Driving north, I stopped at the Sioux City Art Center to see the Corn Room Murals from 1927 by…read moreGrant Wood. These delicate oil on canvas mounted on board panels of Iowa cornfields were rediscovered in 1979, saved, and removed from the local Martin Hotel in the 1980s. The vibrancy of the panels is no more. Seeing them in the small gallery here is like looking at ancient murals. The viewer is faced with the creamy yellows, tans, and browns but little detail remains. However, sit and gaze at these for a while, let your imagination help you, and you'll get a sense of how lovely these panels must have been. For the local community, this Grant Wood work, even in its diminished state, is an important historic and cultural touchstone. The Art Center itself is a nice space for exhibitions. The few here were more interesting than I expected. I was especially taken with Teo Nguyen's giant acrylic on vellum 'Lotus Pond,' from 2018-22.

Another small city art museum that pleasantly surprised me. It has a small permanent collection yet…read morehas some great pieces; including a Thomas Hart Benton that I wanted to see since hailing from Kansas City. They also had a whimsical temporary exhibit - "The Art of the Brick" with full scale sculptures made with Lego's, and an exhibit of area high school students that was truly awe inspiring with paintings, drawing and sculpture.The price was free, parking was easy and next to the interstate downtown. An easy and rewarding stop for anyone driving I-29. Nice job Sioux City!