Elizabeth Claire Rose is a current 2025-2026 printmaking fellow for the Grant Wood Art Colony. She grew up exploring natural areas of the midwestern United States which cultivated her interests in ecology, biogeography, and the ecological importance of varied landscapes. Elizabeth stated that what initially drew her to the Grant Wood Art Colony was the opportunity it would provide.
“I was really looking for a chance to make my work and focus on making it there. I've heard about The Colony for many years, and I know it's quite prestigious,” Elizabeth says, “I wanted the time to be able to work in the studio and be in this community. I've heard from other people that it's great, so that sounded really good to me.”
In her studio, Elizabeth is working on projects with etching and woodcuts, while focusing on the patterns and connections between them. Since her time in Iowa, she has gained inspiration from local artists.
“I went to The Iowa Art Field recently, which really inspired me — artists there were doing site-specific projects responding to place. That pushed me to think about doing something more dimensional or cultural here.”
Elizabeth plans on creating many projects during her time in The Colony. This includes community involvement, teaching, and working on her printmaking.
“I tend to be an idea person. There’s one specific thing I’m really interested in, which is working with the Office of Sustainability on sites on campus that have invasive woody shrubs,” Elizabeth says, “I want to do a project involving students and the community to create an installation and remove them, to draw awareness to the issue. It’s a problem for forest rejuvenation and health.”
Elizabeth says that being in Iowa has been very influential for her artistic process. The landscape, The University of Iowa, and the community have been big factors.
“The facilities are amazing, that alone opens so many possibilities. I’m still in the ‘possibility-happy’ phase. I’ve been exploring prairie maps, planning where to visit for ideas, and attending events like The Iowa Art Field to see other artists’ work. It’s all really inspiring."
Elizabeth Claire Rose: Printmaking in Place
Elizabeth also says that being in The Colony has really given her a chance to focus on her art.
“After years of teaching and working, having the space to slow down and think is huge. You realize how much you can create when you’re not distracted.”
Elizabeth explained that Grant Wood’s legacy has aided and inspired regionalism in her work. With her background in ecology and landscape, she understands Grant Wood’s importance and influence.
“I’m really interested in regionalism, and I like to think about different systems. I was part of the prairie system in Illinois, which also has a history of tallgrass prairie and similar glacial movement,” she says, “So, I think about different places and their connection to big events like glaciation, or the systems that are here. That’s part of what I’m interested in now, and it’s great that I’m in Iowa.”
Elizabeth says that being a fellow of the Grant Wood Art Colony is an honor. The opportunity is something that she is glad to be a part of.
“I tend to be a more reflective person, so I think later it’ll hit me even more. But while I'm in Iowa, I'm just happy to be here,” she says, “It feels like a dream to me. Like I’m in an art palace, it’s awesome. I hope I inspire people to observe themselves and their surroundings, to stop taking the everyday for granted. There’s dynamic beauty in every place if you just look.”
