On April 25 and 26, the University of Iowa proudly hosted the 8th Biennial Grant Wood Symposium, themed Race & Regionalism: Representation in the Heartland. Over 60 participants, both in-person and virtual, gathered to engage in meaningful dialogue about how artists of diverse backgrounds have shaped and been shaped by the American Midwest and beyond.

The symposium featured a range of panelists who spoke on African American, Asian American, Native American, and Chicanx representation in American art. Conversations explored critical themes such as fascism, exoticism, and otherness—highlighting how these concepts intersect with regional identity and national narratives.

Presenters examined the lives and works of artists spanning the country—from the Southwest to Maine and the Midwest to the South. Notable figures discussed included Georgia O’Keeffe, John Marin, Antonio Garcia, Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller, and of course, Grant Wood himself. Their inclusion underscored the wide-ranging impact of regional voices in the broader story of American art.

The symposium concluded with a reception and an evocative performance by interdisciplinary artist Katherine Simóne Reynolds at the Stanley Museum of Art. Her work offered a powerful artistic coda to a weekend of rich academic and creative exchange.

We extend our sincere thanks to all who contributed to making the symposium a success. Your presence and insights continue to move the conversation forward on race, regionalism, and representation in American art.