Marshalltown Municipal Airport
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Just as the Marshalltown Municipal Airport connects the world to Marshalltown, local artist, Melissa (Missy) Sharer-Pieters is connecting her art to the world. For its inaugural display, the airport is showcasing 16 of her acrylic paintings in the terminal lobby. The work will remain on the walls until Friday, August 30. They are available for viewing, Monday-Friday, 7:30 am until 6:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The showing is through a partnership between the Arts & Culture Alliance and the Airport.
A little less than two years ago it was but a pipe dream. The Alliance Board of Directors knew it was a good idea but weren’t quite ready to act on it. About that time, Steve Valbracht, Co-owner of Marshalltown Aviation, Inc., called Executive Director, Amber Danielson with the suggestion the Airport display the work of a local artist. |
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He spoke about the number of executives who fly into the airport for meetings with Marshalltown’s national and international companies and figured showcasing a local artist would be a great way to promote the arts in the area. Danielson immediately agreed and plans were put in place.
“We are sincerely excited to work with the Arts and Cultural Alliance in featuring local talent in the terminal building. We’re so proud to have the opportunity to showcase a local artist as well as share the story of the Alliance to visitors of our community,” Valbracht stated. He is currently on the Alliance Board.
Sharer-Pieters, who was on the Alliance Board during this brainstorming process, quickly volunteered to be the first artist for the pilot phase of the program. “It’s been such an honor to be involved as the debut artist. And it’s so cool to be exhibiting at the airport which is such a hidden gem in this community. I’m excited to see the works of other area artists in the future.”
Danielson says that if this exhibit proves successful, it will be rolled out to other local business locations and artists in the future. “We’re counting on people getting excited about this. It’s like taking a field trip to an art gallery only the art gallery at an airport.” All Sharer-Pieters paintings are for sale.
Full Press Release
Location
Marshalltown Municipal Airport
2651 170th Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
“We are sincerely excited to work with the Arts and Cultural Alliance in featuring local talent in the terminal building. We’re so proud to have the opportunity to showcase a local artist as well as share the story of the Alliance to visitors of our community,” Valbracht stated. He is currently on the Alliance Board.
Sharer-Pieters, who was on the Alliance Board during this brainstorming process, quickly volunteered to be the first artist for the pilot phase of the program. “It’s been such an honor to be involved as the debut artist. And it’s so cool to be exhibiting at the airport which is such a hidden gem in this community. I’m excited to see the works of other area artists in the future.”
Danielson says that if this exhibit proves successful, it will be rolled out to other local business locations and artists in the future. “We’re counting on people getting excited about this. It’s like taking a field trip to an art gallery only the art gallery at an airport.” All Sharer-Pieters paintings are for sale.
Full Press Release
Location
Marshalltown Municipal Airport
2651 170th Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Melisa (Missy) Sharer-Pieters of Laurel, IA
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Missy is a 1987 graduate of Marshalltown High School and has a bachelor of arts in studio art from Grinnell College and an associate of arts from Marshalltown Community College in journalism/communications. She began her artistic career as a graphic artist at AEA6 in Marshalltown for over a decade followed by a stint with the Des Moines Water Works from 2003-06. She is currently the sole proprietor of Messy Missy’s Studio in Marshalltown since 2006. Her greatest artistic influences were her aunt and uncle, Teresa & Art Benoit of Marshalltown. Both are deceased, but she spent most of her formative years every Saturday painting with them in their studio who she credits for her developed love of painting, especially with water colors and acrylics. Later, her artistic style was greatly influenced by instructor Robert McKibben. She has shown her works throughout Iowa and the Midwest, as well as a few appearances down south, in particular at various shows in New Orleans. She is married to John Pieters and has two stepsons, Brock & Lincoln. Her and John also dabble in another form of artistic expression as restaurateurs. They are the owners of a small farm-to-table occasional restaurant in Laurel named Pitchfork.
Missy's Contact Info - m_sharer2002@yahoo.com / 641-691-5205 Facebook - Messy Missy's |
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Program Guidelines
Coming Soon!
Artist Application
Coming Soon!
For more information, please contact Amber Danielson, Executive Director, Marshall County Arts and Cultural Alliance at
641-752-2787 or email: director@artsandculturalalliance.org.
641-752-2787 or email: director@artsandculturalalliance.org.
