BIO Sarah Sadie Logemann is a contemporary multimedia artist who lives and works in Iowa. "Art guides my spirit to find connection that creates emotional regulation. I love looking at art in general as therapy. I am an artist who creates with glitter, bubbly, and bold colors. I love to be in the center of the crowd because that’s where the brightest color pops out. I have struggled with depression and feeling out of the loop. I am a believer in love, and art is a gift to me. I like to let others keep my creations to carry-on grounded connections." When did you first start creating and what do ..read more

BIO: American filmmaker, writer, and actress Erica Faye is originally from Memphis, Tennessee, and is the founder of Erica Faye Productions. "I am a Christian and a single mother of 2 amazing young men, ages 13 and 11." For the past 18 years, Faye has lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and just last year, she and her family relocated to Waterloo, Iowa. In 2005 Faye was introduced to the stage and has been creating her own lane ever since. Here theater CV includes Mirrorbox Theater, Rich Heritage Theater, U of I Gallery Production, and Iowa Playwrights Workshop to name just a few. In 2020 she decided ..read more

BIO Danielle is an Iowa-based artist, whose anime works focus on relationship dynamics and the past. Danielle would like to collaborate with gamers in bringing her anime works into accessible gaming. "I have been creating for 11 years. I am living with blindness, but I can do anything anyone else can. What inspires me to create depends on my mood. Anime artists are my favorite artists." What inspires you to create? "It all depends on my mood. If I am in a negative mood, I don't create." Do you have a favorite musician and do you have a favorite artist? "Eddy Rath is my favorite musician. My fa ..read more

BIO Zoe Niswander is an Iowa-based, abstract artist whose artwork is inspired by current events or dreams. Zoe would love to sell her artwork, primarily so she can afford more materials. Zoe's work is all about the process of creating, almost more than the end result. "My goals are to host gallery openings and work with other artists to learn more and develop my skills." When did you first start creating what do you remember creating? "I started painting when I was 5 years old. My Father encouraged me to use my ideas and put them on colorful pictures like rainbows, flying ponies, ocean, light ..read more

BIO Born and raised in Ames, Iowa, Leo Bird is a visual storyteller based out of Des Moines. His stories show how he overcame challenges he faced fitting in growing up. His work can be seen in art shows and comedy shows around central Iowa. ​ "I am a motivational speaker of the series, The Words He Cannot Say. I use drawings as a visual aid. This works because I create the drawings ahead of time, and when I speak, I point to the drawings with a laser pointer when I refer to them when I talk. Although I currently perform with comedians, and my stories are humorous, I consider myself more of an ..read more

Marsha Ternus Former Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court "The beauty and thoughtfulness of Jill’s inclusive art is amazing! I was so moved by the "We Are Iowa" video describing her school mural and other projects that I immediately got online and made a donation to support her unique and important work." Cody Dolinsek Drake University Assistant Professor of Philosophy "Wells' intention and awareness shows the power of partnership and creativity. Her work I think makes me feel vindicated." Dana James Black Iowa News "Wells is the talent behind many highly visible murals and art projects ..read more

BIO Kevin is a Viking artist and was born and raised in Asgard. Kevin is a painter, metal worker, scholar, and sword fighter. He creates at Mainframe Studios and is an Iowa-based artist. He creates his history of his Nordic God self into human life. He physically occupies his creations in his home space, outside of the gallery and has plans to exhibit his work in future public art space. When did you first start creating and what do you remember making? "I started creating when I was a little kid. I remember making armor out of leather and metal." What is your artwork about? "My artwork is abo ..read more

“What does community mean to you?” Asking questions is one of my absolute favorite things to do and this question is where we started in April of this year. By we, I mean myself, two other Iowa artists Marissa Hernandez and Siri Garcia, a couple different Iowa organizations and a large group of young artists living in Des Moines, Iowa. This question was so important because everything we were about to create hinged on the answers. After three months of planning, the day finally arrived when Marissa, Siri and I were standing in front of a group of 18 strangers. Quickly, the group huddled arou ..read more

BIO: Melvin Coleman Jr. (Mr. Goldshine) is an American-born and Iowa-based classical/contemporary pianist, keyboardist, and composer. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Coleman was one of the founding members of the Soul Crusaders and the Goldfunk band of Des Moines, Iowa in the 1970s. In 1974, Melvin opened for Chaka Khan and in 1994 he opened for The Pointer Sisters. Coleman has adopted a variety of musical directions in a five-decade career that continues to keep him at the forefront of many major stylistic developments. A unique pianist, he creates an exciting and soulful concert experi ..read more

BIO Holly Newvine is an Iowa-based artist who specializes in acrylic painting and is very active in her creative practice. Holly begins with sketching her images out first, using graphite, and then moves to painting, using acrylics. Currently, Holly is incorporating mixed media collage into her paintings. Holly, what inspires you to create? "Animals and what is around me." When did you first start painting? "I started painting when I was a little girl." Her most recent works will be on exhibit May 1st at The Polk County Heritage Gallery, in the FREEDOM OF EXPRESSON PROJECT exhibition. What are ..read more