Iowa State portrait exhibit debuts in Maquoketa

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — Thursday evening felt like something of a family reunion for Rose Frantzen.

As the Maquoketa artist met with visitors from Iowa State University, she ran into many of the people whose portraits she painted for “Faces of Iowa State.” Those completed works now hang in the Maquoketa Art Experience building downtown.

“When you paint somebody’s portrait and you spend time with them, you become friends with them in a way,” Frantzen said.

About 85 people attended a reception for the exhibition Thursday at Maquoketa Art Experience. That included ISU President Wendy Wintersteen.

“The Faces of Iowa State University allows us to celebrate the great work of our faculty, staff and students,” Wintersteen said.

The exhibition features about 40 portraits of people connected to Iowa State University. Frantzen painted the first half at the Iowa State Fair in 2016 and the second half at the university campus in 2017.

“It was important for us to really reflect the diversity of Iowa State University in our alums, in our faculty, in our staff and students,” Wintersteen said. (full article)

BY ALLIE HINGA allie.hinga@thmedia.com

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