Artifacts

If you are in the market for a unique piece of art on a budget, see Todd, Margaret, Steve, or Ryan at Artifacts. Their art and pottery selection is phenomenal, though you may have to do some digging to find the perfect piece. In addition to art, they have almost everything else imaginable to personalize your pad.

Mad Modern

Specializing in mid-century furniture and accents, Dave at Mad Modern has an incredible eye for vintage cool, including an incredible art selection.

The Art Mission

This is a one-stop-shop for art. With Kathy’s breathtaking pastel storm series original work, a breadth of incredible consigned works, vintage rock posters, floor-to-ceiling antique stained glass windows, arts and crafts furniture, and her precision framing, you are bound to find something to fall in love with here. Not everything is out on display, so be sure to ask if there is something you are looking for. If Kathy doesn’t have it, chances are, she can point you in the right direction.

The Art Mission

While Kathy’s shop is filled with appealing vintage works of art, the real gem is her large scale pastel work that depicts the power and beauty of midwestern thunderstorms. As a certified storm tracker, she has experienced these storms first hand, has re-lived the experience in a series of over 70 works, and in the process, has continually redefined herself. Ask to see some of her work; she would love to show it to you.

Iowa Artisans Gallery

If you are looking for a novel piece of furniture, pottery, jewelry, or artwork, then stop by the Iowa Artisans Gallery. They have an incredible selection of items that cater to all interests and budgets. It is a great place to shop for that special someone who appreciates the arts.

Hudson River Gallery

The Hudson River Gallery is located at 501 12th Ave Suite 3, Coralville, IA 52241. Gallery owner, Nick Hotek, coordinates a continually changing collection with artists shows every 6-8 weeks, in addition to representing a long list of accomplished artists. Opening receptions are highly anticipated events and allow the community to meet the featured artist. Nick also provides high-quality custom framing.

The Art Cellar

Art Cellar is a family owned business in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Travis and Stacy Kinkead acquired Art Cellar from its original owner, George Szlemp. George started the business in 1984 and it has been a fixture in the local art community ever since. Upon his retirement he entrusted Travis to continue what he had built as the go to Frame shop for all your framing needs.  Travis is not new to the Custom Framing business or the art world, having over 16 years experience in the industry and studied Studio Art at the University of Iowa.

Travis, a native of the Cedar Rapids area, is excited about the future of Art Cellar.  He wants Art Cellar to be known for not only its continued commitment to high quality custom framing but also to be a place where everyone can come and support our great local and regional artists. To this end, Travis has added a new gallery space to the store.

Everyone is welcome at Art Cellar, whether you’re a veteran of the arts or someone who is just getting started.  Travis will make sure you feel welcomed every time you visit.

UI Museum

Although the University of Iowa Museum of Art building was permanently evacuated after the flood in 2008, the goals of the museum have remained unchanged – to promote the arts, protect its world class art collection, and to create opportunities for the students and public to experience art. While the majority of the collection has been temporarily relocated to the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa, the Iowa Memorial Union continues to house a small portion of the University’s collection. In addition, the University has loaned artwork to regional museums and beyond, including the touring of the famous Jackson Pollock work, Mural, which has seen hundreds of thousands of visitors on its world tour. Mural and the rest of the University collection will return once the new Museum of Art building is completed.

Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa, has a world-renowned collection of artwork housed in a gorgeous facility designed by David Chipperfield. Between shows from its collection and traveling exhibitions, there is always something new to see at the Figge. In addition, the majority of the University of Iowa Museum of Art collection is temporarily housed here.

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

What started as a local art club initiated by city leaders in 1895, grew to become the Cedar Rapids Art Association, displaying work in a gallery in the Carnegie Library. Local artists including Grant Wood and Marvin Cone helped to arrange exhibitions and other promotional events. The Association eventually moved to its own building and earned accreditation by the American Association of Museums before moving back to a renovated Carnegie building (the current home of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art) following a successful fundraising campaign. The museum houses an impressive collection of works by midwestern artists including Grant Wood, Marvin Cone, Mauricio Lasansky, Bertha Jaques, and James Swann.

The Des Moines Art Center

If you have an afternoon to spend wandering through the galleries of the Des Moines Art Center it is well worth it. The combination of the architecture, quality of the artwork, and breadth of work is almost overwhelming. Admission is free to this world-class museum. In addition to the museum is the Pappajohn Sculpture Park that is located in downtown Des Moines. Nearly four-and-one-half acres of land is home to 27 sculptures by some of the world’s preeminent modern sculptors.

The Art Mission

Regardless of what you need framed, Kathy has you covered. She prides herself on the quality and archival nature of her work. She is also a great resource if you have a piece of artwork that requires restoration.

Hudson River Gallery

In addition to housing an incredible collection of art, owner Nick Hotek is an accomplished framer. You are sure to find exactly what you are looking for given his extensive collection of frame samples and expert advice.

Blicks

Looking to add the finishing touches to your artwork? Blicks has a multitude of options when it comes to pre-made frames that are designed to fit standard canvases. If your art falls outside of the typical dimensions, Blicks also offers custom framing. Make sure you get on their mailing list since they frequently have coupons for custom framing that can help save you some cash.

The Art Cellar

Travis is not new to the Custom Framing business or the art world, having over 16 years experience in the industry and studied Studio Art at the University of Iowa.

Blicks

The friendly staff at Blicks are all incredibly knowledgeable. Being artists themselves, they can provide helpful advice if you are wondering about what supplies might be needed for a project or the details of a particular technique. There is a vast array of art supplies to cover nearly every genre. They have frequent art demonstrations and sales that can save you a bundle.

B&H Photo and Video

While we strive to stay local, the closing of University Camera has opened a void in the photography supplies arena in Iowa City. B&H Photo, out of New York City, has every possible camera and video need you could ever imagine. In addition, they carry all sorts of electronics including computers, gaming equipment, drones, TVs and home automation equipment. Their service is incredible and their website is loaded with in depth reviews and instructional videos to help you select the right product for your needs.

Cheryl Jacobsen

Like the human voice, a hand-written work has personality and character that is reflected upon the reader. If you have a formal work that needs transcribed or are looking for an artistic piece of contemporary calligraphy, contact Cheryl. She has studied calligraphy for decades and is an adjunct professor at the University of Iowa’s internationally known Center for the Book. Check our her website to see the impressive variety of her work.

John Neal Booksellers

This business is located in North Carolina. They provide top notch books and supplies for calligraphers, lettering artists, illuminators, bookbinders, type and papercraft enthusiasts worldwide. Their prices are extremely reasonable and their customer service topnotch.

Prairie Lights

Prairie Lights needs no introduction for those of you in the Iowa City area. This independent bookstore is well known for its support of the literary arts with an impressive list of famous authors who have participated in events at the store. They have a wide selection of books to satisfy your every need.

Little Village

Are you at a loss for what to do, where to go, what to eat? Look no further because the Little Village has the answers. They have their finger on the pulse of the Corridor and will steer you in the right direction. In addition to their website and publications, they offer advertising, event promotion, website development and publishing services.

Little Village

Regardless of what your media needs are, Little Village has you covered from website development and videography to print publications. Their friendly staff is dedicated to providing a high-quality end product with a polished, professional feel. In fact, they developed this very site.