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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.
An 8-week Zoom series exploring art, history, culture and the enduring allure of all things associated with prolific and iconic artist Grant Wood. Participants from Iowa and beyond may enjoy one, or all eight, of these weekly no-fee sessions featuring presentations, quick “bites” of interest, Q&A, conversation and tips for writers who aspire to submit poetry, short fiction and essays to the biennial Grant Wood Country Chronicle (distributed to area libraries, Grant-Wood-related organizations and Chronicle contributors).
Readings of participant-created poems and short-short fiction are built in to the schedule. Additionally, poets are encouraged to submit poems to the annual Grant Wood Poetry Award category of the annual Iowa Poetry Association contest (open to Iowa residents).
Register for one event to be signed-up for the entire series.
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 morning prior to the event.
January 9, 2024
—Welcome & Introduction to Series, with resource links and opportunity announcements for poets, short fiction writers and essayists
—From Masterpiece to Landfill… Almost!—The Movement that Saved Grant Wood's Fall Plowing Landscape, with Forum founder & Grant Wood Country Chronicle editor Elaine Mattingly and guest Lisa Ferretti
January 16, 2024
—The Mysterious Mrs. Wood, with rural life enthusiast and son of Grant Wood Country, Steve Hanken and author/historian Paul C. Juhl
—Poetry and short-short fiction readings with session participants
January 23, 2024
—Grant Wood’s COEnections: Marvin Cone and Conger Metcalf, with authors Barbara Feller and Dorothy Bunting Montgomery
January 30, 2024
—Art Unveiled: The Vibrant Palette of the Artists at Stone City Art Colony," with author and daughter of Grant Wood Country, Dorothy Bunting Montgomery
February 6, 2024
—Bare Bathing in the Moonlight: Unpacking Grant Wood's Sultry Night, with historian/author Paul C. Juhl
February 13, 2024 (Grant Wood’s Birthday Celebration Session!)
—Rural Rhapsodies: The Soundscapes of Grant Wood’s America, with collector/multi-media producer/writer/musician Joe Coffey
—Poetry and short-short fiction readings with session participants
February 20, 2024
—Cedar Rapids Museum of Art: Annual Grant Wood Art Exploration with Executive Director Sean Ulmer
—Grant Wood Places: Cedar Rapids’ Shakespeare Garden, with historian/author Barbara Feller
February 27, 2024
—Grant Wood & Regionalist Places: Then & Now, with photographer Ben Stahle and author/historian Paul C. Juhl
—Poetry and short-short fiction readings with session participants
Forum & Chronicle Contact:
FacebooElaine Mattingly, Founder/Editor
(641)840-0972
gwcf@windstream.net
Facebook: Grant Wood Country Forum
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.
