The gallery's favorite potter-neighbors to the north ship some of the best in Canadian functional ceramics across the border for a late summer showcase.

Iowa Artisans Gallery hosts an exhibit of paintings by local gallery artist Suzanne Aunan, her mother Ellen Bowen, and her grandmother, Johanna Berger. Aunan describes her art as a “hobby gone wild.” She is known for her detailed scenes of the life around her as well as iconic landscapes of Iowa City. Her love of detail results in paintings that resemble jigsaw puzzles in their complexity and take up to six months to complete. The Gallery sells limited edition lithographic prints of Aunan's original paintings; however this exhibit includes some of her original paintings as well.

Aunan’s maternal grandmother, Johanna Berger, came to the US from Germany in 1926. She was artistic and enjoyed sewing, embroidery, and painting. Aunan recalls, “I remember her visiting us on the dairy farm in NY when I was quite young, and she would paint Tyrolian-style cottages with hollyhocks and beautiful flowers. I was astonished by what she created on scraps of brown paper bags.”

Aunan describes her mother Ellen Bowen as the only "trained" artist in the family, having taken art classes at Brooklyn’s well-known Pratt Institute after high school, as well as other classes in later life. Aunan says that as a child, she took art classes at Yard School of Art and the Montclair Museum of Art in NJ. “I was hooked. Encouraged by my mother, I kept painting as she fed me ‘real’ art supplies, and I continued to paint for fun during breaks from school or work.” Aunan started a home-based business in 1983, painting hearts and furniture for art fairs. The Last Ride In, created in 2000, was Aunan’s first limited edition print; 2010 marks her 10th Anniversary creating limited edition prints.

The Iowa State Fair is her current project. Begun in August 2010, she hopes to complete it by May 2011. Aunan says, “My family has always given me encouragement and feedback on my work. After a painting is completed, and family comments and critiques have been made, friends are asked to comment and examine paintings for feedback. I call this ‘the public comment period.’ “ She credits her husband Tom with being her “utmost supporter” and business manager through the years.

Iowa Artisans Gallery is open daily: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 10am - 6pm. Thursday's "Downtown Shopping Night" 10am - 7pm. Saturday 10am - 5:30pm. Sunday 12 - 4pm.
 

Explore wire techniques incorporating attractive beading components. Solid instruction on the use of jewelry tools will assist you in making three pairs of earrings. You will receive encouragement in discovering simple yet elegant earring designs. No previous experience necessary. Instructor: Mallory Zapf or Niki Frese.  Class fee of $54 includes all instruction and materials.

For those also taking the Basic Stringing class that same day, pay the discounted class fee of $100 for both classes.

Register in person, over the phone, or on-line. at www.beadologyiowa.com

Explore wire techniques incorporating attractive beading components. Solid instruction on the use of jewelry tools will assist you in making three pairs of earrings. You will receive encouragement in discovering simple yet elegant earring designs. No previous experience necessary. Instructor: Karen Kubby.  Class fee of $55 includes all instruction and materials.

Registration is only through Kirkwood Community College via http://kirkwood.augusoft.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=1070 and look for Beadology Iowa under the instructor search.
 

Celebrate Autumn with a Gallery Walk at 18 locations in beautiful downtown Iowa City. Gallery Walk is self-guided and features food and camaraderie. Make it an evening- check out one of downtown's fine restaurants. Maps are available at each location.

30 potters send 5 pots each for a fun and diverse holiday show. Past themes have included new potters, architecturally-inspired pots, and legacy shows celebrating master ceramists.