A prestigious traveling art exhibition stops at Le Mars

Le Mars, Iowa — A northwest Iowa art gallery is one of three national stops for a traveling exhibit of more than 40 paintings by international artists. The American Watercolor Society launched the works in New York in April before shipping them to the Mars Arts Center. Nancy Thoma, president of the Mars Arts Council, says it’s an astonishing diversity.

The works will be on display at Le Mars until July 14 before being shipped to a museum in California. The final stop of the traveling exhibition will take place early next year in Florida. Draven Haegs is the recently hired director of Le Mars Arts Center.

The American Watercolor Society was founded in 1866. Famous artists Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth were members of the group, which holds an annual exhibition. The traveling exhibit’s opening this week at Le Mars takes place during the community’s annual “Ice Cream Days” celebration.