Fisher Art Museum

[Abby Brown] The taller sculpture in the middle of this pond is called “Dedication to the Future.” Artist Christian Petersen sculpted a man holding a child high in the air to showcase a message.

That message is “We lift up our young to see beyond which we can see.” That sculpture and this message set the tone for an entire building dedicated to encouraging children and all visitors to experience the eye-opening world of art.

(Map marking Marshall County in central Iowa.)

Inside the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center is the Fisher Art Museum. Experts say that some of the art on display here is on the same level as what you might see in Paris, France, which is saying a lot since Paris has some of the world's most famous museums and galleries, including the Louvre.

This place is so fancy that I worry I won't understand or know how to appreciate it. But they want people to come in and explore so they've put up QR codes so you can learn more.

If you see a painting or sculpture you want to learn more about, just scan the nearby QR code and more information pops up.

It's a clever way to use modern technology to learn about art history.

Much of the impressive art here was donated by Bill Fisher and his wife, Dorothy. Mr. Fisher was an Iowan who had a deep appreciation for music and art, and wanted to be sure his hometown of Marshalltown could experience the work of famous Impressionist painters like Monet and Matisse.

And you can also enjoy the work of some local younger artists, too.

(A water color and ink sketch of a grand entrance with a sweeping staircase, a sculpture of a woman dressed in a greek toga and a black, baby grand piano. — A. Pa Class of 2030.)

(An abstract marker and ink drawing with musical notes, splotches of pink and blue, pink and yellow flowers on a white background on one side and a multi-color paint splattering on a black background on the other. The painting reads “ART is Beautiful.”)

From the art sculptures outside the building to the rooms full of art inside the building, the Fisher Art Museum joins the rest of the Marshalltown Art and Civic Center complex in lifting the community up to see a new view of the world.

Every county in Iowa is sculpted by the interests of its community members. In Marshall County, one of those interests is art.

Funding for FIND Iowa has been provided by The Coons Foundation, Pella and the Gilchrist Foundation.