registration required

Introduction to Figure Drawing with Lisa Towers

The Dubuque Museum of Art is excited to welcome back artist and instructor, Lisa Towers, to lead a three-week all levels drawing class on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 PM, on April 30th, May 7th, and May 14th.

This class will focus on studying the figure and learning how to create an abstract interpretation of the human form. You will begin by looking at examples from the past and present, including the work of artist Gerit Grimm, currently on display in the Falb Family gallery.

In the first exercise, you will learn to abstract the figure by drawing it as three-dimensional cubes with directional light while working in front of the ceramic sculptures by Grimm. This will be done in charcoal on newsprint.

In the second exercise, you will invent your own abstracted figures taking inspiration from Grimm's work and from other examples that will be shown. This exercise will be done in charcoal or graphite, heightened with white on toned paper.

The class is open to all levels including beginners (supplies will be available). If you have no drawing experience you will be tasked with simple studies and if you have experience you will be challenged at a suitable level. You will be encouraged to spend extra time drawing at the museum outside of class hours.

At the end of the class, you may choose to place your work on display in the lobby of the Museum with the exhibition being part of the closing reception celebrating our current home and its legacy.

Class is open to students from 12-17 (with parental permission) and adults. There are nude figures in the Grimm exhibition.

Register online by clicking this link. The cost for the three week class and materials is $125 for nonmembers and $110 for members.

An example artwork of the human figure reduced to basic cubic forms.
An example artwork of the human figure reduced to basic cubic forms.
A photo of a past class with Lisa Towers at DuMA. A row of participating students draw on large pads of paper as instructor Lisa Towers leans over to give feedback.

Introduction to Figure Drawing with Lisa Towers

The Dubuque Museum of Art is excited to welcome back artist and instructor, Lisa Towers, to lead a three-week all levels drawing class on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 PM, on April 30th, May 7th, and May 14th.

This class will focus on studying the figure and learning how to create an abstract interpretation of the human form. You will begin by looking at examples from the past and present, including the work of artist Gerit Grimm, currently on display in the Falb Family gallery.

In the first exercise, you will learn to abstract the figure by drawing it as three-dimensional cubes with directional light while working in front of the ceramic sculptures by Grimm. This will be done in charcoal on newsprint.

In the second exercise, you will invent your own abstracted figures taking inspiration from Grimm's work and from other examples that will be shown. This exercise will be done in charcoal or graphite, heightened with white on toned paper.

The class is open to all levels including beginners (supplies will be available). If you have no drawing experience you will be tasked with simple studies and if you have experience you will be challenged at a suitable level. You will be encouraged to spend extra time drawing at the museum outside of class hours.

At the end of the class, you may choose to place your work on display in the lobby of the Museum with the exhibition being part of the closing reception celebrating our current home and its legacy.

Class is open to students from 12-17 (with parental permission) and adults. There are nude figures in the Grimm exhibition.

Register online by clicking this link. The cost for the three week class and materials is $125 for nonmembers and $110 for members.

An example artwork of the human figure reduced to basic cubic forms.
An example artwork of the human figure reduced to basic cubic forms.
A photo of a past class with Lisa Towers at DuMA. A row of participating students draw on large pads of paper as instructor Lisa Towers leans over to give feedback.

Introduction to Figure Drawing with Lisa Towers

The Dubuque Museum of Art is excited to welcome back artist and instructor, Lisa Towers, to lead a three-week all levels drawing class on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 PM, on April 30th, May 7th, and May 14th.

This class will focus on studying the figure and learning how to create an abstract interpretation of the human form. You will begin by looking at examples from the past and present, including the work of artist Gerit Grimm, currently on display in the Falb Family gallery.

In the first exercise, you will learn to abstract the figure by drawing it as three-dimensional cubes with directional light while working in front of the ceramic sculptures by Grimm. This will be done in charcoal on newsprint.

In the second exercise, you will invent your own abstracted figures taking inspiration from Grimm's work and from other examples that will be shown. This exercise will be done in charcoal or graphite, heightened with white on toned paper.

The class is open to all levels including beginners (supplies will be available). If you have no drawing experience you will be tasked with simple studies and if you have experience you will be challenged at a suitable level. You will be encouraged to spend extra time drawing at the museum outside of class hours.

At the end of the class, you may choose to place your work on display in the lobby of the Museum with the exhibition being part of the closing reception celebrating our current home and its legacy.

Class is open to students from 12-17 (with parental permission) and adults. There are nude figures in the Grimm exhibition.

Register online by clicking this link. The cost for the three week class and materials is $125 for nonmembers and $110 for members.

An example artwork of the human figure reduced to basic cubic forms.
An example artwork of the human figure reduced to basic cubic forms.
A photo of a past class with Lisa Towers at DuMA. A row of participating students draw on large pads of paper as instructor Lisa Towers leans over to give feedback.

ANNUAL MEETING 2025

This year marks a tremendous transformation at DuMA as the Museum bids farewell to its current home, relocates temporarily to Dupaco Voices, and breaks ground on its new campus. At this year’s Annual Meeting, DuMA will provide updates on these major changes as well as preview the summer and fall programming and celebrate 25 years of exhibitions at 701 Locust.

All members are encouraged to attend.

Please register by clicking here.

Youth Design Workshop

Youth ages 8-14 are invited to participate in a hands-on design workshop with Nate Trevethan, DuMA’s landscape architect and principal at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. Participants will collaborate as a group with Nate to develop designs that will be incorporated into the gardens of the new Museum Campus opening in 2027.

Projects Nate has worked on for MVVA include Brooklyn Bridge Park, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park in Detroit, and Pennsylvania Avenue at the White House. Nate received a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University.

10AM for ages 8-10
1PM for ages 11-14
Session is expected to last 90 minutes

$5 materials fee. Space is limited.

Register:
8 – 10
https://square.link/u/SevV3l8F
11 – 14
https://square.link/u/l2ciIlvl

Concept image of a planned courtyard as part of the upcoming building expansion.

Architecture Tour: Des Moines

Universal Design, Arts, Parks, and Access

$35 for members of DuMA
$50 for guests
$25 for guests under 21
Free for 1874 society members

Join Jonathan Ramsey, DuMA’s associate architect from BNIM, on an architecture tour of three groundbreaking cultural sites in Des Moines. First, tour the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center with Director Matt Reed and learn about BNIM’s design for the Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University. The Harkin Center opened in 2020, thirty years after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and serves as model of inclusive design and citizen engagement.

From there, we’ll meet up with Senior Curator (and 2021 DuMA Biennial Juror) Laura Burkhalter to tour the Des Moines Art Center’s buildings designed by the twentieth-century masters Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier. We’ll also visit the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, which features work by more than twenty of the world’s most celebrated artists—including Keith Haring, Jaume Plensa, Ai Weiwei, and Yayoi Kusama.

The cost includes roundtrip bus travel, admissions, lunch, and tours. Click here to register. 

CRAFT INVITATIONAL 2024 OPENING CELEBRATION: Summer Artist’s Party

10 AM – 12 PM: Family activity “make and take” projects inspired by the exhibition. Free with Museum admission.

4 PM: Panel discussion with featured artists moderated by exhibition juror and glass artist Joe Ivacic. Free with Museum admission.

5 PM – 8 PM:
Summer Artist’s Party
$15 for members of DuMA
$20 for guests
$10 for guests under 21
Free for 1874 Society

Meet the Craft Invitational artists, visit the galleries, enjoy some music, and relish food prepared in the spirit of the exhibition: tradition with a twist.

Purchase Tickets Online

Craft Invitational 2024 June 29 through October 13
Craft Invitational 2024 June 29 through October 13

 

Art, Bikes, and Beer

Join Paul Schulhof & Az Rashidi
Principals of Schulhof Rashidi Architects
Designers of the Dubuque Museum of Art’s new art campus

In casual conversation fueled by our shared love of craft beer, bikes, art and the city

Tuesday, May 7
8PM

Bicycle World
1000 Jackson St
Hosted by David Hartig

Space is limited. RSVP here: https://form.jotform.com/241085839043054

Prior to the reception, join Paul and Az for their 6PM Dubuque Architecture Days presentation hosted by Dubuque Main Street at 7 Hills Event Center

Schulhof Rashidi Architects Paul Schulhof and Az Rashidi
Schulhof Rashidi Architects

(SOLD OUT)Youth Architecture Workshop

This workshop has sold out, however you may call the Museum front desk to be put on a wait list. The drop in pumpkin decorating and mask making workshop is free and open to all at 10 AM.

Is your child interested in architecture, buildings, and designing things? DuMA’s Community Day begins at 10 A.M. with a free children’s architecture workshop with Az Rashidi and Paul Schulhof, the architects designing the new museum campus.

Participants will share their ideas for the new Museum with Az and Paul and build their own models that describe their vision. Admission is free but advanced registration is required. Space is limited. Ages 9-13.

To register, click here: https://dbqart.square.site/product/youth-architecture-workshop-for-ages-9-13/1846