ART ON THE PRAIRIE 15TH ANNUAL
celebrating art, music, literature, and the joys of small town living all wrapped up in a two day event in Historic Downtown Perry, IA.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 8 & 9, 2025
10AM-5PM | 10AM-4PM
Security Bank Building
Hotel Pattee
Betsy Peterson Designs
Common Wealth Provisions
Studio on Second
La Poste
Myrtle Building
Carnegie Library Museum
Perry Public Library
Welcome to Art on the Prairie in Perry!
More than a Festival in Perry, Iowa:
A Rebirth of Culture through the Arts in a Small Town set on the Prairie
Withitshistoricdowntownattheheartofthecommunity,Perrycontinuestoexperience arenewedvibrancywiththegrowthofitsshoppinganddiningdestinations,recreational opportunities,andartsandculturalattractions Fromannualpop-upeventstopermanent artinstallations,theimpactofArtonthePrairiecanbeseenandfeltthroughouttheyear.
Thankyouforcelebrating15yearsofArtonthePrairie!
48+ Visual Artists
Featured Artists
Pam Dennis & Ryk Weiss
Sarah Bierstedt
Sara Burrier
Nancy Carlson
Art Ciccotti
Larry Cook
Nash Cox
Maggie Douglas
Jeff Easley
Breanna Engelhardt
Heather English
36+ Musicians
Bryan Baker
Shannon & Cindi Bryan
John Burns
Emery Case
Ruby Case
Joel DuVall
Tim Earp
Tina & Brandon Findlay
14+ Poets
Marilyn Baszczynski
Kelsey Bigelow
Pat Boddy
Amber Cannon
Joani Feiner
Gary Hoard
Evan & Summer Hoyt
Shari Janssen
Lisa Jontz
Sara Krause
Annie Laursen
Jen Lawler
Leslie Leavenworth
Sara Letsch
Bruce W Litterer
Michael Lundberg
Susan Mohr
Sergiy Nagorny
Mary Nelson
Kristy Niemeyer
Louise O’Donnell
Betsy Peterson
Eric Peterson
DeAnn Puente
Connie Rodgers
Ruben Ruiz
Sarah Schroeder
Rhonda Scott
Mika Sorak-Weirbach
Joshua Steele
Barb Thompson
Diane Tough
Andy Fleming
Friday Night Pickers
Jennifer Garman
Tyler Gathercoal
Joe Gittins
Reggie Greenlaw
Lincoln Grimes
Isaiah Hartog
Janet Carl
Suzanna de Baca
Diane Glass
Vince Gotera
Steffen Heins
Laura Helm
Marilyn Jerome
Dan Jones
Dennis Kain
Randy McCaulley
Laura McCord
Kyle Pape
Renee Moenk-Corkery
Sabur “C?ue” Muhammad
Luke Scott Stringer
Dawn Terpstra
Kate Trimble
Betty Chamness Trost
Mark True
Rick von Holdt
Caroline Warren
Jess Wisdom & Jesse Richardson
Jill Woodward
Mark Yontz
Robert Zeidler
LOCAL ARTISTS & Student Exhibit
Asher Palagummi
Steve & Sean Parnell
Mia Prosperi
Pullin’ Strings
Sara Routh
Rural Acoustic
Cooperative
Joel Wernimont
Daniel Umemezie
David Williamson
PLUS: Lyrical Iowa
Winning Poets
Festival Venues & Activities
Saturday,November8th
10am-5pm VisualArtistBooths&AcousticMusic
@AllFestivalVenues
10am-5pm StudentArtExhibit&LocalArtistBooths
@PerryPublicLibrary
10am-4:30pm PoetryonthePrairie
Readings&Workshops
@PerryPublicLibrary
6:00pm 2025People’sChoiceAward
RecipientAnnounced@ArtistReception
Sunday,November9th
10am-4pm VisualArtistBooths&AcousticMusic
@AllFestivalVenues
10am-4pm StudentArtExhibit&LocalArtistBooths
@PerryPublicLibrary
10:30am-4:30pm PoetryonthePrairie
Readings,Workshops&PoetrySlam
@PerryPublicLibrary
1:00pm “IwoJimaFlagRaising”MuralDedication@12211 Avest
PLUS: ExtendedHours&HolidayOpenHouses
@AreaBusinesses
Perry Public Library
La Poste
Myrtle Building
Common Wealth Provisions
Studio on Second Hotel Pattee
Security Bank Building
Carnegie Library Museum
Peterson Designs
Featured Festival Activities - 1221 1st Ave
IwoJimaFlagRaisingMuralDedication Sunday,November9 at1pm th
Tocommemoratethe250thbirthdayoftheUnitedStatesMarine Corps(1775–2025)andhonorthelegacyofallveterans,VFW FloydFosterPost2060hasleadacommunitymuralproject depictingtheiconicflagraisingatIwoJimaduringWorldWarII Themural,paintedbyIowaartistShawnPalek,willserveasa lastingpublictributetothehonor,courageandcommitmentof theU S MarineCorpsandallwhohavewornthenation’suniform
LocatedneartheRaccoonRiverValleyTrailheadatCaboosePark, themuraliswithinwalkingdistanceofdowntownPerry Creating anintersectionofart,history,andcommunitypride,aMural Dedicationwilltakeplaceduringthefestivalat12211 Aveon Sunday,November9that1pmCommunitymembers, st veterans,andvisitorsareencouragedtoattendandcelebrate thismeaningfulmilestoneinMarineCorpsandAmericanhistory Tobringthatspirittolife,themuralwillfeaturearealAmerican flagmountedaboveit,raisedforthefirsttimeduringthe dedicationceremony
tispersonal,”saidEddieDiaz,oneoftheorganizers serviceMarine “TheflagraisingatIwoJimacaptures teamwork,sacrifice,andcourage Aswecelebrate birthdayoftheMarineCorpsacrossthecountry,this mindfuturegenerationsthatfreedomcomesata ,andit’sourdutytohonorthosewhopaiditbynot efreedomsforgranted.”
er,JuniorViceCommanderandPost2060Commander, dthecommunity’sroleintheeffort “Thismural morethanhistory;it'sawayforPerrytosay‘thank yveteranandservicemember We’reproud tneredwithseveralorganizations-includingArton andindividualstohelpbringthisvisiontolifeinthe rry ”
andcommunityorganizerJennyEklundadded,“Arthas otellstoriesthatwordscan’t.Thismuralblendsart withremembrance,connectingPerry’screativecommunitywith thosewhohaveserved ”ArtistShawnPaleksharedthatcreating thepiecewasbothanhonorandaresponsibility.“TheIwoJima imageisoneofthemostpowerfulandrecognizablemomentsin U S history,”Paleksaid “Mygoalwastocapturenotjustthe imageitself,buttheemotionandgritofservicemembers.”
Perry’s art scene continues to grow each year with new public art installations and special activities during annual art events, like Art on the Prairie!
Matt Bramer -VFW Post 2060, Dick Cone - USMCVeteran, Eddie Diaz - USMCVeteran, Shawn Palek - Artist
Perry Public Library - 1101 Willis Ave
PoetryonthePrairie
TheIowaPoetryAssociation,PoetryPalooza,andBeaverdaleBooksareproudtoonceagain bepartofArtonthePrairie.Poetryhasalwaysbeenapartofthefestival,butwiththesekey partners,ithasbecomeafestivalwithinafestival,andnowinanewlocation!
ActivitiesincludepoetryreadingsbysomeofIowa’sleadingpoets,poetryslamandopenmic opportunitiesforpoetrylovers,andworkshopsforpoets.
AllactivitiestakeplaceatthePerryPublicLibraryCommunityRoomandarefreeandopentothepublic.
Saturday,November8th
10:00am-10:30am|CoffeeNetworking
10:30am-11:30am|PoetsintheWildWorkshopwithPatBoddy&DianeGlass
11:30am-1:00pm|LunchBreak
1:00pm-2:00pm|PoetryWorkshopwithVinceGotera
2:00pm-3:30pm|FeatureReadings(emceeDawnTerpstra)
AmberCannon
DanielUmemezie
JanetCarl
LukeScottStringer
Renee Moenk-Corkery
Sabur “C?ue” Muhammad
Suzanna de Baca
Vince Gotera
3:30pm-4:30pm|OpenMic(hostedandmusicby"Pullin'Strings"--DavidWilliamson&PatBoddy)
Sunday,November9th
10:30am-11:00am|CoffeeNetworking
11:00am-12:30pm|LyricalIowaWinningPoetsReadings(emceeMarilynBaszczynski)
12:30pm-2:00pm|LunchBreak
2:00pm-3:00pm|SpokenWordWorkshopwithKelseyBigelow
3:00pm-4:30pm|PoetrySlam&OpenMic(emceeKelseyBigelow)
NOTE:
Featured Artists in The Cellar at La Poste
LiveMusicatthisVenue(Downstairs)
Saturday
10amTina&BrandonFindlay
12pmFridayNightPickers
2pmShannon&CindiBryan
3:30pmSaraRouth
Sunday
10amSteffenHeins
12pmRuralAcousticCooperative
2pmMarilylnJerome
Pam Dennis & Ryk Weiss
began decades ago
building willow furniture and baskets, their folk art evolving over time from functional to fine art wall pieces combining willow, pit-fired or raku clay, and copper. Their 25+ year career of fine art shows and teaching has also included creating large commissioned installations for the past 15 years Find their work at places like Reiman Gardens, Jester Park, and Boone County Hospital
A Balance of Two Paths
Through both the making of individual artworks, and the interaction with the public through teaching and collaborative works, Pam and Ryk hope to evoke a higher awareness of the rich diversity of nature through the sculptural stories we all tell, celebrating the life of the Midwest. Their large installations often incorporate individual components created by community participants, contributing to something outside themselves while also making a personal connection to the artwork resulting in a strong sense of ownership and pride.
Check out the collaborative installation on 3rd Street near the parking lot of La Poste, created by Pam & Ryk with components made by festival-goers in 2014!
La Poste - 1219 Warford Street
Visual Artists at this Venue in the Upstairs Gallery (left to right from top)
Mika Sorak-Weirbach, Kate Trimble, Sara Burrier, Jennifer Lawler, Sarah Bierstedt, Heather English, and Maggie Douglas LiveMusicatthisVenue(UpstairsinGallery)
Saturday 10amJoeGittins 12pmRubyCase 2pmBryanBaker
Sunday 10amShannon&CindiBryan 12pm LauraHelm 2pm AsherPalagummi
Myrtle Building - 1020/1024 2nd Street
Artists at this Venue
Art on the Prairie has a tradition of “popping up ” in empty buildings and underutilized spaces, making each festival unique with different venues over the years!
Visual
(left to right from top): Nash Cox, Mary Nelson, Kristy Niemeyer, Breanna Engelhardt, DeAnn Puente, and Mark True
Myrtle Building - 1020/1024 2nd Street
Visual Artists at this Venue (left to right from top): Barb Thompson, Joshua Steele, Joani Feiner, Robert Zeidler, and Nancy Carlson LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday 10amJenniferGarman
12pmRuralAcousticCooperative 2pm MarilynJerome&HannahJones
Sunday 10amDanJones 12pmDennisKain 2pmRubyCase
Utilizing what was most recently a law office and now a space in transition, the Myrtle Building is a new addition to the festival - thanks to Rainbow Restoration!
Common Wealth Provisions - 1215 2nd St
LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday
10amTimEarp
12pmSteffenHeins
2pm JoelWernimont
Sunday 10am Joe DuVall
12pm Tyler Gathercoal
2pm Steve & Sean Parnell
Visual Artists at this Venue
(left to right from top):
Louise O’Donnell, Art Ciccotti, and Lisa Jontz
Perry: Culture & Community Thrive Here!
Perry is a resilient community, continuing to change and grow.
This year, we welcome new businesses downtown:
Century Farm Books & Brews
Courtyard Cafe
The Farm Store & Bakery
The Hangout Diner
Misfits & More
TCG Planet
Common Wealth Provisions is a space currently in transition, in partnership with The Proletariat next door, which hosts live music, trivia, and comedy shows!
Visual Artists at this Venue
(left to right from top):
Studio on Second - 1218 2nd Street
Bruce W. Litterer, Caroline Warren, and Betty Chamness Trost LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday 10amIsaiahHartog 12pmDanJones 2pm DennisKain
Sunday 10am-4pmReggieGreenlaw
We are so thankful to community supporters that open their spaces for the weekend, including Studio on Second, a small event venue with simple yet elegant features
Hotel Pattee - 1112 Willis Avenue
Visual Artists at this Venue (from top to bottom):
Gary Hoard, Michael Lundberg, and Susan Mohr (right): Connie Rodgers
In2024,festival-goersselectedConnie RodgersforthePeople'sChoiceAward Astradition,thehonorisrewardedbythe selectedartistchoosingtheirboothspaceat thenextyear'sfestivalFindConnieandher jewelryatHotelPattee
Besuretocastyourvoteforthisyear’s People’sChoiceonSaturday!
Hotel Pattee - 1112 Willis Avenue
Visual Artists at this Venue (left to right from top):
Sarah Schroeder, Mark Yontz, Diane Tough, Evan & Summer Hoyt, Sara Krause, and Jess Wisdom & Jesse Richardson
LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday 10amRandyMcCauley 12pmLauraHelm 2pmEmeryCase 4pmJohnBurns
Sunday 10amDennisKain 12pmJoeGittins 2pmDanJones
Don't miss the dining destination of Pattee Café inside the Hotel Pattee, as well as the new Courtyard Café featuring coffee, a full bar, and fine chocolates!
Security Bank Building - 1102 Willis Ave
LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday
10am-5pmReggieGreenlaw
Sunday
10am-4pmLauraMcCord
Visual Artists at this Venue
(left to right from top):
Rhonda Scott, Jeff Easley and Rick Von Holdt
ArtistDemonstrationsDuringthe FestivalatthisVenueandOthers!
Inadditiontovisitingwithartistsandshopping, besuretotaketimetoenjoyartistdemonstrations duringthefestival:
SecurityBankBuilding: RhondaScott-lampworkglassbeads
BetsyPetersonDesigns: ShariJanssen-floorloomweaving
CarnegieLibraryMuseum: LeslieLeavenworth-painting
SaraLetsch-wire-wrappedjewelry
HotelPattee: DianeTough-painting
Stepping out of Security Bank Building, take note of the sculptures on Willis Avenue - each paying tribute to Perry's historical ties to the railroad, agriculture, industry, and the Arts.
Carnegie Library Museum - 1123 Willis
Visual Artists at this Venue (left to right from top): Jill Woodward, Sara Letsch, Ruben Ruiz, Annie Laursen, Leslie Leavenworth, and Sergiy Nagorny
LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday 10amJohnBurns 12pmKylePape 2pmLincolnGrimes 4pmRubyCase
Sunday 10am TimEarp
12pm AndyFleming 2pm BryanBaker
Still a working library, the collection at the Carnegie Library Museum includes many of its original 1,000 titles as well as special collections that can be checked out by patrons.
Betsy Peterson Designs - 1121 2nd Street
LiveMusicatthisVenue
Saturday
10amMiaProsperi
12pmJoelWernimont
2pmJoelDuVall
Sunday
10amRubyCase
12pmJohnBurns
2pmSteffenHeins
Visual Artists (from top):
Betsy Peterson, Eric Peterson, Shari Janssen, and Larry Cook
SpecialHolidayFeature
AspecialcollectionwillbeondisplayandforsaleatBetsy PetersonDesigns:MargeWedgeMable’sSantaCollection
MargewasanArtEducatoratJohnstonCommunity SchoolsandbusinessownerofFolkArtinValleyJunction for28years ShedevelopedanoriginaldriftwoodSanta,as wellasfollowersthatcollectedthem Eachpieceissigned anddatedonthebottomandmanyarenumberedperyear Sinceherpassingin2011,herfamilyhasbeenplanningto preparetheremainingcollectionofSantas tobeavailableforpurchase
“Thetimehascometosharethesegiftsof loveandpassthemontoyoutotreasure forgenerationstocome ”
--BetsyPeterson,daughter
FindMarge’sDriftwoodSantaCollectionat BetsyPetersonDesignsduringthefestival andthroughthemonthofDecember!
The Art on the Prairie Committee Thanks You!
A look back at when it all began...
Some original Art on the Prairie Committee Members - Mary Rose Nichols, Carolyn Guay, Jenny Eklund, and Jen Heins - are pictured here celebrating at Casa de Oro after the very first festival in 2010
Many others have been a part of the planning committee over the years, dedicating their time and talents to carry on the tradition of celebrating the Arts in Downtown, Perry Thank you!
eFestivalwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthe generoussupportfromthefollowingindividualsandcommunitypartners:
City of Perry
Hotel Pattee
La Poste
MidAmerican Energy
Shannon & Cindi Bryan
Teena Case
Dirk & Carol Cavanaugh
Scott & Christy Coffman
Mark & Karen Einck
Beth Gittins
Brent & Brenda Halling
John & Linda Andorf
Susan Andrews
Beaverdale Books
Judy & Bill Boorn
Kay Bullock
Carol & Fred Eiteman
Finneseth, Dalen, & Powell
Elizabeth Garst
Lori & Bob Gilroy
Scott & Sandy Grubbs
Perry Hospitality Inc.
Perry Public Library
Betsy & Eric Peterson
Raccoon Valley Bank
Todd & Cindy Jafvert
Vicki Lage
Alan & Kathy Lenz
Dan & Emily Leslie
Mary Rose Collective
Robin & Jim McCauley
Mary Rose Nichols
Stephanie Hansen
JoAnn Harmelink
Lois & Lou Hoger
Dar & Kathy Hoskinson
Iowa Poetry Association
Marlene Johnson
Ned & Janice Johnston
Mike & Denise Kealhofer
Shirley & Dick Kiefer
Larry & Pearl Laborde
Mary Laborde
Rainbow Restoration
Dan & Sally Spellman
The Proletariat Anonymous
Lynsi Pasutti
Jan & Pay Pattee
Monica & Alan Peitz
Deborah Repp
Ann Sackett
Julie & Chuck Scheib
Bethany Wicks & Family
Mike & Shirley Lickteig
Dr Randy & Marsha McCaulley
Larry Meachum
Perry Greenhouse & Supply
Poetry Palooza
John & Kathy Powell
Kent & Cheri Scheib
Chuck & Katie Schott
Lori Seeley
Jan & Marvin Shirley
Cindy Sohn
Dean Stumbo
Janice & Dave Summerson
Jackie Svetly
Lynn & Dave Ubben
Joyce Conklin-VanKirk
Van Wall Equipment
Jim & Julie Walstrom
Margie Worrell
Galleries
Atelierat1109 11092ndStreet
Tues-Fri10-5•Sat10-3
BetsyPetersonDesigns 11212ndStreet
Tues-Sat11-5
MaryRoseCollective 1215WarfordStreet
Thurs-Fri11-4
Sat9-4•Sun11-4
PublicArt
Sculptures
BigBikeSculpture
BoulevardSculptures
ReconfigurationArches
PerryCommunitySchools Murals
ArtonthePrairie
ElPuente/TheBridge Honor
NEW:IwoJimaFlagRaising
PrairieLane
Sinclair-MemoryLane
PerryYourJourneyStartsHere Installationsat
LaPoste
PerryPublicLibrary
SoumasCourt
PermanentCollectionsat
HotelPattee
PerryPublicLibrary
PerryHighSchool
AnnualEvents
FiberFestivalofPerry 2ndSaturdayinMay
ArtHarvestTour
LastFullWeekendinSeptember
ArtonthePrairieFestival 2ndFullWeekendinNovember
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