CIAA continues to offer art classes to Vet’s Home residents and the public

The Central Iowa Art Association (CIAA) can trace its roots to 1944 when three women, Allene Gordon, Edna Wise and Helen Lentz, began exploring the idea of art classes being offered in Marshalltown. The trio formed The Creative Group. Later rebranded as the CIAA, its Art Center opened in January 1958 at the Fisher Community Center and remained there until August 2020. Financial difficulties and administrative turnover plagued the organization in recent years. In 2022, the CIAA found a new, permanent headquarters at Heinz Hall at the Iowa Veterans Home.

"It's been a very successful first year in partnership between the CIAA and IVH," CIAA President Bob Moore said.

The CIAA's next Sip-n-Paint (with local artist Melynda McCord) will take place at 6 p.m. on July 25 and again on August 29 at Tannin Wine Bar. Register at Tannin or online at: facebook.com/CentralIowaArtAssociation.

CIAA offers Kids Free Open Art Studio from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the first three Saturdays of the month.

In addition, the Adult Free Open Art Studio runs 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the first three Sundays of the month.

According to Moore, it's been an incredible journey.

"The previous Art Association administration, with the board's approval, made more acquisition trips to New Mexico and kept bringing back more ceramics," he said. "It was the reason we were in trouble and kept piling up more (art) than we really needed."

Due to damage sustained in the summer 2020 derecho, the CIAA was forced to quickly vacate. In five days, its art collection was relocated to Iowa State University with the help of board member Jon Muller. The artwork remained at ISU through the end of 2020, and then was put into storage at the Marshalltown U-Haul.

"We were displaced and dispossessed. It was a worry. We couldn't keep operating out of personal funds. That's not a good way to run a foundation," Moore said. "I'm persistent, patient and probably problematic in some ways, because I didn't want to let the collection go."

Serendipity struck when Moore attended a Rotary Club meeting in July 2022. Then-IVH Commandant Matthew Peterson was the guest speaker.

"He mentioned the Vet's Home had Heinz Hall, one of the oldest buildings on campus, and they weren't sure what to do with the building now that residents had been relocated. It sat empty," Moore recalled.

He immediately reached out to IVH to set up a time to chat with Peterson.

"Within a few days, we're getting specific with a Memorandum of Understanding between IVH and CIAA to establish an art center and gallery on the ground floor of Heinz Hall," Moore said. "Immediately, we're operating out of a space with no overhead: no rent, no utilities, no Internet fees. In exchange, any resident at IVH who wants to take a class with us can do so for free. Right now, the art collection (including its impressive assortment of ceramics) is at Heinz Hall in storage. Getting the classes up and running has been the priority."

Artists of varying backgrounds and interests have led classes.

"At this point, we cannot have full-time paid staff positions. That's what got us in difficulty before," Moore said. "Unless income improves a lot, I think we'll have to rely on a model that depends upon volunteers."

Kimberly Bratland, clinical support director at IVH, said residents have enjoyed the opportunity to have another social and creative outlet on campus. While IVH staff members were already leading some art and ceramics instruction, Bratland says the CIAA has supplemented that in a positive way.

"This offers another opportunity in some different art activities at different times. It's been win-win," she added.

The CIAA has class, office, gallery and storage space as per the agreement. The other areas of the building are reserved for IVH staff housing.

Residents can also take CIAA-sponsored art classes at the Malloy Building if that is more convenient. Bratland said residents particularly enjoy assisting and observing the various children's classes.

The Adult Open Studio facilitates a space where people can bring their own creative project to work on, mingle with fellow artists and find support and encouragement.

The CIAA and IVH post updates and photos on social media.

"We have some very talented residents," Bratland added.

Moore noted several rooms at Heinz Hall have been reserved for artists to teach and work on their craft.

"That's beginning to emerge. I think we have four or five artists using some space now in the rooms available to us," he said. "In exchange, we ask them to teach at least one class per month. I love the idea and it's really going to anchor with some people. It's been a dream of mine for a long, long time that we have a place in Marshalltown where artists could go to work on projects. Maybe you don't have the space or money for a studio and you can work it out with a trade with us."

The tentative plan is to hold an open house and a collection rollout in late September, plus unveil a new gift shop.

Moore said the organization is seeking to expand its board and is always looking for volunteers and artists.

CIAA Art Center and Gallery is located at Heinz Hall, Iowa Veterans Home, 1301 Summit St., Marshalltown. Moore may be reached at: 641-750-2853 and rob.lin1@comcast.net and through the CIAA Facebook page.