I did this last month, but I get so distracted and busy these days things don't always happen in a timely manner. I made the five hour drive down from La Crosse to Cedar Rapids. For those out there not familiar with Cedar Rapids it is the sight of the Legion Art Center, where Mr. Kimm works. It was also Grant Wood's city of origin and the heart of Regionalism. Cedar Rapids also had some horrific flooding, which if I remember correctly hit to the second floor window of Legion art center. It has undergone extensive renovation, and I would have to say that I was thoroughly impressed by the facilities. Cedar Rapids is also the location of the Quaker Oats factory. As Mr. Kimm will attest smells can vary in Cedar Rapids; things like Captain Crunch. Coming back was a bit of an adventure I took a wrong turn and got lost in the city, but with a little help managed to make way back out.
If you can go now you can expect to see Gary Hootman's wood fired ceramics, which are indeed monumental and impressive pieces of work reminiscent of Mesoamerican art. You can also see Four Directions, Four Printmakers, which I would highly recommend. Chauvin had some very impressive etchings. They were quite large, but still maintained a lot of detail and fluidity in them and are impressive from a technical aspect as well as for their content and design.
