Art exhibits to check out this week in Eastern Iowa

CONTINUING

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF IOWA

If Objects Could Talk

See how everyday objects turn into historic records. To July 27; 55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

AMANA ARTS GUILD & HERITAGE MUSEUM

1918: Pacifistic Patriots of the Amana Society During World War I Art Project

Area artists created works based on photos of the Amana Boys; Heritage Museum includes WWI artifacts. Open all year; Amana Arts Guild, 1210 G St., High Amana, and Amana Heritage Museum, 705 44th Ave., Amana.

BLACH EARTH GALLERY

Sawdust & Shards

Sculpture by John Schwartzkopf and Annick Ibsen; to Saturday (6/16); 1010 Third St. SE, Suite 2, Cedar Rapids.

CEDAR RAPIDS MUSEUM OF ART

Setting the Table: The Art of Still Life

Still life emerged as a genre of painting in the early 17th century in Europe. Including all kinds of man-made or natural objects, cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, fish, game, etc., still life paintings were highly symbolic and reflect the values of the society and artist who creates it. From the CRMA collection. To Sept. 2.

The Grand Tour: Europe Through Artists' Eyes

From the Greek Parthenon to the great cathedrals of France, European monuments have inspired artists for hundreds of years. Named for the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper class young men of means in search of art, culture and the roots of Western civilization, this exhibition examines how the artists in the CRMA collection, both American and European, responded to the great sites of Europe. To Sept. 16

Malvina Hoffman: A Sculptor's Journey

From the museum's collection of works by 20th century sculptor Malvina Hoffman. To Aug. 31; 410 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

CHERRY BUILDING

Lost and Found, 2x2xU: My River, 2008

Free exhibition of 2x2xU public art panels recovered from the Floods of 2008. Some have been restored, some still show flood damage. Also includes a mural designed by Mel Andringa for the 'Moving Home” artistic response to the flood, presented in July 2008 on the Brucemore outdoor stage. To Saturday (6/16), first floor gallery, 329 10th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

CSPS GALLERIES

Morphing Murals of the Drawing Legion

Main Gallery exhibition showing how the Floods of 2008 continue to inform Mel Andringa's creative thinking; to July 29 and possibly through newbo evolve festival, Aug. 3 to 5. Extra: See a work in progress during a performed painting by Mel Andringa, 7 p.m. today (6/14); free admission.

GILDED PEAR GALLERY

Figured

This exhibit features works by Midwest artists Jim Ochs, Ann Royer and Priscilla Steele, interpreting the human form. While all three artists draw upon historical inspirations, each strays from realism to dissect the body into lines, blocks of color and blurring features. The exhibition largely features works on paper and canvas, but also features sculptures by Royer, who pulls inspiration from the caves of Lascaux. To Aug. 24; 808 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

HOOVER MUSEUM

Tallgrass to Knee High: A Century of Iowa Farming

Historical highlights of farming in Iowa and the Midwest from 1910 to our near future. To Oct. 28; 210 Parkside Dr., West Branch

Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio

Resident Artist Exhibitions

Each Resident Artist at the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio will be exhibiting a body of work made during their time at the facility in the Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Linda Ge: 'Contingere,” To June 23. Exploring the idea of tactility and the physical coalescence of ephemeral shadows, undulating forms and abrupt wisping lines. Opening reception: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 21.

NATIONAL CZECH & SLOVAK MUSEUM & LIBRARY

Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence

Showcasing a form of bead art developed by women living and working together in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The six featured artists call their 'paintings in beads” ndwangos. They work on a black background fabric, and by stretching this textile like a canvas, they transform flat cloth with Czech glass beads. To Sept. 17.

Guts & Glory: The War Train that Shaped a Nation

Multimedia exhibition highlights how 60,000 Czech and Slovak soldiers stranded in Russia banded together to provide crucial support for the Allied cause. To Dec. 31, museum's Petrik Gallery; 1400 Inspiration Place SW, Cedar Rapids.