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A Fair Art Fair
Above: The Iowa State Fair fine art display, 1906. Iowa State Fair photograph collection (PH5000.1039), State Historical Society of Iowa,
Celebrating art for art’s sake is perhaps the Iowa State Fair’s best feature.
Des Moines Below: Shawn Palek’s portrait
BY JOHN BUSBEE
of ’80s motorcycle artist and stuntman
S
hawn Palek doesn’t enter competitions any longer. Lately, he prefers to sponsor shows and competitions for emerging artists, mentoring many. He continues to paint new works, with many murals to his credit. But in the early 2000s, the contemporary visual artist and arts advocate decided to venture into the Iowa State Fair Fine Arts Competition. The Iowa State Fair (ISF) may be Iowa’s most inclusive legacy of art for art’s sake. Each year, hundreds of artists from across Iowa submit their works to share with arguably the most intense patron visitation of arts the state has to offer. In its 11 days, the fair will attract more than a million visitors. While not all of them will wander the vast displays of artwork in the Patty & Jim Cownie Cultural Center, at least tens of thousands will explore its hallowed, creative halls, enjoying the diversity of expression. The ISF presents several categories, including Fine Art and Photography, Wood Projects and 14 August 2022 LITTLEVILLAGEMAG.COM/LVDSM5
Lawrence DeSmedt, a.k.a. “Indian Larry,”
more. In Fine Art, Palek’s division, Adult subcategories include acrylic/tempera, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil painting, pastels, pottery, original hand pulled prints, sculpture and watercolor, none of which quite fit Palek’s work. There are separate Youth, Junior and Children groups. Registration fees are involved, and cash prizes are awarded, including the coveted Best of Show, which spans all disciplines. What makes the ISF’s categorization and process so equitable is how it judges entrants. It is blind judging; signatures/names are covered. If a judge recognizes the style of an artist they know, then another judge would evaluate that work. Any biases about a registrant’s ethnicity, gender, etc. are avoided, allowing the artwork to be evaluated on its merits. The roots of the Fair Fairfield hosted the first state fair in 1854. The first mention of fine arts was the 1860 Iowa City
won Best of Show at the 2005 Iowa State Fair Fine Arts Competition. Palek Studios
