Anamosa Arts Court Transforms Local Fence into Art Gallery

Thanks to local donations and a Paint Iowa Beautiful grant, the Anamosa Arts Court transformed the alley behind Main Street and Huber Street in Anamosa, Iowa, into a vibrant art showcase. Designed and painted by local artists and children's classes through Thou Art Gallery, six paintings on metal sheets now adorn the fence. What a great way to make the fence behind Main Street more colorful and vibrant!

Regency Retirement Residence is Repainted

The exterior siding and trim of the Regency Retirement Residence in Sioux Center, Iowa, was repainted after the Regency received a Paint Iowa Beautiful grant from Diamond Vogel and Keep Iowa Beautiful. An Open House will be held at the Regency Retirement Residence in celebration of the project after construction on Highway 75 is completed in 2024.

Hurstville Interpretive Center Receives New Coat of Paint

The Jackson County Conservation Board was able to paint the walls and ceiling in the Hurstville Interpretive Center in Maquoketa, Iowa, thanks to a Paint Iowa Beautiful grant from Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel.

The center was repainted in preparation for a new exhibit to be installed in the fall of 2024.

Holy Cross, Iowa

"The Holy Cross committee is an incredibly energetic, collaborative and cohesive team of ladies! From the first meeting, they absorbed everything I shared about Hometown Pride, and volunteered for roles of Chair and Secretary. They decided they needed a couple more members and by the second meeting a month later, there were two more! Every event they plan, or project they are working on, they all contribute something. They always know who in the community to ask to help and go door to door with flyers for events so those who don’t use technology are included. When they meet, it’s like a well-oiled machine; they finish each other’s thoughts, have honest discussions and respect everyone’s opinions and come to a consensus without any drama. When they decide to do something, they get it done in the blink of an eye." A recent report from IEDA stated: “Holy Cross has a group of energetic people with the right attitude to do good things…this truly is where every community should start!”

~Tricia Wagner, Dubuque County Hometown Pride Coach

Earlville, Iowa

"We had a hard time getting a Hometown Pride group started…[but] once we got started, it was like the leadership came out of the woodwork! This article [featuring one of our Hometown Pride committee leaders] is a great example of how a community leader that doesn’t maybe fit the narrative (a young mom and entrepreneur) and has done projects on her own (like the town's Sunday Market) has been inspired. I think she has always wanted to do a mobile coffee shop, but now she is even looking at a potential building to begin working on her dream. It’s just a neat example of how getting a small group together can spur even more exciting projects. She is also inspiring her other Hometown Pride committee members, too!"

~Katie Steffensmeier, Delaware and Earlville Hometown Pride Coach

Baldwin, Iowa

"Baldwin (is a) small but mighty town. They don’t get a lot of attention in Jackson County and…it’s taken some time for us to get an idea to run with. But they are now excited and empowered. We wrote a Foundation grant for their park project and the community is excited. Two of my Hometown Pride members were at the awards ceremony and had donors come up to them and share how excited they are to see community members take pride in the small town."



~Amanda Dupont, Jackson County Hometown Pride Coach