A Grand Gathering Artist List
A GRAND GATHERING
February 21 – March 28, 2025
Interested in purchasing artwork? Please visit the east office (by the food table) and a volunteer will be ready to assist you. Payment options: cash, check, credit card or PayPal. Interested in purchasing after the opening, contact Amber Danielson, 641-752-ARTS (2787) or director@artsandculturealliance.org.
The artist list starts at the nook on the north wall (NFS = NOT FOR SALE)
1. Troy Cannon | Morning Scout | $500
Troy has lived and grown up for most of his life in Iowa. Over the years he has experimented with various types of media, styles and techniques to build a foundation of artistic skill to express what he is passionate about. He tries his best to showcase the beauty and nature of wild and domestic animals. He hopes to spark something within people to realize the effect we have on them and their world – that their presence and elegance deserve to be acknowledged and preserved.
2. Joshua Cox | A place (and all the phenomena contained within) | NFS
Joshua Cox has been a practicing artist and arts programmer for the past 20 years. He explores themes of memory and remembering through models and maps of his childhood and life experiences. The act of recollection and reconstruction helps give him perspective and insight into his daily life and habits.
3. Loren Chantland | Yellow Rose | $150 (PRINT ONLY)
I have been making art all my life. I think of my art as an attempt to create something beautiful or meaningful. I would hope my art says something subtly that can’t be said adequately with words. Or else at least to bring a smile.
4. Will Hildebrandt | Aspens | $200
Landscape and the medium of pastel have been two of my main methods of expression. Both have been used by artists for centuries. By focusing on small parts of nature, I try to capture the beauty that may have been overlooked in the big picture.
5. Dawn Gettler | The Remains | NFS
Dawn Gettler, a Marshalltown native, has exhibited her prints and sculptural installations across the nation for the past two decades. Her work questions complacency in communication and longing for contentment. The leftovers from a different life feel like relics from a dream. These are the parts of something that can never be made whole. This is how the work exists. This is how I remember it now, fractured remains, pieces of something bigger, a romanticized destruction.
6. Lisa Cantrell | Macy’s | NFS
For 27 years I have worked as a practicing portrait artist. While originally from Alabama, I have been working in Marshalltown since 2023. My art is meant to capture moments and people that should never be forgotten. “Macy’s” is no exception, capturing one of my husband’s earliest achievements in music.
7. Nancy Adams | Evolution | NFS
I’m many things/people; all of whom celebrate irony. Relevant to this exhibit, I’m an assemblage artist; keen on re-configuring found objects or those deemed obsolete, as I abhor wasting resources. I enjoy using such items to convey contemporary issues and/or personal narratives.
8. Naima Alejandre | Untitled | NFS
I primarily grab my inspiration from Japanese and Korean pottery, more specifically the style of moon jars, capturing the rotund shape in many of my pots. I love to experiment with a variety of shapes on the wheel, throwing tall and wide with stoneware clay while also focusing on the functionality of my pots. The entire process of creating pottery fascinates me, from the moment I’m wedging to the time I’m glazing, I love having the creative freedom and ability to integrate different styles into my art.
9. Julie Bossum | Raku Handbuilt Vase with Coils I | $75
“Raku Handbuilt Vase with Coils I” is a slab piece covered with coils that were added with a process that I perfected. While the piece is sturdy, it is excellent for decorative use in corners and as a floor pot, with or without foliage. The patina was created with a raku process where the glazed ceramic piece was pulled red hot from the kiln and placed in an air-tight container with combustible materials to produce the dramatic coloring present.
10. John Mueller | Untitled | $150
As a ceramic artist I am a maker of one-of-a-kind pottery. Whether pottery is glazed or raku my goal is to bring a touch of artistry in the home. Studies have shown that observing aesthetically pleasing things can indirectly promote health and well-being.
11. Robert Moore | Fibonacci I | NFS
For several years it has been my honor to be involved with the Central Iowa Art Association. As such I have assisted many very talented artists. I’ve also dabbled a bit myself with watercolor, acrylic, drawing, assemblage, and stained glass. This piece expresses my love for working with stained glass and for the fascination with the “golden circle”
12. Steve Sodders | Knarl | $125
This piece is a Red Elm Burl plucked from a fire pit. Turned on Laguna lathe. woodworking and painting hobbyist.
13. Kirk Niehouse | Untitled | $250
Pottery has been a passion for me since junior high art classes with Gary Stattler. I currently create ceramic pieces that are glaze fired with the Japanese process of Raku and with Native American Horse Hair Raku. This piece has been Raku fired using leaves in a trashcan to create a reduction atmosphere which created the beautiful red copper colors on this pot.
14. Ann Bresler | Spring in the Valley | $125
A self-taught artist inspired by the challenge of replicating the beauty of nature in needle bead weaving and lapidary wire work. There’s fulfillment in creating one-of-a-kind, handmade, intricate pieces in needle bead weaving using a variety of stitches to create complex patterns & textures. Beads and stones will always continue to provide spirituality, memories of past times & ages.
15. Osmar Castrom | El Alebrije | NFS
I make stoneware ceramics at Marshalltown High School with Kirk Niehouse as my instructor. I have always worked on the kick-wheel furthering my techniques in throwing off the hump, experimenting with texture on the wheel, and building sculptures as well. I have always been fascinated with pre-Hispanics/Mexican folk pottery, imitating techniques of burnishing, sculpture and design. By creating pieces like this I have a chance to connect with my heritage, exploring past traditions and modern art movements in Mexico.
16. Miguel Sanchez | Self Reflection | NFS
Self-Reflection marks my return to art after a long hiatus. As a Graphic Design major from UNI, I’ve been a lifelong artist since my youth, but career demands led me away from personal creative pursuits. The process of creating ‘Self Reflection’ has re-sparked my passion for art, allowing me to reflect on this particular period of my life and reconnect with a fundamental part of myself.
17. Kelly Schwartz | Face Value | NFS
Kelly Schwartz is a long time Marshalltown resident and self-taught artist specializing in detailed ink drawings. She enjoys challenging norms and pushing boundaries with her art and hopes to explore unconventional mixed media and 3D work in the future. She would say her drawings create themselves; they are spontaneous and conceived moment by moment with each pen mark, often ending in a surprise even to herself.
18. Anne Wahl | The Watcher | NFS
In my piece “The Watcher,” I explore themes of observation and reflection through the unique medium of acrylic paint on a mirror. Drawing inspiration from the oil paintings of the 1800s, I juxtapose traditional techniques with contemporary materials to evoke a sense of timelessness and introspection. This work invites viewers to confront their own reflections, prompting a dialogue between art and self-awareness. By blending historical influences with modern expression, I aim to create a multi-dimensional experience that resonates on both personal and collective levels.
19. Jordan Denato | Leslee | $50
Jordan Denato is a self-taught artist, who has been drawing since middle school. He works with pen & ink, watercolor, oil and acrylics.
20. Benny Fernandez | Whitney | NFS
I have always enjoyed painting since elementary school. Because of my horoscope, Aries, I am very creative in many ways; my art, home, music and more. I appreciate and am inspired by the support and positive feedback the community has provided me over the years.
21. Janet Collison | Springtime Aspen | NFS
Janet Collison, a harpist and fiber artist, has been weaving original designs on her 6 looms since 2019. This piece, entitled “Springtime Aspen” was inspired by the white trunks with black crevices of the stately aspen, the tiny patterns and brilliant greens of the new aspen leaves, and the dark rich greens of neighboring ponderosa pines in Rocky Mountain National Park, a main stomping ground for John and Janet. This weave design is called Overshot and every piece of string is recycled from a second-hand craft shop, a regular stop on the way to the National Park.
22. Vicki Meyer | Reclamation | $450
My mixed media designs incorporate a wide variety of things and materials, from the ordinary to obscure, which I am inspired to use in a piece of art. I enjoy creating pieces that might evoke nostalgia, surprise the viewer or give them a connection to a shared memory. Some of my favorite materials include textured papers, rusted metal, maps, vintage books and other printed matter, recycling, found objects and corrugated cardboard. Mediums typically used include charcoal, acrylic, watercolor and inktense.
23. Wade Judge | Solitude | $100
Born in Marshalltown, and attended MCC for my AA, then off to UNI for my bachelor’s with an emphasis in photography. Ended up teaching down in Yuma Arizona for 7 years before returning back to Marshalltown where I currently teach at the high school here in town
24. Jennifer Castle | Current | $50
I have been enjoying experimenting, trying different techniques. Just following along wherever the work wants to go. Adding different types of materials to the canvas provides more opportunities for interesting things to happen. That’s where the real fun in art is—seeing what happens.
25. Julie Miller | Bright New Day | NFS
To create with no expectation is to dance like no one is watching – freeing and joyful!
26. Nicholas Beard | Epiphany IV: The Eye of the Shepherd | $500
The foundation of this piece was formed with paint my students didn’t need. The color scheme was entirely based on the colors they didn’t use. I have taught art to students from kindergarten to 8th grade for the past 20 years in the Marshalltown area. Time spent with my wife and daughter, whether it’s traveling or couch lounging, is my sanctuary. I also find joy in nature and performing music with friends.
27. Molly Frese | Untitled (Poppy Field) | $250
Molly Frese is a multidisciplinary artist based in Marshalltown, Iowa. Through her art practice, Molly explores themes such as mortality and grief, personal identity, and experiences in childhood. Her work frequently depicts plant life set against contrasting patterns or industrial imagery.
28. Sarah Gilbert | Beauty of Chaos | $220
Local artist Sarah Gilbert has been creating art in many mediums for over three decades. Her work has been featured in several exhibits, both solo and with other artists, through the Central Iowa Art Association. Gilbert prefers the use of darker colors, typically with ink, charcoal, watercolor and acrylic paints.
29. Audrey Rousch | It is Not Good for Man to be Alone | $250
My art strives to capture the beauty of intimate, emotional moments often lost in the big picture. Using pencil, I emphasize contrast and shape, allowing the lines to pull the viewer into quiet, meaningful connections. Through simplicity and depth, my work highlights the fleeting, human experiences that might otherwise go unnoticed.
30. Kim Hanken | SOS in Peril | NFS
My work is about loving the Earth. It’s mostly about standing still and learning to be astonished, then allowing the gifts of nature to guide the process.
31. Tim Castle | The Dream That Went Astray | $90
This work evokes the dream realm. It’s from a larger series that intuitively explores our poetic
and animal natures and often references the history of art which I cherish. The sensual and the mysterious, the ambiguous, and the supernatural are recurring themes that have always been a constant in my thinking, musing and making.
32. Sierra Wind Oldbear | Meskwaki Bead Purse | $500
My name is Sierra OldBear and I am a member of the Meskwaki Nation. This type of beadwork is sometimes used for women’s dances, mainly used by traditional style women dancers in applique’ or jingle dress style dancers. When we create beadwork, like so, each bead represents a good thought, a good memory or a happy story. The bear represents my grandfather, who I think of very often.
33. Larry Holden | Windmill at Sunset | $85 (notecards $3/ea or $30 for 12)
I have always had a passion for nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. Brilliant sunrises and sunsets lure me like a moth to a flame! I try to capture this beauty in my art and photography so that I may share with others who are similarly affected by nature’s wonders.
34. Kristin Peterson | On the Range | $400
I am a Marshalltown native and local artist who primarily paints abstract landscapes with water-based media. I studied art at Marshalltown Community College and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago when I obtained a Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing. My work is inspired by the horizon and how it’s continuously evolving much like humanity.
35. Amber Cannon |Sunshine Boy | NFS
I am a writer and an artist who has lived in Iowa most of my life. My passions involve writing and creating, spending time with my husband and animal family, and spending time in nature. I write and create from the heart so everything I put out is made to convey an emotion. This painting is a representation of that as it’s of my first dog Pierre who I had for 15 years.
36. Austin Chadderdon | Una Luz Americana | $325
Austin Chadderdon is Marshalltown photographer and filmmaker. He is the owner of Soul or System Photography with a local photography studio. Chadderdon studied cinema & comparative literature as well as Journalism at the University of Iowa
37. Jack Tomkins | A Cold Winters Night | $300
I am a local Vietnam war era artist who likes to draw. I grew up in Tama, Iowa but now live in Marshalltown where I have worked for the city here for 36 years.
38. Hallie Crouse | Owl 2 | $100
My personal focus in the most recent months has been Iowa wildlife. I have been very focused on the Iowa owl population.
39. Melissa Sharer | Linn Creek Arts Festival | NFS
Melissa created this piece during the 2017 Linn Creek Arts Festival at the Marshalltown Arts Civic Center.