Fort Madison Area Art Association

Village Art Group Show

Opening Reception: Friday, September 8th, 2023 5-7pm

Lunch ala Art Artist Talk: Friday, September 29, Noon | Lunch $10 reservations recommended

FINALE: featuring Mariachi and Jazz

Saturday, September 30, 7-9 pm | no charge BYOB

Village Art is a group show on display at the FMAAA Art Center for the month of September. This exhibition features 2D and 3D work by artists from the Fort Madison Mexican village including Sheri Lozano-Dobbs, Jacob Cangas, Trevor Prado, Nikki Ponce and Renay Domingez. The Opening of this show is Friday, September 8^th, from 5pm to 7pm. Opening Receptions at the Art Center are always open to the public and everyone is invited to come meet the artists that are able to be on hand and enjoy some light refreshments while they view the show. The FMAAA Art Center, located at 825 Ave G in Fort Madison, is very excited to host this show during the month that also includes the annual Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta. This exhibition represents a collaboration by members of the Mexican Fiesta Committee along with the Art Center to draw attention to an important part of Fort Madison’s cultural heritage. The exhibit features vibrant contemporary work by artists whose families started and grew in the village. Each artist approaches their studio practice from a different perspective. The FMAAA Art Center is excited to bring their work together to be in conversation with each other, reflecting in some ways on a common heritage and shining an enduring light forward on futures still unfolding.

Sheri Lozano-Dobbs has been part of the local art scene in Fort Madison for many years. She has participated in the Fort Madison Area Arts Association’s garden tours, exhibitions, and art auctions. She was a featured artist in the Great River Health Systems Art Show. Lozano-Dobbs continues to volunteer and work as an arts instructor for the FMAAA. Her mediums vary between paint and paper including acrylics, tissue paper, paper mâché, and found object recycling with mixed media. Artists that have influenced Lozano-Dobbs are Vincent Van Gogh, Diego Rivera, and contemporary artist Evita Tezeno. Lozano-Dobbs was born and raised in Fort Madison, Iowa and now has five grown daughters and three grandchildren. Since childhood, Lozano-Dobbs has turned to art as a form of expression of her feelings, ideas and experiences. Art is an important way for her to share her culture. Her art training began with local arts instructors Jim Knapp and Lorraine Lowenburg. Lozano-Dobbs went on to attend Southeastern Community College (SCC) in Burlington, Iowa where she studied under Professor John Bybee.

Jacob Edward Cangas of Des Moines, Iowa has a full schedule as a reseller and stay-at-home Dad. Still, he has always been compelled to create, always managing to make something out of very little. He uses this creative outlet as catharsis. At other times, his creative energy just takes over and he is compelled. Currently he paints, sketches, and explores using oil-based paints, ink and acrylic. He states about his ongoing art practice, “There is generally no direction only destination.”

Trevor Prado’s work is from his current collection entitled Daydreaming. He states, “Growing up in the village made a huge impact on my life as an artist. From watching my aunts and uncles cooking food, to making art, and having both sides of my family living down on that side of town. You could say it is a place that I’ll always call home.” He further describes, “As an artist I try to connect with my audience through experiences, colors, and imagery. Pieces vary from confusing bundles of nature to late night, restless, digital pieces. Flowers have always been a huge favorite of mine to paint because I am allergic to most. This show is a little bit of everything.” Prado resides in Denver, Colorado.

Local regional artist, Nicole (Nikki) Ponce is excited to share her work with the community during this group exhibition. “Like many artists,” Ponce says, “my work has grown and changed throughout my life.” Ponce describes her current process as, “making spontaneous marks that represent happiness. The work starts with photographs that stir up a positive emotional response. From that initial response, I draw using a technique called blind contour. After reviewing those lines and making adjustments, I began to paint using acrylic.” Ponce loves bold lines and bold colors that reinforce her printmaking background. Nichole Ponce graduated with a Master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 2006 and has been teaching at Carl Sandburg College for the last 13 years. 

Renay Lozano-Dominguez has a completely different approach to her practice using rocks as her medium as she develops a range of rock sculptures. She lives on the orphanage grounds that she and her husband built in a small farming community in Central Chihuahua, Mexico. The village is called Rancho de Borjas and is where they are currently raising 20 orphans. Lozano-Dominguez states, “God has given me the vision to create rock sculptures from the rocks I find on our orphanage grounds…I do all my work for the Glory of God only naming pieces that are extra special to me.” Lozano-Domingues has lived in Mexico for nine years but always considers Fort Madison as her home and emphasizes family. “I come from first generation Mexican Americans. Both sets of my grandparents migrated from Mexico in the early 1900’s. I have four grown daughters and now nine grandchildren. They are the loves of my life.”

Village Art will be on display at the Fort Madison Area Arts Association (FMAAA) through September 30^th. The Art Center is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am to 5pm, closed on Sunday and Monday. Lunch ala Art is an artist talk luncheon accompanying most exhibits. It will be held on Friday, September 29 at 12pm. Reservations are recommended for the lunch. There is no requirement to attend the luncheon if you would just like to hear the Artist talk (begining  approximately 40 minutes later). Lunch ala Art will be catered by Moma Knows with pork tamales and veggie enchiladas, rice and beans, along with a delicious confection by Sheri Lozano-Dobbs for dessert. FINALE, a performance evening held each month at the FMAAA Art Center, will feature a Mariachi Band as an authentic way to celebrate the work of these artists and end the month. The FMAAA expresses gratitude to the Fort Madison Mexican Fiesta and the Latin American Club, LULAC 304 for their sponsorship and coordination of this month’s exhibition.