In August of 1930, Grant Wood spotted the now infamous American Gothic House in Eldon, Iowa, because of an experiment in artistic outreach.
According to American Gothic: A Life of America’s Most Famous Painting (Steven Biel, 2005):
That summer, Edward Rowan, the young director of the Little Gallery in Cedar Rapids, decided to extend his efforts at promoting community fine arts […]. “Mr. Rowan,” reported the Ottumwa Courier, “announces that the extension work is done to show that the small midwestern community, entirely isolated from certain contacts, will yet respond most heartily to them when the opportunity for appreciation of the fine arts is given.”
While much has changed since 1930 and experimentation is no longer necessary, the Grant Wood Art Colony continues the endeavor for artistic outreach. The Grant Wood Fellows visit schools, museums, and other organizations across the state during their fellowships. Situated in the Office of Community Engagement, the Grant Wood Art Colony intends to extend its outreach in the coming years.
The combination of having Careena [Melia] visit the classroom to share details and her enthusiasm for her project and then participating in the first public presentation was an enriching and meaningful experience for our students. These kinds of experiences are the ones they will remember. Careena was an inspiration for the students as an artist driven by her passion and committed to sharing her talents generously. Thank you for helping to connect us.
Susan Wolverton, William R. & Winifred Shuttleworth Professor of Theatre Arts, Chair, Coe College (Cedar Rapids, IA)
Art in the community
Upcoming events
Grant Wood Country Forum: Welcome, Featuring "Seeing Wood: Cedar Rapids Community School District Grant Wood Collection"
After a welcome from Grant Wood Country Forum director Elaine Mattingly, Grant Wood Art Colony director Maura Pilcher will discuss the new partnership between the Forum and the University of Iowa followed by an update on the Grant Wood Catalogue Raisonné project.
"The Recipe: Introduction to All Things Grant Wood Country Forum," by Elaine Mattingly
Elaine Mattingly’s connection to all things Grant Wood goes back six generations in the Anamosa, Stone City, Viola and Cedar Rapids areas of Iowa. She...
Grant Wood Country Forum: "The Couple with the Pitchfork: The Back Story to A Forthcoming Book"
"The Couple with the Pitchfork: The Back Story to A Forthcoming Book," Wanda Corn and Joni Kinsey
Wanda Corn is a scholar of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century American art and photography. Having earned a BA (1963), MA (1965) and Ph.D. (1974) from New York University, Professor Corn taught at Washington Square College, the University of California, Berkeley, and Mills College before moving to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California in 1980. At Stanford she held the university's...
Grant Wood Fellows Artist Talks & Panel | 2026
Join the 2025–2026 Grant Wood Fellows artists for an evening of discussion about their work and research. The event will be accompanied by light refreshments.
Panel members:
Ada Friedman (Painting & Drawing)
Elizabeth Claire Rose (Printmaking)
Kyle Marshall (Interdisciplinary Performance—Dance)
The Grant Wood Art Colony seeks to provide a creative home for the next generation of artists and continue Grant Wood’s creative advocacy in the School of Art & Art History and the Division of Performing Arts...