2009 American Gothic House Art Contest

Eldon—American Gothic House Center and Gothic Area Tourism of Eldon (GATE) join in sponsoring the fourth annual American Gothic House Art Contest during the 2009 American Gothic Days, June 12-14.

The art contest celebrates the American Gothic House used as the background in Grant Wood’s most famous painting American Gothic. Entries must include the American Gothic House in their work. The contest serves to promote greater awareness of the beauty of the little white board and batten house with its gothic window.

Submitted works will be returned. Minimum size is 8” x 10”—no maximum size. Contest is open to artists in the following five divisions:

• Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
• Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
• Adult Amateur
• Adult Professional

Prize money in the amount of $40 for 1st place and $20 for 2nd place will be awarded for each division, for a total of $300 in prize money—the same amount awarded to Grant Wood when he won third place for American Gothic at the art show at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Judging will take place Friday evening, with the exhibition planned for Saturday, June 13 from 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday, June 14 from 1 to 4 pm at the American Gothic House Center in Eldon, Iowa.

Official entry forms are due by May 15. Artwork must be delivered by June 1. For entry forms, complete rules and further information, contact Jessica Strom; 300 American Gothic St; Eldon, IA 52554; 641-652-3352; aghc@iowatelecom.net.

GATE is a nonprofit community betterment organization and no entry fee will be sought from submissions or participants.

• Who: Gothic Area Tourism of Eldon; American Gothic House Center
• What: 2009 American Gothic House Art Contest
• When: June 12-14 during the 2009 Eldon American Gothic Days
• Where: American Gothic House Center; 300 American Gothic St; Eldon, IA 52554
• Contact: Jessica Strom, 641-652-3352, aghc@iowatelecom.net

Gothic May Brunch

Eldon—The American Gothic House Center is hosting its fourth annual American Gothic May Brunch Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Eldon KD Center.

This year’s entertainment is performer Beverly Graves from Pella, Iowa who will keep you smiling with her quick wit and humor. So after the meal, sit back and be ready to laugh while enjoying the “Many Faces of Beverly Graves.”

Come one, come all and come hungry! The menu includes Spinach Quiche, Dream Coffee Cake and a serving of fresh fruit served with Coffee and Ice Tea. Seating is limited, so advance reservations are requested! Tickets are available at the American Gothic House Center and are $6.00 per person.

• Who: American Gothic House Center
• What: American Gothic May Brunch
• When: Saturday, May 2, 10:00 – 11:30 am
• Where: KD Center; 300 KD Ave; Eldon, IA 52554
• Contact: Jessica Strom, 641-652-3352, aghc@iowatelecom.net

"Grant Wood and Frank Lloyd Wright: Little Houses on the Prairie" lecture by Roy Behrens

Eldon— The American Gothic House Center received funding from Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, to host a free lecture on Grant Wood and Frank Lloyd Wright: Little Houses on the Prairie by Roy Behrens at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 23 at the Eldon Library Hall.

Grant Wood and Frank Lloyd Wright had similar influences: Japanese-inspired aesthetic principles, the Arts and Crafts Movement and Gothic Revival architecture. During this slide-illustrated, 45-minute talk, participants are invited to explore the parallels between the works of Wood and Wright, and how artists express human values, whatever the medium.

Roy R. Behrens is a professor of Art at the University of Northern Iowa, he teaches graphic design and design history. He is an editor and writer for periodicals and books and his writings have been featured on Nova (PBS), Equinox (BBC), Living in Iowa (IPTV) and BBC Radio. His most recent book is False Colors: Art, Design and Modern Camouflage (2002).

A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowa’s communities.

• Who: American Gothic House Center
• What: “Grant Wood and Frank Lloyd Wright: Little Houses on the Prairie” lecture by Roy Behrens
• When: Thursday, April 23 at 6:00 pm
• Where: Eldon Library Hall
• Contact: Jessica Strom, 641-652-3352, aghc@iowatelecom.net