Ambassadors visited with Grinnell Area Arts Council director Monica St Angelo and wheat paste mural artist Isaac Campbell to learn more about the Grinnell Connections Wheat Paste Mural project that was completed earlier this fall.
The idea of a public art installation first came about as Monica was working with Monique Shore on an exhibit using photos from the Poweshiek History Preservation Project from Drake Community Library. They wanted to more broadly share some of the material in the online archives with the community. Isaac’s name came up after he completed a project in Coralville. Monica invited him to town in 2023 to explore the community and consider how to make the project come together.
After securing funding from The Iowa Arts Council, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Grinnell College, City of Grinnell, Friends of Drake Community Library, and Grin Cupola, the Grinnell Area Arts Council was able to enter a partnership with Drake Community Library and building owners in Grinnell to paste 10 images across the community. Isaac and Monica led a team of community volunteers in pasting the images in advance of the Renfrow Hall dedication. Isaac also spent time with Grinnell High School - GNCSD and Davis Elementary students in addition to leading a Bucket Course session and working with Studio 6 students.
Each mural has an adjoining description and QR code that tells the story behind the photograph. The murals typically last 3-6 months before they need to be removed. Isaac said that the dry spell we had following the installation was helpful and hopes they last longer. Monica is hopeful this project will inspire the community to further invest in public art and is excited about what the next iterations of that could look like.
If you’re interested in learning more about Isaac and this project, he’ll be doing a special encore Bucket Course presentation on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 PM at the library. You can find a map of all the large murals on the Arts Council website or pick up a printed copy in the Arts Council or Chamber offices.
Bonus: Isaac pasted 7 Cornelia Clarke cats around town. Have you found them all?
Pictured L-R: Rachel Arseneault - Ramsey-Weeks Inc. Real Estate, Trent Arment - MCG - Mahaska Communication Group, Sarah Smith - Grinnell College, Jennifer McAlexander - JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security, Jess Dawson - REMAX Partners Realty- Grinnell, Stephanie Lair - UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Shane Hart - Grinnell College Golf Course, Monica St Angelo - Grinnell Area Arts Council, Isaac Campbell - artist, Rachael Kinnick - Grinnell Chamber, Marissa Ylagan - Grinnell Chamber, Kyle Stock - Brown's Shoe Fit Grinnell, Joni Schmidt - The Mayflower Community, Donnette Ellis - Grinnell College Community Connections
Not pictured: Jeff Finch - Wes Finch Auto Plaza
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