T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY Julie Bousum shows off some of the pieces from her “My Marshalltown Map” project, which will be on display in the window at Sub City during the upcoming Oktemberfest. Bousum will also be hosting a series of paste paper workshops around Marshall County in October and November.

Julie Bousum has taught art, English and speech at a number of area school districts including GMG, East Marshall, Marshalltown and Meskwaki, and she still fills in as a substitute when needed. Soon, she’ll be putting her teaching hat back on with a series of workshops around Marshall County thanks to a Local Artist Innovation Grant from the Arts + Culture Alliance.

Her biggest project recently has been the creation of My Marshalltown Map, which is created from paste papers with artistic interpretations of a host of iconic local buildings (including the T-R). Bousum estimates that she’s been working on it for a year now and has put 200 to 300 hours into it already, using cornstarch and water to create a gelatin paste.

The idea first came from Elisabeth Curtis with InStitches when she was struggling to find original artwork that featured Marshalltown, and Bousum got to work on filling that void.

“It runs from 13th Street east to 18th Avenue and then it goes from new Highway 30 up to the river,” Bousum said. “The map and the buildings are depicted from their most characteristic perspective as you might see if you’re driving by, so when people look at this map, the location may not be exact and the buildings are not to scale. But you will be able to recognize most of the buildings.”

All of the buildings are hand drawn with the assistance of photos Bousum either takes herself or finds online. And the 52″x 57″ map will be completed soon as she has set a self-imposed deadline of Oktemberfest next week because it will be displayed in the front window of Sub City during the event.

In conjunction with the completion of her project, Bousum will then host a number of workshops at various area locations for both children and adults:

• Oct. 1 at 3:30-4:30 – Gutekunst Library in State Center — Youth workshop (create 5 x9″ fall collages for State Center Fall Festival display)

• Oct. 12 at 1:30-2:30 – Marshalltown Public Library — Family workshop (demonstration of paste paper texturing) each family member may make a 4 x 4″ “explosion” book)

• Oct. 12 at 3:30-5:30 — Marshalltown Public Library — Adult workshop (demonstration to make paste papers, participants will make a few papers to take home, and then make collages using provided paste papers)

• Oct. 18 (Saturday) at 11:00-12:00 at Albion Library (demonstration to make paste papers, participants to make explosion books)

• Oct. 21 at 4:30-5:30 – Grimes Farm and Conservation Center — Youth workshop (demonstration of paste paper texturing and create a nature picture using paste papers)

• Oct. 21 at 6:30-9:00 – Grimes Farm and Conservation Center — Young adult and adult workshop (create paste papers after demonstration and make a nature-themed collage using provided paste papers)

• Oct. 22 at 1:00-2:30 – First Methodist Church — Adult workshop (create 4 x 4″ book with paste paper cover after demonstration of making paste papers)

• Nov. 11 at 5:30-6:30 Heart of Iowa Big Brothers Big Sisters (make 5 x 9″ diptychs with partners. May use magazines to add details.

The adult classes will cost $10, while all children’s events are free. For Bousum, who has wanted to do something along these lines for a long time, the grant and the opportunity are a dream come true.

“Julie Bousum’s project embodies the purpose of the ACA’s Artist Innovation Grant by highlighting the unique character of our community through creativity and collaboration. Her partnership with local businesses and intentional engagement with residents not only celebrates who we are, but also fosters pride and learning through the arts,” ACA Executive Director Amber Danielson said. “Julie’s work is a meaningful reminder of how the arts can educate, connect, and inspire.”