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Meet the 2026 Artists

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2025

Heather Smith
Des Moines, IA
Heather Smith is a graphic designer whose work explores the relationship between natural life and human interactions within environments. Her work consists of the symbolism of consumer culture to reflect value and connection.

Troy Richard Thomas
Tiffin, IA
Troy has been painting his Pattern series and Color Repetition paintings since 1990 with a body of work exceeding 3,000 images. His current work centers on Watercolors, and Oils on canvas presented as patterns, color repetitions mixed media free emotions with bold brushstrokes. They are a vivid display of his emotions and desires through bright bold colors on paper and canvas.

Anna V. Gilbert
ANGILSTONE
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.

Lisa Glaser
Des Moines, IA
Lisa Glaser is a multi-media artist specializing in silversmithing, Lost-wax casting, and lapidary arts. Lisa’s designs are inspired by the natural world. Each semi-precious stone is cut to reveal the hidden story within and each gemstone is cut with a nature-inspired theme. Live plant materials are used to create molds for molten silver during the lost-wax casting process. Lisa grows, nurtures and harvests many of the plants, herbs and tress used in her designs.

Lisa's Website: https://www.trinkets4u.com

Melissa Nelson
New Hampton, IA
My name is Melissa Nelson, and I am a high school art teacher in New Hampton and an Adjunct Professor at Wartburg. 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, and I teach a huge variety of classes and media. I am really fascinated with the ability of stained glass to be 2D and 3D. Stained glass is a versatile medium, and I love to work with it. My work has almost always had some sort of interactive piece and has just become more and more important in how I create. I believe that interacting with artworks builds appreciation, joy, and interest in art. Being an art teacher, I get to interact with many artworks and I want to bring that interaction into my own artwork. Kaleidoscopes are a simple childhood toy that I have turned into stained glass because I wanted the child-like joy everyone gets when looking through them at my work. Children have such fun doing simple things, and I feel as adults we don’t always get to experience that. So I hope that my work brings wonder and excitement to all who see it. I also recently discovered another joy in creating small things using the Japanese firing style of Raku. I learned to do it using a small microwave kiln and have been making small ceramics, including earrings and magnets, using this technique! I really love it because it’s a super dramatic technique that includes putting red-hot ceramics into flammable materials. The flammable materials burst into flame, and the flames are what develop the glazes. Because of the volatile nature, it’s very unpredictable, and you never know what will happen, even to the same things within the same exact firing! Melissa's work online: https://www.facebook.com/ArtBlazeMelissa

Wayne & Karen Ruff
Bennington, NE
We have been creating our sculptures for over 20 years. Enjoy the challenge of cutting & welding the steel and adding all sorts of stones to create a one of a kind sculpture for your home & garden.

Mariah Piippo
Mason City, IA
Mariah Piippo is an artist based in Mason City, Iowa. Piippo creates mixed media works of acrylic, sand, mica powder, and more that are textural and colorful. Their pieces often offer a glimpse into the world around us and the happiness that can be found within it. Piippo's work is a blend of color, texture, and shape creating a joyous atmosphere in each piece while inviting the viewer to look into the artwork from a new perspective. They hope to bring a few moments of happiness and peace to any space that her work occupies.

Mariah's website: https://www.piippoworks.com/

Megan Carbonelli

Dubuque, IA

​I'm a self-taught artist who draws inspiration from personal trauma, pop culture, and the bond with animals. I'm an artist based out of the American Midwest. I began painting as a form of escapism and coping strategy. What started as a way to process emotions and my trauma during therapy gradually evolved into a full artistic discovery. I moved to Iowa in 2019 and have found nature and connection with wildlife to be very important in my life and artistic endeavours. At the encouragement of my therapist, I began sketching my feelings during our sessions. Those sketches grew into paintings, and over time, I started studying art online to refine my technique and deepen my self-expression. Living with major depressive disorder and PTSD, art has become a powerful tool for healing and coping. With my work, I want to make people feel happy and a sense of belonging.

Alissa Rindels-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 am a mixed media artist, focusing on dark fantasy and storytelling. As an 80's kid, my primary influences were comic books, Heavy Metal Magazine and artist powerhouses such as Frazetta, Vallejo and Giger. All artwork is traditional, starting with a rough pencil sketch that is then transferred onto canvas, paper or board.  Mixed media used: pen and ink, acrylic paint, soft pastels, charcoal, and alcohol makers on drawing or watercolor paper, canvas sheet or birch panel.

Alissa's website: https://www.direatrium.com

Brittany Wheeler
Waterloo, IA
Every earring is carefully and thoughtfully handcrafted out of polymer clay. Polymer clay is an extremely versatile medium and very lightweight when worn! Whether it's a tiny leaf or petal on a floral design, I personally form each detail by hand. 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 art I get to share with the world!

Brittany's website: https://brittanymaesclay.etsy.com

Cheryl L DeBower
Charles City, IA

I am retired and I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and meeting new people. Oil painting is a way for me to relax and put my vision on canvas. I want people to see what I see when I paint and stop and appreciate the beauty around us before it is gone. I graduated from High School in 1967 at the age of 17, I was accepted at the Minneapolis School of Art and was very excited at the prospect of doing something I loved. Art was not considered a good career choice for women that grew up in that era. If you wanted a career your choices were becoming a Nurse, a teacher or a secretary. I chose to go to school to become a secretary. At the age of 50 I went back to college and got my AA in Networking. I was in the work force for 53 years and finally retired at the age of 70 in 2020. Soon I realized I had no purpose and quickly became bored. Christmas in 2020, my children decided I needed a hobby and presented me with some canvas, brushes and oil paints to show me that it is never too late to follow your dream. I am enjoying my new venture in life. I love painting nature, sunsets/sunrises, oceans and pictures I capture on a whim. I also take commissions if anyone wants to put that picture on canvas. In October of 2018, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After intense chemo and radiation, I am cancer free and realized that life is not promised, so do what makes you feel good each day. I have noticed that I look at the world differently. The beauty that surrounds us is everywhere if we only take the time to notice that sunrise or sunset can be gone in a moment. Even a dead tree in the middle of a field can be beautiful if we just take the time to see it. For me, painting is trying to show others what I see through my eyes, maybe they will stop for just a moment and enjoy the beauty of the world around them before it goes away. Never forget to hug, love one another, laugh along the way, be kind to one another, as we are only here for a short while, and make your journey the best that it can be, one step at a time.

Karen Homann
Hudson, IA

Weaving is both structure and story, an intersection of tradition, material, and handwork. As a fiber artist working on a floor loom, I create textiles that honor historic weaving techniques while exploring their relevance in contemporary life. My work is rooted in traditional structures such as overshot, lace, and twill, which I reinterpret through modern color and thoughtful design. Using natural fibers including cotton, linen, hemp, and Tencel, I focus on texture, drape, and the tactile experience of cloth. The process itself , warping, threading, and weaving—becomes a rhythm that informs each piece. I am drawn to the balance between function and artistry. Whether a scarf, textile, or framed work, each piece is intended to be both useful and enduring. My work has been recognized in regional exhibitions, including receiving Best of Show at the Cresco Art Show in 2025. Karen's website: www.https://barefootedweaver.com

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 five 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 natural gemstone and whimsical art glass jewelry for more than twenty years.

Kathi Fehr
Clutier, IA

Bruce W. Litterer

Shell Rock, IA

Bruce has been working with colored pencils for the past ten years and his has developed into detailed creative drawings of Iowa rural Iowa farm life and wild life. Bruce never lost the memories of the past as a kid on a farm as he draws the beauty of the past through his colored pencil artworks

Andreas Soemadi
Iowa City, IA
Andreas Soemadi is currently a professor of mathematics at Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon, IL.  I taught physics at NIACC, Mason City, IA from 2018 to 2025.  I taught mathematics at Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA from 2000 - 2018.  I use mathematics and coding in Wolfram language to generate my all artworks in an environment of Mathematica.  More about his art related activities are available at his website www.artemmathematica.art

Jordan Trueblood
Parkersburg, IA

Hello! My name is Jordan Trueblood! I am a practicing artist studying Interior Design, currently at Hawkeye Community College. I plan to continue at the College of Design at Iowa State University after getting my Associate of Arts Degree at Hawkeye.
I love making art, and I have been a practicing artist for at least five years. I have done artworks in acrylic paint, watercolor, chalk pastel, oil pastel, charcoal, colored pencil, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media. I get my inspiration from things I love, like books, movies, music, nature, etc.

Judy Sebern Beachy
Des Moines, IA

Born and raised in Charles City, Judy now splits her time between living in Des Moines and Charles City since retirement. Judy was involved in cancer research for the Iowa Cancer Registry at the University of Iowa, but now spends her time creating art. In mid-life, Judy started classes with Des Moines artist Mary Muller with a series of classes in drawing, charcoal, and pastels. Judy's favorite subject to paint is nature, especially flowers and landscapes. After mastering realistic subjects, Judy became interested in abstract acrylic painting and then during the pandemic, Judy turned her interest to watercolors. Judy has been a member of her church’s Visual Arts Committee for 10 years. There she helps curate shows in the gallery space, and participates in spiritual-themed art shows. Judy‘s work can be found displayed in several offices and coffee shops in the Des Moines area as well as the Charles City Art Center. Follow Judy on FB or Instagram under the pages: “Judy Sebern Beachy ART”

Alexa Johnson
Mason City, IA

My name is Alexa Johnson and I am a 31 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 Mac Nider 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 31 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. Alexa's website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AestheticEyeArt

Annie Noodle
Mankato, MN
I love to do colorful, whimsical, and often silly art. Often I also incorporate real life places into my art, with a fantasy element. I use these pieces to explore our connections to our environments, our art, and our emotions.

Megan Bigelow
Solon, IA
Formed compositions with a play on not only lighting and heavy weighted color, but also focus, is where I find my framework. As an abstract and still life photographer, I find joy in creating a variety of images, but all bodies of work have undertones of my exploration of how to understand my connection to this world and the next. 

I graduated from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts in 2013 with Honors. It took 12 years for me to return to the art world in fall of 2025. My most recent body of work, Thin Place, is being shown at the Charles City Arts Center in May 2026.

​

See Megan's work online: https://www.instagram.com/bigelow.m/

Douglas Cole

Sumner, IA

Douglas Cole art pottery has been in existence since 2000. His electric fired red stoneware has been enjoyed by many throughout the country he creates unique and functional pieces and masterful colours and shapes.

Dennis Helmers
Charles City, IA

Susan Kennicott
Jesup, IA
My work is mixed media using resin and acrylic paint and working in multiple layers to achieve a 3D appearance. I have been creating these pieces for the last 10 years and showing at major shows all over the country before returning to live in the midwest. These pieces are all painted in hand turned wood bowls my husband makes from locally sourced wood.

Susan's website: https://www.susankennicott.com

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.

Dennis Haahr
Ames, IA
Former Charles City resident, I now live in Ames. My past life as an interior designer and furniture/floorcovering retailer has always kept me in touch with working with beautiful and often exotic woods. All my projects are hand made and designed by me and are many times a "one of a kind". Many of the cutting boards are made with a hanging slot on the back to display them as a "work of art" that can be used as a charcuterie serving board, instead of just a "cutting" board.

Wendy Ebbers
Rockwell, IA

As a child growing up in the woods in small town Iowa, I was fascinated by the flowers found there; hepaticas, bloodroot and dutchman's britches were my favorites, as they signaled that spring had arrived. The flowers in Iowa woodlands and its many lush colorful gardens inspire me, and are found in much of my art. I have a deep love and respect for Mother Nature's gifts; this love has been key in shaping the person I am today. I have painted most of my life, but my journey as a serious artist began when I retired in 2021 and moved back to Iowa. The first room I set up in my 1894 craftsman home was my art studio! My studio is a place of peace, calm and inspiration as I watch the seasons come and go. I paint primarily with acrylic, but recently have been playing with watercolor and collage. I love color and texture, and you will find this predominant in my work. I try to instill a sense of light and joy in all my work. My hope is that the bright colors and light-hearted subject matter of my work brings happiness and joy to you.

Stephen Schiller
Charles City, IA
I have been taking photos for about 26 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 and grow as I learn all aspects of different styles of photography.

Deb J - Art & More
Cedar Rapids, IA
I love working with different mediums as I don't like limiting myself! I love brainstorming ideas and themes, trying to create something new and unique. My current favorite mediums to work with are polymer clay, linocut, and magazine collages. My favorite subjects are nature and animals, and I am very passionate about Monarchs (butterflies and caterpillars).

Sergiy Nagorny

Oskaloosa, IA

I am a multimedia artist, working mostly with recycled metal, wire, paper, and other materials. But for this jury I would like to present my 2- and 3-dimentional collages that are created with recycled coffee cup sleeves on canvas and/or framed and with wire. These are combined by different methods and drawn on with archival ink or different color/caliber sharpie, creating intricate, precise but intriguing multidimensional drawings, some incorporate wire too. Size varies from 2 to 24 inches, all original, no repetition or reprints. The idea of letting people see and appreciate beauty and artistry instead of cost of material is very inspiring to me.

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.

Ron Kahler
New Ulm, MN

I threw my 1st pot in 1966. I was in 9th grade at the Waverly-Shell Rock Jr. High School. After graduating from W-SR in 1969, I attended the University of Northern Iowa. I graduated in 1973, with a Bachelor's degree in Art Education. My emphasis was in Ceramics/Pottery. I taught Art in the Public Schools of Iowa and Minnesota from 1974-1984. In 1984, I left teaching after receiving my Master's degree in Counseling and Psychological Services. I quit throwing pots at that time. In 2005, I began throwing pottery again. During the COVID shut down I challenged myself to create new and unique pottery forms. I continue to throw and produce new forms and utilize new techniques. As long as I am healthy and physically, mentally capable, I will continue to throw pots. I will continue to challenge myself to create new forms and utilize new techniques, while throwing pots.

Nataliia Yeliseieva
Charles City, IA
My name is Nataliia, and I am from Ukraine, but I have been living in Charles City for three years now. I am not an artist, but my creative side unfolded for me here, which helped soothe my soul. I especially love creating and working with 3D forms and reliefs. Now, my dream is to create bas-reliefs on walls. Decorative wall panels in the bas-relief technique will be presented at the exhibition, which I would later like to create directly on walls. 

Candida Deree
Waterloo, IA

Candida Deree is a fused glass artist based in Waterloo, Iowa. Born and raised in Marion, Iowa, she earned her BFA from Iowa State University with an emphasis in Fiber Arts and Textiles. After discovering fused glass, she developed her practice through self-directed study and began exhibiting her work in 2020. Her honors include Best in Glass at Iowa Crafts: 47 (2025) and an Honorable Mention at Charles City Art-A-Fest (2025). Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Waterloo Center for the Arts. She also teaches fused glass at the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

Candida's work online: 

https://facebook.com/Blue_Lily_Creation_by_Candida

Shannon Graham
Plainfield, IA
Shannon Graham, along with his partner, Colleen Graham, creates analog photographic art. Hand-printed in the studio's darkroom, the team explores the possibilities of what can happen as one explores the medium. Most of the magic develops in the studio's darkroom, and Shannon continues to pursue alternative processes. The bromoils are finished with lithographic ink; the chemigram portfolio is best described as "painting with chemistry." Some series, such as Instant Eternity and (the newest) Internal Combustion, do not even employ a camera, but are created entirely in the studio. The artists also finish each print with custom matting and framing.

Shannon's website: https://darkroomartist.com

Dani Clarke
Charles City, IA
I’m a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and am originally from Charles City. I work primarily in alcohol markers. I enjoy creating colorful animals and architecture.

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