Want to soak up arts and culture in a beautifully designed building surrounded by neighborhood murals? The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has free admission through August, which makes it even easier to enjoy the art. “The breadth of work on display in both our temporary and permanent exhibitions ensures that we have something to interest any visitor this summer,” says Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Julia Jessen.
In addition to the CRMA’s fabulous ongoing exhibitions—and the rotating exhibition Barn Storm: Picturing a Midwestern Icon—there are three enticing new exhibitions to admire in air conditioned splendor. Elemental: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, on view through March 14, 2027, features works from the permanent collection that visually explore the four elements. With fascinating box assemblages, Out of the Box: The Art of Peter Stamats and Bill Stamats runs through August 30, 2026. And to honor our nation’s 250th anniversary, Visions of America: The Nation at 250 showcases an assortment of artistic impressions, running through September 13.
“Out of the Box is a wonderful exploration of the box assemblages of a father and son, often using unconventional and inspiring materials,” says Jessen. “Elemental celebrates the elements of earth, water, air, and fire as they appear in the work of accomplished artists from our collection. And, of course, we wanted to put our own spin on a show celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation with Visions of America. The artworks in this exhibition each depict an artist’s vision of America, from nostalgic and reverential to critical and unflinching. Together, they form a multifaceted portrait of a vast and complex country.”
Elemental features wall-mounted work in a wide variety of mediums, capturing the visual flavor and experience of the four elements. Styles range from realistic to impressionistic and abstract, and include work by established masters and exciting new contemporary artists. The elements are displayed across the walls as exuberantly textured paintings of abstract wave forms, impressive mountains rising solidly against the sky, finely detailed leaves swirling in the eddies of a storm wind, and the bright colors of flame caught by the artist’s eye.
Out of the Box features the work of Peter O. Stamats and his son Bill Stamats in conversation with each other. Peter was a well-known Cedar Rapids businessman, lifelong patron of the arts, and prolific collector, but he is less known for his artistic creations. Inspired by the work of Joseph Cornell, he created striking assemblages using found objects, vintage imagery, mirrors, and paint. Peter’s work often feels mysteriously playful—its darker color schemes, repeating figures with mirrored backgrounds, and unsettling nested doll heads create haunting and wonderful windows into other worlds.
His artist son Bill also creates box assemblages using vintage boxes, painted images, found objects, and poetic statements. Bill’s work interweaves imagery and objects from the natural world, including realistic painted birds, sculptural objects, branches, glass baubles, and carefully chosen words to create poignant, enthralling, multi-layered explorations. Placed in juxtaposition, the works of this father and son demonstrate a unique artistic heritage.
Visions of America: The Nation at 250 features visions of America by artists across the years. Drawn from the permanent collection, these works range from folk art and illustrative Americana to bold Pop Art and stunning photography. With work that chronicles, celebrates, and critiques, the exhibition presents a rich and complex portrayal of America’s history, culture, and ideals.
“I always find it hard to choose favorites,” Jessen says, “but the Visions of America exhibition provided a great opportunity to bring together multiple works that don’t often appear at the same time. On one wall, a visitor can encounter an Andy Warhol print, an early American folk portrait, and an Abraham Walkowitz pastel of dancer and choreographer Isadora Duncan. The combination of different works always provides new opportunities for conversation and reflection.”
The CRMA is well worth the visit. Jessen encourages people “to explore the galleries to encounter works by world-renowned artists but also to discover artists who may be new to them.”
The art in these exhibitions shares each artist’s perspective and vision, enriching the viewer’s experience. “Each of the artists on display allows the visitor to see the world through their eyes,” Jessen says. “I hope a visit to our galleries proves to be thought-provoking, exciting, and inspiring.”
For more information, visit CRMA.org.