WEGE GALLERY, Wege Center for the Arts, Maharishi International University, 1000 N. 4th St., Fairfield. Faculty Show. Featuring new work by Jim Shrosbree, Sean Downey, Gyan Shrosbree, Hilary Nelson, Genevra Daley, and Susan Metrican. Through February 17.
WATERLOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 225 Commercial St., Waterloo. (319) 291-4490. Freedom’s Daughters. This cycle of 24 paintings by self-taught Cedar Rapids artist Kathy Schumacher depicts largely unknown Black heroines from the Suffrage to Civil Rights. Through March 19.
GRINNELL COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART, 1108 Park St., Grinnell. (641) 269-4660. Devices, Tools, Objects, and Props. Assistant Professor of Studio Art Jeremy Chen uses humble objects of pathos or humor to invite contemplation on the meanings and uses of things and our complex entanglement with materials. Through April 8. Fragmentary Visions: Grinnell College’s Kelekian Collection. Nanette Rodney Kelekian, granddaughter of famed art dealer Dikran Kelekian, began gifting portions of her grandfather’s collection to Grinnell College in 1984. This exhibition is the most comprehensive display and includes ceramics, manuscripts, and textiles hailing from the Eastern Mediterranean, West Asia, and the greater Islamic world. February 3-May 6. Selections from the Permanent Collection. In 2022, the museum acquired four works by Baghdad-born and now Louisville, Kentucky-based artists Vian Sora, whose work explores the power of natural forces—especially water—as a backdrop for human experiences. Through April 8.
DES MOINES ART CENTER. 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines. (515) 277-4405. 75 Years of Iowa Art. Celebrating the center’s 75th anniversary, this exhibition showcases decades of historical and contemporary art by artists born in Iowa and those who lived in the state at some point. Included among the approximately 100 works are paintings, sculpture, prints, video, photography, and ceramics. February 11-May 7.
STANLEY MUSEUM OF ART, 160 W. Burlington St., Iowa City. (319) 335-1727. Homecoming. See new artworks and old favorites, displayed in fresh ways that transcend genre or geopolitical organization and bring out the synergies between disparate pieces. Through July 2025.
CEDAR RAPIDS MUSEUM OF ART, 410 3rd Ave. S.E., Cedar Rapids. (319) 366-7503. Beyond the Prairie: Midwestern Art from the Collection. Longtime museum favorites share gallery space with contemporary artworks in this changing exhibition showcasing the work of artists inspired by life in Iowa and surrounding states. Ongoing. Byron Burford: Ringmaster. Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Byron Burford was drawn to the University of Iowa by his interest in Grant Wood, with whom he studied. During his career, Burford also traveled around the country playing in circus bands, from which he drew inspiration for some of his works. This two-gallery exhibition will look at circus imagery produced by Burford over his long and productive career. Through October 29, 2023. Chunghi Choo: Visionary. An artist, jewelry maker, and metalsmith from Incheon, South Korea, Chunghi Choo works in a variety of media but her pieces are always vibrant and expressive. She taught jewelry-making at the University of Iowa from 1985 to 2015, and her work has been exhibited worldwide. Through October 8, 2023.
WATERLOO CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 225 Commercial St., Waterloo. (319) 291-4490. Freedom’s Daughters. This cycle of 24 paintings by self-taught Cedar Rapids artist Kathy Schumacher depicts largely unknown Black heroines from the Suffrage to Civil Rights. Through March 19.
ICON GALLERY, 58 N. Main St., Fairfield (641) 469-6252. Icon-art.org. Tantra: Ancient and Modern. A series of large diptychs and triptychs by David Hanson juxtapose photos of ancient Tantra sites in India and Nepal with Tantra paintings from his personal collection. Art Supplies Flea Market. Paints, brushes, canvases, frames, books, and more. February 3-5.
FIGGE ART MUSEUM, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport.(563) 345-6632. Decolonial Intervention. Mexican/Latinx multidisciplinary artist Tlisza Jaurique uses her indigenous upbringing and aesthetics to reexamine the Figge’s Spanish Vice Regal collection. Through July 9, 2023. The Warner Foundation Collection: History in the Painting. From still-lifes to landscapes, these paintings explore ideas surrounding national pride, agricultural growth, and westward expansion. Includes works by Thomas Cole, Severin Rosesen, Albert Bierstadt. Through April 30.
FAIRFIELD ART ASSOCIATION GALLERY, 200 N. Main St., FACC, Fairfield. Open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Membership Art Show. Artists from throughout the region exhibit work in all media, from painting and photography to fiber arts and pottery. Through February 28.
MUSCATINE ART CENTER, 1314 Mulberry Ave., Muscatine. (563) 263-8282. Elephant and Piggie in WE ARE ART! Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie characters have joined the pantheon of beloved children’s literary figures. This exhibition features Willems’s original drawings from all 25 books. Through February 5, 2023.
CATICH GALLERY, Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport. 563-333-6444. Winter, Walk with Me (and Other Stories). Recent paintings by Basia Krol. Through March 3. Work Ethic: Women In Rural Iowa. Works by Kristine Heykants. Through March 3. Faculty Spotlight: Kristin Quinn & Renee Meyer Ernst. March 13-April 14.
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HOYT-SHERMAN THEATRE, 1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines. (515) 244-0507. Notable artworks in Hoyt-Sherman’s collection are on view.
TAAG GALLERY, 1041 Arthur St., Iowa City. (319) 855-4755.
DUBUQUE MUSEUM OF ART, 701 Locust St., Dubuque. (563) 557-1851. DBQArt.org.
PUBLIC SPACE ONE, 225–229 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. PublicSpaceOne.com.
OLSON LARSON GALLERIES, 203 5th St, West Des Moines. (515)-277-6734.
ART CENTER OF BURLINGTON, 301 Jefferson St., Burlington. (319) 754-8069.
MARVIN CONE GALLERY. Coe College, 1220 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids. (319) 399-8500.
CSPS, 1103 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids. (319) 364-1530.
JANALYN HANSON WHITE GALLERY. Mount Mercy University, 1330 Elmhurst Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA. (319) 363-8213.
AMERICUS DIAMOND, corner of Main St. and Burlington, Fairfield. Featuring the artwork of Christopher Kufner.
CATICH GALLERY, Galvin Fine Arts Center, St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport. 563-333-6444.
ANOMALY GALLERY, 105 N. Court, Ottumwa. (641) 777-8446.
FORT MADISON ART CENTER, 1314 Mulberry Ave. (319) 372-8780.
INDIAN HILLS ART GALLERY, Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa. (641) 683-5144.
OCTAGON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 427 Douglas Ave., Ames. (515) 232-5331.
AMANA ARTS GUILD. 1 block north of Highway 220, High Amana. (319) 622-3678.
SIOUX CITY ART CENTER, 225 Nebraska St., Sioux City. (712) 279-6272. Grant Wood’s Corn Room Mural. The Corn Room mural was one of four murals commissioned by Omaha businessman Eugene Eppley for his hotels in Council Bluffs, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Sioux City. Originally part of the historical Martin Hotel, the Corn Room was created by Grant Wood in 1927, then lost for decades under paint and old wallpaper, only to be rediscovered in 1979. Ongoing.