Clear Lake Arts Center

Clear Lake Arts Center Free to visit, the Clear Lake Arts Center is for all to enjoy and encourage creativity. Visiting is FREE!

Located in downtown Clear Lake, Iowa, the Clear Lake Arts Center is a unique and engaging facility with several art galleries, a gift shop hosting the work of local artists, studios for adult and children art programs, workshops and classes, a performing arts wing for the community and visitors to enjoy. Relying on the support of our membership, our 501(c)3 non-profit organization is a North Iowa

cultural, social, and economic resource that provides a space where everyone is welcome to browse, to be inspired, to create, to discover, to explore, to learn, to practice, to perform, to observe and to innovate.

What a LUSH night! 🌸🎨Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of 'Lush Layers' and floral installat...
05/31/2026

What a LUSH night! 🌸🎨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of 'Lush Layers' and floral installation of 'Petals & Patterns'. We were thrilled to welcome such an incredible crowd to celebrate the intersection of art, nature, and community.

Guests enjoyed the stunning floral oil paintings of artist Jess Quinn alongside fresh floral and foliage installations created by Central Gardens of North Iowa, Katie Casey Designs, and The Red Geranium. The energy in the galleries, the thoughtful conversations, and the overwhelming support for the arts made for an unforgettable evening.

If you missed the reception, there's still plenty of time to experience these remarkable exhibitions. 'Lush Layers' and 'Petals & Patterns' will remain on view through June 27, offering visitors the chance to explore the beauty, color, and inspiration that bloom throughout our galleries.

Featured Floral Installations
Katie Casey Designs: June 4 - 6
The Red Geranium: June 11–13
Central Gardens of North Iowa: June 18 - 20
Group Show: June 25 - 27

Finale Weekend
June 25–27
A collaborative display featuring select arrangements from all participating partners.

Stop in, bring a friend, and see what everyone is talking about!

Clear Lake Arts Center
On view through June 27
Tuesday–Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM

Thank you for helping keep the arts thriving in Clear Lake

Art Out the Door!Here at the Clear Lake Arts Center, artwork is always on the move. Our main Hanson Gallery Exhibitions ...
05/30/2026

Art Out the Door!

Here at the Clear Lake Arts Center, artwork is always on the move. Our main Hanson Gallery Exhibitions rotates 4-6 weeks, and our front galleries in the same fashion or with the season up to 3 months. Works rotate in and out, displays change, and sometimes the perfect piece finds its person just in time. That’s why there is always value in taking a peek around often, and see what’s on the walls before it’s gone!

Lucky for Ben, he happened to cross paths with 'Survivor' by local artist, Carol Miculinich. Just before it was time for the piece to come off the floor, and now has found its new home.

Thank you, Ben, for being a patron of the arts and one of the Clear Lake Arts Center’s newest board members! Beyond supporting local artists, Ben has been showing up week after week as a volunteer. Doing everything from sticking tags on newly arrived artwork to hard wiring our audio system.

We truly couldn’t do what we do without volunteers and supporters like Ben. Thank you for helping keep the arts alive, accessible, and thriving in Clear Lake.

Stop in often, you never know what might be heading out the door next.

🌸 DON’T MISS TONIGHT! 🌸The Opening Reception for Petals & Patterns and Lush Layers is happening TONIGHT from 5–7 PM at t...
05/29/2026

🌸 DON’T MISS TONIGHT! 🌸

The Opening Reception for Petals & Patterns and Lush Layers is happening TONIGHT from 5–7 PM at the Clear Lake Arts Center!

Meet featured artist Jess Quinn, whose exhibition Lush Layers fills the Hanson Gallery with breathtaking large-scale floral oil paintings celebrating the depth, movement, and quiet strength of nature. Jess will share a few words about her work at 6:00 PM.

Inspired by the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Art in Bloom, Petals & Patterns pairs Jess's paintings with stunning fresh floral and foliage arrangements created in collaboration with Central Gardens of North Iowa, Katie Casey Designs, and The Red Geranium.

Opening Reception
May 29 | 5–7 PM
Artist Remarks at 6:00 PM
Clear Lake Arts Center

Enjoy an evening where art and nature bloom together, meet the artist, and be among the first to experience this month-long celebration of creativity and community.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations supporting the Clear Lake Arts Center and Central Gardens of North Iowa are strongly encouraged.

Love art. Love community.

Don't miss one of the sculptures at Central Gardens of North Iowa! 'Syringa Vulgaris' by Annastacia (Stacia) Iverson. A...
05/29/2026

Don't miss one of the sculptures at Central Gardens of North Iowa!

'Syringa Vulgaris' by Annastacia (Stacia) Iverson. An Iowa artist currently working towards their BFA degree in sculpture at the University of Northern Iowa with plans to continuing education in the arts and pursue an MFA. They have worked on several public art pieces independently, and at UNI’s Public Art Incubator.

Stacia Iverson's Statement

"Syringa Vulgaris' is based on the common lilac, one of my favorite flowers. When designing this sculpture I wanted to create something that would reflect my lived experiences, while also challenging my skills as an artist. Springtime is my favorite time of the year as I love watching the earth come back to life!

With this sculpture I wanted to preserve the beauty of springtime all year long so that it can be enjoyed even through the harsh winter."

Take advantage of the warm weather and venture over to Central Gardens!

Petals & PatternsIn collaboration with Lush Layers, an exhibition by artist Jess QuinnSupported by Central Gardens of No...
05/28/2026

Petals & Patterns
In collaboration with Lush Layers, an exhibition by artist Jess Quinn

Supported by Central Gardens of North Iowa, Katie Casey Designs, and The Red Geranium
Hosted at the Clear Lake Arts Center

May 29 – June 27, 2026

Join us for a month-long celebration of art and nature with Petals & Patterns.

Located in the Hanson Gallery, Lush Layers by Jess Quinn features large-scale floral oil paintings that explore depth, movement, and the quiet strength found in the natural world. Built through rich layers of blended paint, each work invites viewers to slow down, look closer, and experience the beauty within the details.

Inspired by the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Art in Bloom, this exhibition is paired with fresh floral and foliage arrangements that echo the intention and spirit of the artwork.

Opening Reception
May 29 | 5–7 PM
Experience a full gallery of floral interpretations from all partners alongside the exhibition.

Featured Floral Installations
Group Show: May 29 5 - 7PM
Katie Casey Designs: June 4 - 6
The Red Geranium: June 11–13
Central Gardens of North Iowa: June 18 - 20
Group Show: June 25 - 27

Finale Weekend
June 25–27
A collaborative display featuring select arrangements from all participating partners.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations to non-profits Clear Lake Arts Center and Central Gardens of North Iowa are strongly encouraged.

Come experience the beauty of the natural world through art and community.

Love art. Love community.

If you're feeling whimsical and creative, join us for a couple of hours of Zentangle inspired fun! A Zentangle® Inspired...
05/28/2026

If you're feeling whimsical and creative, join us for a couple of hours of Zentangle inspired fun! A Zentangle® Inspired Art (ZIA) class with instructor Brenda Campbell may be right up your alley!
Zentangle Inspired Art covers a wide range ofstyles & mediums. It is essentially artwork that is inspired by and/or includes Zentangle pattern drawing and is representational (not abstract or unplanned).
Although this is a ZIA class, we will be using the Zentangle Method to draw. This class is for everyone! No Zentangle experience is required, and you’ll get a few extra tiles so you can play more at home!

Saturday | June 13th | 10AM – 12:30PM
Fee: $50 | Ages 16+
All tools and materials are included

For those of you wanting to unleash your inner artist, you won't regret this class!

Friday can't come soon enough! Artist Jess Quinn's display, Lush Layers opens for public viewing this Friday, May 29th. ...
05/28/2026

Friday can't come soon enough!

Artist Jess Quinn's display, Lush Layers opens for public viewing this Friday, May 29th.

Opening reception 5PM - 7PM

Lush Layers is a collection of large-scale floral oil paintings that celebrates the depth, movement, and quiet strength found in nature. Each piece is built through many layers of blended oil paint, creating rich color, soft transitions, and a sense of immersion for the viewer. The exhibition highlights the beauty within the details, inviting visitors to step closer, slow down, and experience the natural world in a new way.

On view May 29th - June 27th open Tues - Saturday 10am - 4PM

We can't wait for you to experience the cheerful colors of these beautiful blooms!

Thank You to Our Circle of Giving Supporters!In Clear Lake, community has always been at the heart of what we do. Our Ci...
05/27/2026

Thank You to Our Circle of Giving Supporters!

In Clear Lake, community has always been at the heart of what we do. Our Circle of Giving is an ongoing continuation of what happens when people come together to invest in creativity, connection, and the future of the arts.

Each year, we gather at our Annual Circle of Giving Reception to celebrate and thank this incredible group of supporters whose generosity helps keep the arts alive and thriving in Clear Lake.

The Circle of Giving is made up of some of our most dedicated patrons, donors, and community champions who choose to make a once-a-year investment in the Clear Lake Arts Center and in the impact the arts have on our region.

Because of this circle of support, we are able to create meaningful exhibitions, expand educational opportunities, inspire creativity across generations, and bring people together through shared experiences.

To our fellow Clear Lakers, we invite you to join the circle.
Be part of something that continues to grow, connect, and strengthen our community.

No matter the size of your gift, every contribution becomes part of something bigger and every supporter helps keep the arts flourishing right here at home.

Circle of Giving Benefits Include:
• Monthly newsletter (via e-blast)
• First notifications of exhibits, classes, and events (via e-blast)
• 10% off gift shop and classes
• 20% off one room rental per year
• Advertised recognition for one Hanson Gallery Exhibit of your choice
• VIP Annual Reception each spring
• Free Private tours for groups of up to 10

Join the Circle. Invest in the Arts. Keep Culture Alive.

An Exhibition You Can Experience and a Workshop Your Kids Can Be Part Of! New work has officially arrived from artist Je...
05/26/2026

An Exhibition You Can Experience and a Workshop Your Kids Can Be Part Of!

New work has officially arrived from artist Jess Quinn, and this exhibition comes with a special opportunity for young artists to learn directly from her.

Opening May 29 through June 27, Lush Layers is a stunning collection of large-scale floral oil paintings celebrating the depth, movement, and quiet strength found in nature. Built through countless blended layers of oil paint, each work creates rich color, softness, and an immersive experience that invites visitors to slow down and look closer.

Opening Reception
May 29 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Don't miss, kids can create with the artist!
Join Jess Quinn the very next morning for a hands-on floral painting workshop designed especially for ages 7–12.

Bright Blooms - A Flower Painting Workshopwith Jess Quinn
May 30, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$55 (includes all materials)

Students will learn step-by-step drawing and painting techniques to create their own vibrant pansy while exploring color layering, brush control, and adding details that bring flowers to life. Inspiration sheets will help each student create something uniquely their own.

All supplies are provided. paint, brushes, palettes, water cups, and canvas surfaces.

See the exhibition. Meet the artist. Then let your young artist learn from her expertise and leave with a finished work of their own.

Scholarships available! Contact info@clearlakeartscenter or 641-357-1998 for more information

Register Here: https://clearlakeartscenter.org/youth-class-bright-blooms-a-flower-painting-workshop/

Six weeks of creativity, clay, and unexpected yet astounding results!Our Perfectly Imperfect Pots class wrapped up with ...
05/25/2026

Six weeks of creativity, clay, and unexpected yet astounding results!

Our Perfectly Imperfect Pots class wrapped up with these final handmade pieces, each one completely unique and full of personality. From textured bowls to sculptural vessels, every pot or hand built item tells the story of experimentation, growth, and the joy of making.

Thank you to everyone who joined us over the past six weeks and embraced the beauty of imperfection. We loved watching your ideas take shape from lump of clay to finished artistry.

Our June - July session is FULL.

Stay tuned for next classes TBA.

Address

17 South 4th Street
Clear Lake, IA
50428

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16413571998

Website

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