Monday, April 25, 2016

See “Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel” at the McHaffey Opera House


As part of the American Gothic House Center’s Grant Wood 125th anniversary celebration, the museum is pleased to present Tom Milligan in a performance of “Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel”. The program will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at the McHaffey Opera House.
In this 45-minute, one-man show, Grant Wood chats with the audience as if talking to an old friend across the backyard fence, or at his home at Five Turner Alley in Cedar Rapids. He shares the story of how he took the moments, the memories, and the people of Iowa, and showed the whole world its specialness. After the presentation, the audience is encouraged to ask questions of the actor about Grant Wood and his life.
The event is free and open to the public. Funding for this presentation is provided by Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historic programs and grants to Iowa’s communities. Persons with disabilities who require special assistance to attend this event are asked to contact the American Gothic House Center in advance at 641-652-3352.

The Center will also have a special unveiling of a new permanent art piece on Monday, May 2 at 5 p.m. Overalls All Over is a project containing 24 life-sized fiberglass statues depicting the farmer and daughter from American Gothic. Iowa artists created unique designs for each statue. The Center’s piece, Through the Eyes of Grant Wood was designed by Ottumwa artist Chris Abigt and painted by her and Joshua Langgin. The statue highlights pieces from twenty other paintings and lithographs by Grant Wood to intrigue visitors to look deeper into the many accomplished works Grant Wood created during his lifetime.
A reminder this is also your last weekend to see our current exhibit, The American Scene: Prints from the 1930s and 1940s!