeting.

Fri, Jul 04, All day
Downtown Library
Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library are closed.

Fri, Jul 04, All day
Ladd Library
Both locations of the Cedar Rapids Public Library are closed.

Wed, Jul 09, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Thu, Jul 17, 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.!

Wed, Jul 23, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.

Sat, Jul 26, 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, Jul 30, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Downtown Library - Beems Auditorium B
A relaxed, casual session playing this great universal game.