Okoboji & Iowa Great Lakes Real Estate Blog

The Pearson Lakes Art Center celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015 and is now one of the top art museums in Iowa. With an impressive collection of both permanent and loaned pieces, people across the country have enjoyed the various famous displays as well as the unique creative programs that are offered to all backgrounds and skill-levels. The Pearson Lakes Art Center holds six galleries, a performing arts theater, a pottery room, a library, and an interactive gallery. The Pearson Arts Center is a gem of our Iowa Great Lakes community and a fantastic creative outlet for many.

What's Happening this Winter at The Pearson Lakes Art Center

During the colder months in our Iowa Great Lakes community, getting out to discover new hobbies and passions can be found at The Pearson Lakes Art Center. With a wide-ranging variety of artistic opportunities, there's a chance for everyone to engage, enjoy, thrive, create! This is the perfect time of year to explore some new creative activities. Here's a guide on what the community can look forward to whether you're interested in arts education, current exhibitions, performing arts, and special events:

Arts Education

Tastes of Thailand

• Date: December 13th
• Non-members: $35 per class
• Members: $30 per class

The Cultured Kitchen is your chance to join Chef Susanne Bicknese for lunch or an evening where you can learn how to make various appetizers, entrees, desserts and more. Discover the flavors of Thailand and take the recipes home!

Wallpaper Panel Collages

• Date: December 7th& 14th (register by November 30th)
• Non-members: $30 per class
• Members: $25 per class

You'll get to create your very own uniquely painted collage wallpaper panel artwork! This is your chance to make a mixed media piece of art that's 4ft long and full of eccentric character. In this class, you'll use oil pastels, acrylic paints, inks, Gelli plates, cutouts on a canvas. Surrealism at its finest!

Kids Art Classes:

Dickinson County High School Art Society- Grades 9 -12

• Date: November 16th- December 14th
• Free

On November 16th, students get to explore the Performing Arts activities and Royal Shakespeare Company's Coriolanus. December 14th, there will be a featured Artist that will teach art making. Call for more information on what kind of art you will be making. The classes run approximately 1 hour long and all students are invited to stay for Open Studio.

Kindermusik at the Lakes

• Date: Mondays and Thursdays (November - December 7th )
• Tuition: $200 for the semester and $170 for each additional child in your family. This includes classes and digital Kindermusik at home materials.

From 3 months to 5 years old, children are immersed in music and movement classes to develop their highest potential and strongest foundation for learning. Science has shown that kids thrive on music, helping to stimulate a growing mind and body. Early childhood development programs have demonstrated that music not only brings happy moments to children but also helps developing brain cells make connections needed for every kind of smart. Check The Pearson Lakes Art Center for time slots. Activities include the following: Cuddle and Bounce, Wiggle and Grow, Laugh and Learn, and All Ages Family.

Teen Art- Grades 7 – 12

• Date: November 15th- December 13th (Wednesdays 4-5pm)
• Non-members: $16
• Members: $12
• Register by Wednesday the week before!

November 15 & 29th teens get to explore loom weaving. December 6th& 13th students learn how to weave their own baskets.

Art Club – Grade 3 -6

• Date: November 14th- December 12th (Tuesdays 4-5pm)
• Non-members: $16
• Members: $12

Register by Tuesday the week before!

November 14th kids learn how to make leather tooled artwork. November 21-28th kids learn how to loom weave, and on December 5th-12th the class puts together a square basket.

Mini Michelangelos- Grade K-2

• Date: November 16th- December 14th (Thursdays 4-5pm)
• Non-members: $16
• Members: $12
• Register by Thursday the week before!

November 16th and 30th children learn how to loom weave and make a mini wall hanging piece. December 7th and 14th the class learns beginner's basket weaving.

Stop by The Pearson Lakes Art Center to learn more about the programs. The Box Office will also register you on premises.

Upcoming Special Events

Holiday Open House

• Date: November 30th 5:30pm- 7:30pm

Come by with your friends and family to enjoy The Pearson Lakes Art Center for their Holiday Open House. Awards are nominated to those who have volunteers and supported the center in the last year. Food and drink will be provided.

Coriolanus

• Date: November 16th 6:30pm- 9:00pm
• Where: Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre

Come and watch live recorded performances from London. The Royal Shakespeare Company presents Coriolanus, a full-on war play that takes places in the sweat of the battlefields. This play takes us back to the rise of the Republic of Rome. Coriolanus, a fearless soldier but a reluctant leader. Come and discover more about this iconic Shakespearean war drama.

Damon, Dave, and Ryan Holiday Show

• Date: December 2nd 7:30pm- 9:30pm
• Where: Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre
• Non-members: $30
• Members: $20
• Students: $15

Once again, Damon, Dave, and Ryan join together to sing in the holidays with classic favorites, new renditions, and more.

Jane

• Tickets: $10
• Where: Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre
• Date: December 7th 6:30pm- 8:00pm

Cinema at the Lakes presents JANE. With over 100 hours of never-before-seen footage from the National Geographic archives, award-winning director Brett Morgen re-tells the story of Jane Goodall. Don't miss out on seeing this woman's story of chimpanzee research that changed the world's view of the natural world.

The Nutcracker

• Tickets: $15
• Where: Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre
• Date: December 21st 6:30pm- 9:00pm

Discover the wondrous world of The Nutcracker. Enjoy film recordings from London by the Royal Ballet.

La bohème

• Tickets: $15
• Where: Lauridsen Performing Arts Theatre
• Date: January 18th st 6:30pm- 9:30pm

The Royal Opera House presents a riveting love story between Rodolfo and Mimi, two young artists and their passionate romance and the tragedies associated with being a starving artist. Young romance at its finest.

There's plenty to discover over the next couple of months for us in the Okoboji area. Be sure to connect with The Pearson Lakes Art Center to find out more information.