Art Farm Iowa

06/15/2026

CHRISTIAN AARON MENDOZA - 1972-2026

The master Chris Mendoza ("EDEC') doing what he loves. Process of the mural "Cosmic Dragon".

06/15/2026

CHRISTIAN AARON MENDOZA - 1972-2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chris Mendoza ("EDEC'). Not only was Chris an incredible artist, he was thoughtful, generous and brought out the best in every person he met. He had a passion unlike any other for architecture, art, music, and adventure.

He adored his grafitti crew THE INKHEADS, which he was instrumental in organizing. He shared stories of the brotherhood they had, and he loved them as brothers, too.

We were so fortunate to have Chris stay and create at Art Farm Iowa for three months from September-November 2025. As he did wherever he went, he made an impact and dozens of friends.

While he was at Art Farm Iowa, Chris created the mural "Cosmic Dargon" as part of a project developed by Jel Martinez JEL MARTINEZ to honor the Malibu Penit/The Abandoned Houses in Miami.

"Cosmic Dragon" incorporates Chris's mastery of line work, color, and motion. It also incorporated flourescent paint to make it a "glowing" mural.

Chris became one of Art Farm Iowa's biggest advocates, and we were planning to bring him back to complete additional work and commission projects. His presence will always remain at Art Farm Iowa through the mural, other paintings, and the people he met. He was loved, and he was happy.

Over this week, we'll be sharing the moments and projects Chris completed during his time. Rest in peace, Chris.

06/13/2026

FARM-TO-FORK WINE & CHEESE

Wow, what an evening! So grateful for everyone that came out to the first wine & cheese night at Art Farm Iowa. It was so much fun!

Thank you to Chef Jessica Baldus Jes Baldus and Milton Creamery Milton Creamery. We heard a lot of "Those are the best cheeses I've ever had."

And, then the wine! It included curated selections from Bacco del Monte Wines Bacco del Monte Wines and Soldier Creek Winery Soldier Creek Winery. Delicious!

To top it all off, the evening was set amongst the incredible "The Upcycled Garden" exhibit Atta.

Thank you to everyone that participated!

06/12/2026

ONLINE EXHIBITION FOR 2026, POST 23

Becoming: America at 250
Photographs by Dennis Church Dennis Church

These are tumultuous times. However, America has never been a finished idea. At 250 years old, the nation remains in a constant state of becoming − shaped by land, labor, belief, conflict, and quiet endurance. This year-long online photographic exhibition honors the 250th anniversary of the United States and will be drawn from both new photographs and the artist’s five-decade archive.

The exhibition will unfold steadily across online platforms over the year culminating in a book Becoming: America 250. The book is now available to pre-order on the Art Farm Iowa website. Archival, limited exhibition prints are also available.

About Dennis

Dennis Church is an American photographer whose work transforms everyday moments into vibrant, graphic images. Raised on a small farm in rural Iowa, he began photographing in 1975 and has since exhibited widely in the U.S. and internationally. His work appears in Bystander: A History of Street Photography, and his recent books include AMERICOLOR (2024) and DIRT FRESH (forthcoming in 2026). Church lives and works in Delray Beach, Florida, finding color, humor, and meaning in the ordinary.

Photos in Manhattan, New York City; St. Ansgar, Iowa; and Miami, Florida.

06/11/2026

JIM & SUE HEEMSTRA SCULPTURE Heemstra studio AT ART FARM IOWA

Iowa artists Jim & Sue Heemstra bring a vibrant collection of ceramic sculptures and totems to Art Farm Iowa, transforming the grounds with imaginative forms, color, and craftsmanship. Their sculptures are on display until September 13.

Photos by Dalluge Photography.

06/10/2026

We're looking forward to the Worth County Tractor Tour! June 23-27

NORTHWOOD, Iowa — Acclaimed singer-songwriter Dan Bern will take to the backroads of Worth County this June for a musical journey unlike any other. From June 23-27, Bern will travel by tractor from town to town as part of the inaugural Worth County Tractor Tour, presenting a series of free communi...