The Future of Arts & Culture Placemaking in Rural America 

Westbrook Artists Co-Directors, Kevin Lair and Elizabeth Walden attended the Iowa Convening this summer.  As we enter a new phase at WAS starting in fall of 2016 we are working more extensively in Iowa.  The convening was one of the first opportunities to start reconnecting on the ground and building our network locally.   We will also be taking part in the National Next Generation Conference in October.  

Molly Ridout and Matthew Fluharty

The convening provided a venue to talk about the new initiative in development a regional network for "Art in the Public Sphere"  communities is in discussion.  The local effort is one of the ways we hope to honor the work and life of Winterset native, George Leslie Stout. Westbrook has been collaborating with community leaders and Stout supporters to develop a forward looking, next generation vision.