Buzz

Every once in a while we hear from someone about how much they enjoy what we do here. So we thought we would share the good buzz...

02.06.10
Exhibits are beautifully prepared and of high quality.
-Doug & Karen

01.31.10
Enjoyed Grant Wood's works and the "Fifty" exhibit. What a wonderful addtion to your collection!
-Tim

01.28.10
Excellent Museum housing soem great works. Also has interesting shows.
-Diane

01.09.10
Great resource for the arts in Iowa. Very inspiring art!
-Sarah

12.29.09
A wonderful famil showcase. Malvina Hoffman is a favorite of mine.
-JoAnn

12.04.09
Please thank everyone at the Museum for four wonderful days of tours. I know that my classes on Tuesday and Friday had a wonderful time. The Docents were very knowledgeable and great with the students. Again thank you and will be talking next year about scheduling tours.
-Dawn

11.17.09
We were able to visit the museum on Election Day for the Norman Rockwell exhibit. It was fantastic! I loved the way the space was laid out, clear for adults and room for kids to run back-and-forth from photo to painting to put it all together. The media room was informative and inviting, also. Thank you for putting together a great exhibit and a nice walk back in history for Cedar Rapids.
-Sayde

10.06.09
Thank you for giving our kids the chance to experience something new and beautiful. I was with the group of boys from the Bridge and was able to watch them as they learned about Norman Rockwell and his art. I believe this connection will invite the children to be more aware of how art expresses the human experience. Thank you for providing this great opportunity.
-Mary Beth

09.28.09
I want to thank the museum for the Family Fun Day on Saturday. The event was a great opportunity for kids to associate the museum as a fun place where kids are welcomed and encouraged to visit and have fun. I attended with my children and we had an excellent time drawing and walking through the main gallery. Being able to draw inside the museum and to see other children also having fun, will provide my kids with a very positive memory of the museum and an interest in returning.
-Tom

09.25.09
It has some fine American works (Grant Wood), well presented. Anyone visiting Cedar Rapids should pay the CRMA a visit.
-Anonymous

09.20.09
Display of art is wonderful-easy to see-clear and easy to enjoy.
-Sharon

09.01.09
Lovely building, arrangement, artifacts, etc.
-Kate

09.01.09
Visiting from Oregon and enjoyed the whole experience.
-Marolyn

08.19.09
Malvina Hoffman collection was a real surprise-wonderful!
-Bob

08.14.09
A treasure to CR.
-Shirlee

08.04.09
Interesting exhibits by local artists, well laid out space, not too busy.
-Christian

07.22.09
Loved the John Buck exhibit & Museum Store, as well as the Grant Wood.
-Dana

07.21.09
Very much enjoyed the eclectic quality of your exhibits.
-Anonymous

07.02.09
My parents were here (visiting from NW Detroit area) and I took them to see the John Buck exhibit and they were thrilled and pleased they were able to see it. Couldn't say enough good things about it....So, thanks !
 -Sally

06.23.09
Docents were kind, patient and knowledgeable!
-Rebbeca

06.20.09
NCSML exhibit is fabulous! Thanks for housing it!
-Maria

06.08.09
Mark Messner's presentation was great. He is an excellent speaker and presenter. We really enjoyed the seminar. Looking forward to being able to attend others of interest. 
-Marianne

06.05.09
Special exhibits interest me most, and this one on John Buck was fascinating and beautiful.
-Anonymous

06.04.09
The variety of shows was great. Hoffman's sculpture was sublime, the Roman pieces rich and John Buck contemporary/provacative.
-Colorado tourists and art lovers

06.04.09
Just saw the John Buck Iconography exhibit @CRmuseumofART , it's a must see!
-Jenn

05.03.09
Interesting array of photos and excellent film detailing background and contemporary culture. As always, an excellent, well-designed exhibit--timely in its presentation.
-Mary

04.30.09
I liked the phone exhibit, it brought back memories.
-Anonymous

03.24.09
Due to the flood the ability to still hold such a magnificent exhibit is amazing!
-Anonymous

03.17.09
Love Tom Jackson! Very talented artist!
-iowa.com (via Twitter)

02.24.09
Iranian exhibit was a very interesting look into another culture.
-P. Bode

01.30.09
I have lived in CR for 54 years and the flood impact still leaves me speechless. Thank you for the flood display.
-Anonymous

01.30.09
Wonderful flood exhibit! Really enjoyed Mary GrandPré exhibit too.
-Jenn

01.07.09
We just got back from the CRMA field trip and I want to tell you how much we all enjoyed it. I think the kids saw and learned a lot. Your docents were very good, patient, consistent and really knew their topics, so they could answer any questions that the kids had. I appreciate all your efforts to make this visit a reality for our students, some who had never been there before, so eyes were really opened up to the world of art in a big new way. Thanks for a job well done!
-Dee

12.20.08
Free days allow access to those that would otherwise not afford the Museum. Thank you for the wonderful Family Fun Day!
-Shelley

12.12.08
The flood exhibit was amazing and Mary GrandPré was wonderful. Thank you for being here!
-Jolene

11.29.08
Well presented. Question sheet for the kids to fill out kept them involved. Thank you!
-Anonymous

11.26.08
Excellent exhibit on the flood. Striking photos, and the sequence is helpful in understand the timeline and extent of the damage.
-Jim

10.16.08
First of all, I wanted to pass along to you a comment from my parents - they were in town this past weekend and I took them to the CRMA for the flood photos and the All Star exhibits.  They were very impressed with the entire trip to the CRMA - from the moment we walked in and were greeted to the moment we left the gift shop.  They commented several times since we were there how much they enjoyed it.  Kudos to you and your staff.
-Robert

10.13.08
I was in Cedar Rapids on Saturday visiting my parents, and we stopped in at the museum to view the Gazette flood photos and other exhibits.  You are making lemonade with lemons in such a wonderful way!  I couldn’t believe how many people were there (on a beautiful Saturday afternoon) to see the photos, including groups of young people who were obviously in town to help with flood cleanup, and at least one couple I spoke to who had traveled from “the other end of the state.”  You are providing a great gift to your community with that exhibit, and I’d guess you are drawing in people who are new to the museum…and they are filtering into the other open galleries, as well, from what I saw. Congrats to you and your staff for exhibiting such care and connection to your community.
-Mary

09.24.08
Just wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed the floral arranging class with Lori on Sunday. Everyone loved it and we hope the Art Museum will offer a similar class with her in the future. I think a holiday arrangement would be lots of fun. The arrangements we brought home would cost far more than what we paid for the classs. Mine still looks glorious. So glad I could make it.
-Ida

07.02.08
I just wanted to write a little note of thanks, twenty-some years after the fact. When I was a girl, my family was traveling through Iowa. On a whim, we stopped at your museum. I can't say I was enthusiastic...at first. It turned out that you had a scavenger hunt of sorts, to engage children in the artwork displayed in the museum. It worked! I have never had so much fun in an art museum, before or since, and I have never forgotten how interesting and engaging that activity was. Thank you for helping to inspire a love of museums in a young girl (now a homeschooling more of three!).
-Mae

06.26.08
Thank you so much for your wonderful guidance on our recent visit to the Art Museum and Grant Wood Studio. What a treasure for our students to learn about and important local arts with nation-wide recognition. The students were especially happy to learn and see the studio and our guides were very helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks again.
-Diane, Polk Elementary

02.21.08
My kids and I had such a great time at the free day and we look forward to exploring all that the Museum has to offer.
-Liz

Family Fun Day 02.02.08

We enjoyed our visit and we always like to do fun things that teach us something.  Dad enjoyed places to sit and watch us!  We enjoyed the collage making, scavenger fun and PRIZES, plus the egg-eating snake story.
-Julie

We enjoyed the "family together" activity at no cost. Our daughter is getting older and we want to expose her more to art.
-Cory & Beth

We enjoyed the activities and passport theme. Wonderful facility.
-Anonymous

There were so many activities for my kids. It was a wonderful cultural adventure!
-Anonymous

We enjoyed the diversity.  It was a good learning resource for my three girls.
-Abigail

We enjoyed the exhibits and can suggest no improvements for the activities. The staff was nice and the exhibits were great.  Keep up the good work!
-Amy

We enjoyed the Johnson School of the Arts project and the wonderful volunteers throughout the building.  We will come back for a visit to inculcate a love of art in my children and to feed my love of art. Thank you.  I truly enjoy our museum and frequent it often.
-Anonymous

We enjoyed the variety!  Well-staffed.
-Bob

My family enjoyed making collages and the Hidden Art sheet.  This was an excellent opportunity for our children to have exposure to art.  We often take for granted what we have in CR.
-Lydia

I enjoyed the Grant Wood and Marvin Cone exhibit.  It is a beautiful museum and I was impressed by the exhibits.
-J.

Very good storyteller with facial expressions, voice animation, and good eye contact. His story would make a play! Very nice employees in each room. They were smiling and attentive.
-Anonymous

01.08.08
I just wanted to let you know that I popped over to the CRMA website this morning, coffee in hand, and was shocked to see the awesome update. It's very pretty, easy to use and I like it a lot. My complements to the designer and interjection of new information.
-Sarah

11.29.07
Thank you so much. We had a great time yesterday. It was interesting today to discuss which exhibits the students liked best. Laurie Hogin was a favorite, but a lot of them like Ulfert Wilke. For some, it was just a specific painting. You have a wondeful museum and staff. Again, thank you for your hospitality.
-Dawn and the Notre Dame High School Art Students

08.30.07
I live in Mpls. and whenever I come to or through Cedar Rapids, I go to the museum.  You blew my socks off with the Cat exhibit [clothing made from exciting and unexpected materials.......I had never heard of her and had never seen anything like it].
-MP

05.23.07
I came to the family day at the Museum and I just wanted to tell you it was wonderful. Our daughters really enjoyed everything that was available to them. Thank you for putting on such a great day.
-Shannon

05.09.07
In regards to the two free weeks of admission…Please extend my thanks to True North for making this possible. Yesterday I was in the gallery viewing the Zerzanek exhibit one last time before it came down and I saw several children and parents enjoying the Museum due to this free admission opportunity.
-Lori

04.25.07
As a member I want to say "thanks" for the Hidden Treasures exhibit. It is unique collection and true Cedar Rapids treasure than many residents know, or should I say knew, nothing about. I hope it can be repeated in the future with some of the other works. Great job!
-Marilyn

10.26.06
Just wanted you to know that we had a great time in Cedar Rapids. Your information helped me to plan a wonderful trip. We met Casey in the Museum store and had an insightful conversation. He was open, friendly and full of stories. Thanks for making our trip delightful.
-Deanna

07.31.06
Thank you SO much for such a speed response to my inquiry about my parent’s anniversary! The will just love coming to the Museum of Art again. I enjoy it every time I go. It seems to be a place one can go over and over. Each time, I see something different in each of the paintings. My mother is a painter just like my grandmother was, so they both have a great appreciation for art.
-John

07.26.06
Just want to say how much our family enjoyed the Cat Chow exhibit. It’s so fun and creative and refreshing and provocative and lovely. Best exhibit I’ve seen anywhere in a long time!
-Karen

06.26.06
Thank you for a truly memorable evening. I attended the fashion show with my 12-year-old daughter. We had a wonderful time talking about fashion. We were both impressed with Cat Chow’s use of materials. This event will be a treasured memory of tiem well spent with my daughter.
-Amanda

05.12.06
Hello! I am a Grant Wood fanatic. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the GW exhibit at the Smithsonian/Renwick Gallery last week-in town for the Board of Regents Dinner. As much as I enjoy good food and good company, it was hard to tear me away from the stunning and compelling colletion. I’m thinking a trip to Cedar Rapids and to your museum MUST be in my future. What a wonderful destination you are…I cannot imagine a more fulfilling field trip than to your venerated institution; I got just a taste of it in DC. Thank you!
-Margaret

02.24.06
Thank you so very much for all that you did last November to help make our visit to the Grant Wood exhibit so wonderful. I brought 32 high school students, each of which really enjoyed the experience. I’d also like to let everyone know who excellent the special Grant Wood exhibit was, and how much my students enjoyed all aspects of the show. The docents did a great job of pointing out interesting information about selected works in each area of the exhibit. Thanks so much! We were fascinated with the tour of Grant’s studio also.
-Annis

01.03.06
In mid-November, my sister and I spent the best part of a day in Cedar Rapids, enjoying the Grant Wood Exhibit at 5 Turner Alley. The exhibit was a beautifully arranged stroll through Grant Wood’s life. Seeing the well-put-together video prior to viewing the exhibit added immensely to our enjoyment. Visiting 5 Turner Alley just rounded out the experience. His paintings are true works of art and we feel we saw more than one masterpiece that day. For bringing home "American Gothic" and arranging such a wonderful exhibit, I thank you on behalf of my sister, who is now back home in upstate New York, and myself.
-Patricia

01.12.06
Thanks so much for letting us come to the CRMA today. We had a lovely time (I, myself, was in heaven and several of my students noticed!) Our docents were wonderful and the kids were really interested in what they learned. How lucky we are to have experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity.
-Heather

11.30.05
Right now, the Grant Wood display is going on. It is really a great event! Not to be missed! My kids even enjoyed it though I think my daughter liked the gift shop best.
-Sally

11.22.05
What a wonderful experience. Thank you for the Grant Wood Sunday…it was more than I expected. I felt so at home. Having grown up in rural Iowa, I now know why I feel so connected to the land. Memories I will cherish forever. The exhibit was beyond wonderful. Thank you.
-Nancy

11.09.05
The current Grant Wood exhibit is something that should not be missed. The museum itself has a lot of local artwork, from Grant Wood, to Marvin Cone, to some more current works. It’s fun to take friends from out of town to visit the museum and gift shop.
-Kate

11.07.05
I just returned from Cedar Rapids to my home in Oregon after attending the "Grant Wood at 5 Turner Alley" exhibition.  I felt compelled to write to you to tell you what an utter triumph I thought the show was.  As an avid appreciator and collector of art, I usually attend several exhibitions a year and have had the pleasure of attending the Edward Hopper exhibition in Cologne as well as the Dali exhibition in Philadelphia earlier this year.  I felt that the Cedar Rapids Art Museum's Grant Wood exhibition was every bit their equal.  What a pleasure it was to see so many of the works I had read about it but, with a few exceptions, never had the chance to see in person, which, of course, there is no substitute for.  To see the evolution of his art in its myriad of forms and the majesty of his more mature works replete with their cheeky humor was a terrific treat.
-Rick

11.03.05
Okay, what can you say about any small museum that manages to land a stay with American Gothic? Wonderful! Having said that, I am impressed that they have managed to avoid falling into the "Grant Wood Only" trap that would be so easy to do considering that he lived and worked here. Kudos to Terry Pitts for a job well done.
-Melanie

10.11.05

Today, October 11, I accompanied my granddaughter’s fourth grade class (Denver Elementary) on a field trip to Cedar Rapids Museum of Art to see the Grant Wood Exhibit. What a wonderful experience it was for both the children and the adults. Our guide in the forenoon was right on target in the kind of information she shared with the students and the way she got them to interact with the art. Our tour of the studio was equally impressive. Our guide displayed exceptional skill in working with young children. Her use of imagery had the children visualizing exactly how Grant Wood’s life played out in the tiny apartment. As a retired teacher, this was my first "for fun" field trip. It matched and exceeded all expectations.
-Sally

10.10.05
The Washington High School Warrior Women’s Cross Country team want to thank you for the great visit to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art last Friday afternoon. The girls were very surprised to be invited inside after our "steeplechase run." They felt that the Grant Wood exhibit was just an answer to a question and then it sank in that we were actually going inside to visit. As you can tell, we were all thrilled to be able to have this special visit. Your staff was great and my team has another special experience to carry them into adulthood.
-Dave

10.04.05
After reading an article in the Chicago Tribune about the Grant Wood exhibit, my husband and I made a weekend trip to Cedar Rapids (our first time to your city) to see the show. I’m not generally a letter writer, but I wanted to take a moment this morning to tell you that we thoroughly enjoyed it and would put it on a par with any of the many special exhibits we have sene at the Chicago Art Institute over the years. Although we have seen American Gothic numerous times and consider ourselves Grant Wood fans, we were not familiar with many of his other works on display, some of which, I must say, I liked even better than American Gothic. In addition to the show, we drove past Grant Wood’s studio and also paid our respects to his gravesite. I said to my husband, "I really am beginning to feel like I know this man." Thank you, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, for putting on this wonderful show.
-Jennifer

09.22.05
My children and I always enjoy a visit to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. The recent exhibit on Roman art and culture was very interesting and the audiotape was an added bonus. We also enjoy seeing the works of local artists such as Marvin Cone. We can’t wait to check out the new Grant wood exhibit. It’s a fun and educational way to spend an afternoon.
-Andrea

Would you like your experience at the CRMA to become a part of the Buzz? If so, email Communications Coordinator, Kristan Hellige at khellige@crma.org.

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