News

 Akwi Nji of Cedar Rapids, Iowa is coming to share words of inspiration with our local creators for a keynote titled ‘Radically Re-imagine and Re-engage with your Art Practice’. Akwi shared, “Change is in the air. There’s no better time than now to take a close look at your art practice, honor where you’ve been, and refresh your focus on where you’re headed. Let’s talk real talk about what you can do to sharpen your focus, refine your goals, and create what’s uniquely yours to create. This’ll be a down-to-earth talk doubling as a jetpack of inspiration and motivation to fuel your art practice. Whatever your medium and wherever you are in your artistic journey, this is for you.”

The evening begins with the Iowa Arts Council’s ‘Meet the Artist’ Series from 4-6pm. The five Iowa Artist Fellows will have their work on display and give a presentation from 4:30-5:30pm. This portion of the evening is free and open to the public.

The remainder of the evening is special for Marshall County Artists (free):

• 6pm – Keynote Speaker, Akwi Nji, Radically Re-imagine and Re-engage with your Art Practice
• 7pm – Social Gathering at Wayward Social

Executive Director of the Arts & Culture Alliance shared, “we are dedicated to supporting, amplifying and connecting local artists. No matter your medium (musicians, visual and performing artists, etc.), if you are an emerging artist, have been working as a professional artist for years, or aren’t sure you would even call yourself an artist (yet), we want to see you there.”

Akwi is an artist creating in words, voice, and visual art. She specializes in creative personal narrative storytelling across artistic mediums and through producing and curating community-focused arts programming. Her work and words have appeared on stage from California’s Wine Country to New York’s Fashion Week. As a writer, voice artist, performer, and producer her collaborative partners include Emmy-award winning composers and nationally-renowned dancers and choreographers. She has been an Iowa Arts Council Fellow and, for her efforts in the business community, she was named one of Corridor Business Journal’s Forty Under 40.
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As stated in a recent editorial column from local artist and Arts & Culture Alliance Board Member, Josh Cox, “Marshalltown has the potential to become a true cultural powerhouse for Central Iowa, but in order for that to happen, our local artist community has to take an active role in shaping and building that vision.”

The Arts & Culture Alliance invites the creative community to join us. As stated in the Arts & Culture Master Plan, a community that dreams together, grows together. All of us are the creative community – join in and take pART!

For more information and details about the event visit: www.artsandculturealliance.org/experience
Add the event to your calendar on Facebook!