Surreal artist James Henry set to challenge Mt. Pleasant art community

MT. PLEASANT — Art patrons enjoyed the serene everyday landscape beauty captured by Ron Wick for the month of July, but as we enter August a new artist is on the docket.

“The Great American Freak Show” art display, created by James Henry, will occupy the gallery space in the Mt. Pleasant Main Street Art Center.

This art show will be a distinctly different kind of show to come to the small town of Mt. Pleasant.

This contemplative artist has had work shown in ‘Manhattan Arts,’ ‘Surreal Magazine,’ ‘Art Speak,’ and ‘New Art Examiner.’

His work can be found in collections across the globe in Ireland, France, England, Brazil, South Korea, Holland and Germany.

Henry is a surrealist painter from Iowa who addresses social and political issues within his pieces.

These captivating and challenging pieces of art have been shown nationally and internationally, and will now be shown in the small town of Mt. Pleasant with an artist reception Aug. 4 from 5 — 7 p.m. with DOW bananas, refreshments, and live music provided by Pat Kaltefleiter.

Henry will attend the reception in his signature 401 monkey suit which is featured in his work “Monkey Business.”

Some other galleries Henry has shown in include Castle Chatteau Des Reaux of France, Amsterdam Whitney Gallery and Aerial Gallery of New York, Lankersheim Gallery of Hollywood, Union Street Gallery and Beverly Arts Center of Chicago, along with local venues like the Dubuque Museum of Art, Davenport Museum, and 212 Jefferson Street Gallery in Burlington.

Main Street Art Director and artist Lorrilee McCall-Miller anticipates Henry’s work creating big conversations due to his ability to address hot topics from all sides.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com