top of page

Meet the 2025 Artists

2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024

Wayne & Karen Ruff
Bennington, NE
We create sculptures from various materials-steel, stone, wood & pottery.  We hand cut all the metal, form & weld it to a specific shape then incorporate stones, wood, & pottery to create a one-of-a-kind art piece for your home.

Troy Richard Thomas
Tiffin, IA
Artist Troy Richard Thomas lives and works in the village of Homestead, Iowa  where he has his studio surrounded by prairie and floral gardens. Troy has been painting since 1978 and has worked as a seasonal paddle guide. 
The artwork being presented to you is a mix of Patterns, abstracts, and color repetitions mixed free emotions with bold brushstrokes. They are a vivid display of emotions and desires through bright bold colors captured Watercolors and oils.

Lisa Glaser
Des Moines, IA
Lisa Glaser is a multi-media artist specializing in silversmithing, Lost Wax Casting and lapidary arts. Lisa was inspired at an early age by her entrepreneurial grandparents who opened their “Hobby Craft” store in the 1950s. Lisa spent time at the store learning traditional art, crafts, hobbies and the importance of customer service. Throughout school, Lisa’s focus was art, but it was a unique offering in high school that introduced her to her true passion of silver work. In 2015, Lisa began faceting gemstones and creating cabochons for her designs. While Lisa has been selling her work at shows since 2007, she retired in 2022 to focus on her design and fabrication work while continuing to learn new and exciting techniques.  Lisa will be featuring botanical items cast in silver and precious/semi-precious gemstones during this event.
Learn more HERE.

Anna V Gilbert
Bondurant, IA
I create one-of-a-kind jewelry using high-quality natural stones and crystals: necklaces, pendants and earrings. I paint small oil paintings using palette knives. Paintings have thick layers of oil paint; they have a lot of character, full of life and color. Most of them are images of cats or flowers. In addition, I do mat framed color prints of my original paintings: size 8 x 10 and 11 x 14. I enjoy sharing my passionate love for nature, natural stones, crystals and cats. I express this passion in my oil paintings and jewelry creations.
Learn more HERE.

Ron Kahler
New Ulm, MN
I produce multi-functional pottery, horse haired pottery, and striated pottery.

Douglas Cole
Sumner, IA

Wheel-thrown stoneware pottery.  Bowls, vases, lidded forms.

Carmen Nielsen
Princeton, MN
I have been an artist all my life, with ceramics as my primary medium the last 10 years. I am inspired by the beauty of nature and I try to capture some of that beauty in my work. I enjoy sharing my studio and my knowledge of clay with friends and neighbors.

Jonathan Purdy
Cedar Falls, IA

Purdy graduated from USD with an MFA in printmaking.  Since then, he has been a Professor of Design, the ED of a Business Improvement District, and professional artist. His art is an abstract conversation. Due to music's influence on his work frequently when painting one quote, from Tom Waits, consistently echoes in his mind, "We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness."

Learn more HERE.

Brittany Wheeler
Waterloo, IA
Charles City native living in the Cedar Valley! I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2012, was a jewelry designer for 11 years, and have been a full-time polymer clay artist since May, 2022. I make lightweight polymer clay earrings that can easily be worn all day. Made consciously for those with sensitive ears, each pair is just as unique as the wearer! While my personal style is boho, I like to provide carefully curated styles for those who love modern, floral, classic, camp, and festive earrings to go with every holiday. Each set is handmade one-of-a-kind works of art for people to wear and express their individual style.
Learn more HERE.

Karen Homann
Hudson, IA
I am a Handweaver with over 40 years of experience working in fiber arts. My work blends traditional weaving techniques with a modern , touch , resulting in functional and meaningful textiles -from scarves and runners to bags and wall pieces .

Bruce W. Litterer
Shell Rock, IA
Bruce is an award winning artist from Shell Rock, Iowa. He has been working with colored pencils for the past ten years through realistic farm life and wild life with colored pencils. Bruce never lost the memories of the past as a kid on a dairy farm as he draws the beauty of the past through his colored pencil artworks.

Alissa Walton
Shell Rock, IA
What draws me to art is the unlimited possibilities to display contrast. Light vs. dark, romance and violence, ugliness and beauty, the allure of the villain. I am a storyteller at heart, as I believe every artist is, in their own way. I draw inspiration from the fantasy art icons of the 70s and 80s and have always loved comics, graphic novels and the fantasy/sci-fi genre in films and literature. I am a mixed media artist, focusing on dark fantasy and storytelling. All artwork is traditional, starting with a rough pencil sketch that is then transferred onto canvas, paper or board. Mixed media used: ink, acrylic paint, soft pastels, charcoal, and alcohol makers on drawing or watercolor paper, canvas sheet or birch panel.
Learn more HERE.

Mickey and Dan Johnson
Waterloo, IA
I graduated from UNI in 1998 and have taken classes in glass fusing, stained glass and horticulture. I produce “Bead Fountains” in four sizes. These are mixed media incorporating glass, copper and steel to enhance sunlight and movement in the breeze. The glass reflects the colors found in my garden. 
In addition, I have been selling gemstone/art glass jewelry for the past eighteen years. My jewelry is whimsical art glass and earth tones of natural gemstone.

Family Fancies
Alpharetta, GA
Family Fancies includes my Dad, my sister, and me- Chel. We love to create items that people will enjoy and cherish. My Dad - Dick Neal - makes metal sculptures of all shapes and sizes including animals, people, and words. My sister - JLM Designs - makes beaded jewelry and small pouches. My hobby business, StitchedbyChel is all about leather and fabric purses and bags of all shapes and sizes. We joined together to have fun and show together at ArtAFest in Charles City where my Dad lives and we grew up.

Michelle Juhl
Greene, IA
I make mittens, animals, bags, embroidered items , pillows, aprons, from recycled clothing, and other fabrics.

Judy Sebern Beachy
Des Moines, IA
Retired from a 34 year career in cancer research at the University of lowa, Judy now spends a great deal of time creating art. In midlife, Judy started studying with Des Moines artist Mary Mueller with a series of classes in drawing, charcoal, and pastels. Judy's favorite subject to paint is nature. After mastering realistic subjects, Judy became interested in abstract acrylic painting for 10 years, peace art, and then during the pandemic, Judy turned her interest to watercolors.
Currently, on yet another new tangent, Judy has been experimenting with collage and mix-media in 2024-2025 which includes creating a group of bird collages. 
Follower her on FB and Instagram: Judy Sebern Beachy ART

Dennis Helmers
Charles City, IA
I am a retired plumbing and heating contractor. I make jewelry out of platted silverware.

Kathi Fehr
Clutier, IA
After taking a course on weaving at a local Community College, I decided to purchase a used loom. What started out as a hobby grew  into a part-time business. It is a great  way to recycle old items into new and useful items while using creativity in the process with colors and textures.

Anissa Valladares
Boone, IA
I am a local artist who loves to capture the beauty and aura of nature through art. I love to express my art with an expressionist and impressionist essence in each of my paintings. I currently attend Iowa State and am working towards my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts.

Ann Bishop McGregor
Charles City, IA

Presently working in soft pastel, I enjoy capturing the beauty of God's wonderful creation. The immediacy of soft pastel and different paint supports has been exciting to explore. Favorite subjects are Iowa landscape, flowers from my garden, still life, and Iowa barns. Past training in oil and watercolor have aided me in my newest pursuits. I offer originals as well as reproductions and cards, all at affordable prices.

Learn more HERE.

Melissa Nelson
New Hampton, IA
My name is Melissa Nelson, and I am a high school art teacher in New Hampton. I’m surrounded by art and artists in my job so I’m immersed in creativity almost all the time. I am neurodivergent, so I tend to bounce around with my media. I love making weird creatures as they have no wrong or right. I make one of a kind jewelry that shifts colors as you wear them. Recently I’ve been inspired to make stained glass D20 dice lamps, and stained glass spinners. I love that a traditionally flat media can be 3D and be so beautiful.
Learn more HERE.

Bruce Robert Butterworth
Floyd, IA
I fell in love with photography in my early 20’s, after I bought a used, manual Nikkormat in 1973. I then built my own dark room to develop black and white negatives and prints, and then mount them.  My subjects were usually casual (and occasionally posed) pictures of people, along with the details of old buildings, and some landscapes. However, as my work life in the Federal Government became more and more intense, I had less time for serious photography and limited my efforts mostly to vacation photos - though still usually of decent quality. 

Over my travels during the last several years, I have been taking pictures of scenes that speak to me, whether landscapes, cityscapes, or of people – particularly children (where parents give permission).  I am drawn to interesting shapes, colors, compositions, and subjects that go far beyond the typical tourist photo.  And of course, the human experience.

My wife and I split our time between the Washington DC suburbs and Iowa. Although I did not grow up in Iowa, I’ve fallen in love with the Iowa landscapes – sunsets, blue skies and clouds, early morning fogs, fields, old houses, and snow in the fields.  I have been working with Steve Schiller who has done fine printing and mounting of my photographs.  It has been a pure delight. 

David Prehm
New Hampton, IA
After fifty years of studying and teaching art I am still amazed when I stroll through a new art gallery or pause to observe the miracles of nature.  For an artist the possibilities are endless.  My desire is not to duplicate another artist or a photo of our natural world, but to capture a fragment of what may touch one's heart.  For all those who venture out, it can be a spiritual trek that is good for the soul.

Stephen Schiller
Charles City, IA
I have been taking photos for about 25 years. I am self taught and enjoy doing fine art photography. I love it when a photo will capture someone's attention and draw them into the moment. I try to expand every year. This year I am working on watercolor effects and impressionism in my photos.
Learn more HERE.

Ruben Ruiz
Huxley, IA
My fascination with nature is a major influence in my work. My aim is to create pieces that inspire a smile. It was in 2005 that I came in contact with clay for the first time, at the Irvine Fine Arts Center in California where I learned wheel throwing. The hand building part of my work is a self-taught process. 

My work is made with porcelain or stoneware clay. I wheel throw most of my pieces and then either alter them, add texture, and/or create sculptural details. Each piece is individually glazed and then fired in a reduction atmosphere at a temperature above 2100 degrees.

Gerald Lee Tomkins
Evansdale, IA

I have been interested in doing artwork since high school and majored in art in college. I especially like painting in oil. My preferred subjects are figures, portraits, animals and landscapes.

Travis Miller
Greene, IA
I make abstract style acrylic paintings and have been painting for over 10 years

Mariah Piippo
Mason City, IA
Mariah Piippo is a Textural and Acrylic Painter from Mason City, Iowa. Still early in her art career, Mariah plays with sand to add dimension and texture to create landscapes. Although she still makes more traditional paintings and artwork in addition to exploring texture. She is expanding her art while also working as the Assistant Director and Graphic Designer for the NIACC Performing Arts & Leadership Series.
Learn more HERE.

Kurt Wedeking
Charles City, IA
Charles City resident, born and raised. I make one of a kind functional woodworking art.

Wendy Ebbers
Rockwell, IA
Hello!  Allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Wendy Ebbers, recently retired, and back living in my home state of Iowa!  As a child, I wandered the woods near my house, measuring the seasons in the flowers -- my favorite, Hepaticas, with their fuzzy stems and soft pink petals, always signaled spring had arrived!  I grew to love flowers of all kinds, nurtured by my grandma, Hattie, who had lovely flower gardens surrounding her tiny house.  Her love of poppies soon became my love of poppies, and you will find them in many of my paintings.  My primary mediums are acrylic painting and collage, but I also enjoy watercolor.  I paint with vibrant bold colors, and hope you feel joy and happiness when you see my work.

Meredith Hamm
Charles City, IA
Meredith Hamm is a local artist. She was born and raised on the East coast, and now teaches at the elementary schools in Charles City, and the Charles City Arts Center. Meredith love the ocean, and anything to do with nature, which is where she pulls most of her inspiration. She enjoys reading, creating, doing taekwondo with her family, and taking walks with her dog.

Ashley Koebrick Schmidt
Charles City, IA

I am a fine art oil painter and commissioned artist based in Iowa. My paintings range from portraiture to landscape, in realism and photo-realism styles. My technique employs clean lines and layered texture for intense, vivid color and depth.  I started drawing and painting as a young child. Encouraged by my family, I spent much of my free time as a child sketching scenes from around my home. I was primarily self-taught, and my professional training was limited to a few local community college classes.

Learn more HERE.

Janiece Bergland
Floyd, IA
A signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society, painting all subjects, including landscapes, figures and portraits.  Her work has received awards and is owned by numerous businesses and individuals around the country.

Annie Noodle
Mankato, MN
Hi- I'm Annie Noodle. I make colorful, whimsical fantasy art - usually of fantastical animals. I also make a lot of art based on puns and word play, because that is my sense of humor. My big hope for my art is to give people a moment of joy and silliness in a world that can be sad, stressful, and hard.
Learn more HERE.

Larry Holden
Marshalltown, IA
I was born August 4th 1959 in Marshalltown Iowa, and lived in Garwin Iowa where I graduated with honors from the Garwin Community School District in 1977. I have always been creative, but it took many years for the artist to again reemerge after graduation. There was just something missing, the need to recreate the images that moved me! Through my photography, drawing, painting, woodworking, and sculpture, I am now fulfilling that need. I have always had a passion for nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. Brilliant sunrises and sunsets lure me like a moth to a flame. I try to capture this beautify in my art and photography so that I may share it with others who are similarly affected by nature's wonders. Be it a hunger, a calling, or an addition, it's part of my soul!

Alexa Johnson
Mason City, IA

My name is Alexa Johnson and I am a 30 yr old artist. My journey started with my piece "Princess Alexa" being chosen as the winning piece for the kindergarteners of Hoover to be displayed at the MacNider Art Museum in Mason City. Ever since, I've wanted nothing more than for my work to make people smile and have conversations around the art/artist. I have a BFA in Illustration with a minor in animation from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. My work has evolved over the years as I have, featuring textures, bright colors, and interesting motifs. 

My biggest love and motivator is eyes. I love how intense a viewer's reaction is when faced with an artwork that stares back, and not with a face, so you really have to look the piece in the eye. Visceral moments with art that make us think, even for just a few seconds, and I believe it is extremely important to lead into deeper introspective thinking. I work in multiple different media, as I have old favorites I harken back too, and new interests in other media to explore. A lot like myself, my work is ever changing and evolving. Every piece made is a wealth of knowledge learned and a stepping block for the next piece. I primarily work in acrylics, paper collage, watercolor, markers, colored pencils, and in the past few years fiber arts. Most pieces have a few different media mixed into them to create my vision. Having different materials working together to create a piece is like directing a mini orchestra. Hopefully the finished pieces play a symphony for the viewer.

 I have fibromyalgia and many other mental health issues in life, and art is my constant support. As a "Fibro Fighter" and "Chronic cutie" (a positive term I learned from another artist ChaoIllustrations for people with chronic illness) life has looked a lot different for me compared to most 30 yr olds. Life is a lot more complicated when you have to question if your body can meet the expectations of a simple outing to get coffee or taking a shower.  It is still a beautiful and rich life, but with lots of give and take. Much like how all of us will be, if we live to be ripe and old. But my goal through my art is to show that no matter the struggle, or the changes in life we can still create something beautiful. Something to share. I believe that my goal is to make people feel something with my art, and hopefully make lasting relationships along the way to enrich my life as an artist. Seeing people, as people with stories and lives, is powerful. And I want to remind people that true art comes from humans.

Dale OConnell
Lucas, IA

Dale OConnell, who lives in Lucas Iowa, has been practicing his craft … Alcohol Ink Painting … since 2019. He says, “When I retired, realizing that I could possibly live another 20 years, I embarked on a new career as an artist and quickly zoned in on Alcohol Ink."  
Dale is a member of Iowa Artists, North River Arts Council, and the Alcohol Ink Society.
The Old Print Shop Mini Mall in Humeston IA houses his Gallery.  His work is also on display and for sale at the Chariton Newspapers office and at Quick Lane auto service center in Chariton.   
Dale’s painting, “Stand of Black Oak” won Honorable Mention in the Art Domestique (Washington IA) Member Show in February 2024.  His painting  “Morning Ride – Montana” won Honorable Mention in the Iowa Artists Region 11 show in March 2024.
Recent solo exhibitions include Westminster Presbyterian Church (Des Moines), Lakeside Casino (Osceola), Corydon State Bank (Corydon), and Knoxville and Johnston Public Libraries.
He regularly participates in various art shows across Iowa.
Dale was born in Pittsburgh PA, the oldest of 6.  Prior to retirement he was 50 years a Presbyterian minister serving churches in PA, NY, CA, IA, NE, MO, KS.  He is married to Linda Daniel (Great Bend KS), also a retired Presbyterian minister.  They have 5 children, 11 grands, and 2 greats.

Candida Deree
Waterloo, IA
I was born and raised in Marion, Iowa and currently reside in Waterloo, Iowa. I earned my BFA at Iowa State, where my emphasis was Fiber Arts and Textiles. There I also experimented with Photography, Metals, Wood and Ceramics.  A few years ago I came across Fused Glass, a medium I had never worked with. I dove right in, doing a lot of reading and experimenting teaching myself this art form. I wanted to share my passion for Fused Glass and started selling in 2020. Currently I am also teaching others this Medium at the Waterloo Center of the Arts as their Fused Glass instructor.  Working with Fused Glass I create handmade pieces of Art inspired by nature, patterns and everyday objects. I work in layers, textures and patterns to create beautiful calming pieces. A glimpse into time where one can escape.

Dennis Haahr
Ames, IA
Former Charles City resident, I now live in Ames where I spend many hours in my woodworking shop. My past life as an interior designer and furniture/floorcovering retailer has always kept me in touch with working with beautiful woods and turning rough boards into decorative and useful items.
Everything is hand made and with no pre-designed patterns to follow. The cutting boards are strictly design oriented and by what I feel looks and works together. They are cut multiple times with a bandsaw to create smooth lines that I can then glue thin strips of contrasting colors in between the larger pieces. After the first glue-up, they are again cut apart in a pleasing curved design and reglued again. The whole cutting block process takes multiple cuts of the larger pieces and slicing cuts to make the filler colored strips. They are solid throughout, no veneers to create the design. I also have some cutting boards that are straight contrasting pieces, usually with two wood varieties. I guarantee that there will never be two alike!

  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2025 Charles City Art-a-Fest

We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to make Art-a-Fest accessible to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, culture, religion, race, age, socioeconomic status, or physical ability. 

Contact Us            charlescityartafest@gmail.com          641-228-6284

bottom of page