Summer of the Arts

January 7, 2025

Hello Lisa,

Happy New Year! It's a new year and you'll notice a new look to our logo and newsletters! Since this is our 20th year as a nonprofit organization we decided to "freshen up" our logo (although we love this design). So our amazing graphic designer, Megan Burns, adjusted the color palette to something a little different while maintaining a variety of colors!

Also, new this year -- we're making a change the Free Movie Series. This summer we'll be showing four feature films (once a month May - August) at the Iowa City Municipal Airport. This will be the combination drive-in, bring your chairs allowing audiences easy access in a fun location! We appreciate the support provided by the Iowa City Municipal Airport and our presenting sponsors for the series -- Urban Acres Real Estate and CBI Bank & Trust! Watch for more info to come.

If you appreciate what we do to bring our community together, please consider a tax deductible donation. Remember that all of our regular events are FREE for everyone to attend and we're able to do what we do because of YOUR generous support.

Click HERE to make a donation today. You can also give through Venmo: @SOTAIC. Thank you!

Lisa J. Barnes, Executive Director

Free to a Good Home!

We've been doing some winter cleaning in our office and have a few items looking for a new home. All are gently used and you'll need to pick them up at the Summer of the Arts office, 319 E 1st Street, Iowa City. Please contact info@summeroftheARTS.org if you're interested in any of the items below!

This is a sturdy club chair that's actually pretty comfortable!

No, you're not seeing double! We actually have two chairs with this fabric!

Similar to the first two but with a different fabric featuring more browns.

This office chair does have arms that can be reattached if you'd prefer!

This Eco Station is a great way to sort your recyclables for four compartments easily accessible from the back.

Meet Our New Board Members!

Over the next few weeks we'll be introducing you to the new board members for the Summer of the Arts! Please help us welcome them!

Emma Barnum is with United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties.

Her favorite Summer of the Arts festival: "I love the Iowa Arts Festival for the artists and shopping and Jazz Fest for the music, and both for the food! I started going to the outdoor movies series with my friends and my husband in college but have greatly enjoyed bringing our kids more recently. I also will always have a soft spot for the Soul and Blues festival because the walking and dancing I did there in 2014 was what brought on labor for the birth of my firstborn. :)"

Kevin Felker is co-owner of The Prairie Kitchen Store on the Northside.

His favorite Summer of the Arts festival: "Friday Night Concert Series. My family has great memories coming downtown and Friday night with our lawn chairs, meeting friends downtown, and watching some of our fantastic local musicians."

Watch More on Our YouTube Channel

Did you know that Summer of the Arts has a YouTube channel where you can enjoy the memories of past events? Whether it's thrilling performances, artist showcases, or behind-the-scenes glimpses, our channel brings you closer to the vibrant arts community in Iowa City.

Subscribe to our channel to stay updated on upcoming events and enjoy your favorite performances anytime, anywhere.

Watch our latest videos here!

Upcoming Community Events

Sunday with the Docents

Form and Purpose will be led by Docent Jill Maahs who will look at the tradition of objects from the African continent. The tour will cover the beauty of these objects, as well their uses, from everyday items to the sacred.

Jill Maahs is a graduate of the University of Iowa with a BA in Art and Art History. She also received a master’s in teaching from Drake University. Jill taught Art in central Iowa and in Casablanca, Morocco. The University of Iowa is where her love of art and museums began as a docent at the former museum on North Riverside Drive.

This tour is part of the Sundays with the Docents program. Walk-ins are welcome on the tour, but using the sign up is strongly recommended as tours are capped at 20 participants. Reserve your spot HERE.

Date: January 12, 2025

Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM

Cost: FREE

Venue: Stanley Museum of Art, University of Iowa Campus

Learn more about the event HERE

Image Caption: “Nkisi nkondi” (power figure) Kongo style Late 19th century Wood, iron nails, glass, and resin The Stanley Collection of African Art, X1986.573

Unrecorded artist; Angola or Democratic Republic of the Congo

It's easy to set up monthly donations to Summer of the Arts through our donation portal! Just select recurring monthly when you make your donation.

These regular investments make a HUGE difference to the sustainability of our organization!

You can also donate through Venmo: SOTAIC

Thank you!

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors!

SUMMER OF THE ARTS www.summeroftheARTS.org