Hills, Art & More, Not Your Typical Art Tour to highlight local artists

Published 4:54 pm Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Hills, Art & More, Not Your Typical Art Tour will take place next weekend Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 11 from Noon-4 p.m. This event is being organized by and for artists as a self-guided tour through parts of the beautiful central Loess Hills.
It is an opportunity for local artists to showcase their work and offer them for sale to the public during this two-day self guided tour through the Loess Hills area. The area within the Hills includes these towns: Correctionville, Anthon, Oto, Smithland, Mapleton, Ute, Soldier and Moorhead. Brochures are available in each town.
Annie Porter, one of the event organizers, said they have 26 artists that are participating. Organizers have been planning this event since April and have been meeting every other week at the Onawa Library.
Porter explained the group-Serendipity (handful of artists that are primarily from up in Woodbury County) approached her last spring. They had all collectively participated in the last two years in the Missouri River Art Crawl.
They asked her about starting a self-guided auto tour through the Hills of Iowa. Porter said that was an awesome idea.
“We are truly committed to the arts and the hills,” she added. “It should be pretty beautiful at the time of this. Everything will start to get ready to change and everything. It’s very important to the group that we highlight the hills. It’s a huge part of why this is even occurring.”
According to their website: “Our mission is to connect communities and travelers with the vibrant creative spirit of the Loess Hills, fostering appreciation for our local artists while showcasing the stunning seasonal beauty of our landscape. We are inviting the public to travel to Loess Hills and experience not only the beauty of the hills, but also the creativity of its resident artists.”
The group put in a Gilchrist application grant, which got them enough funds so they could start a website, purchase signage, pay postage, and other materials needed.
Artist who were interested in participating submitted an application.
“We have artists from all around,” Porter said as the event will feature painting, sculpture, fiber art, original jewelry, pottery and much more. “We have a very diverse selection of artwork.”
“If they go to that website while they’re traveling about or making their choices, they can figure out their own path,” she added. “If they just want to stick to Monona County, they can do Moorhead, Soldier, Mapleton, Ute. If they want to go up north, they can make their own path.”
“As people are doing their self-guided tour, they can see where they might want to stop, they might want to make sure Graceful Grind is at noontime, so they can have lunch and then see their artwork there, or stop at Buffalo Joe’s and have lunch and see Mark’s work,” Porter said. “We’re just trying to make it be that there will be options for shopping and food along with the artwork.”
To learn more about each artist visit the Hills, Arts & More website www.hillsartandmore.com/ or their Facebook, Hills Art and More. If you have questions reach out to Annie Porter at 712-420-1343 or email to info@hillsartandmore.com.
Self-guided art tours are growing in popularity as the Southwest Art Tour has been going on for 30 plus year; there is one in the Lakes region and some in Central Iowa.
“It’s really kind of a thing that’s evolving in the whole state of Iowa,” Porter said.
The Hills, Art & More organizers are hoping to make this an annual event as next year’s Hills, Arts & More will be October 9-10, 2027.
The following artists will be set up in the listed towns along with some information about each:

Moorhead
Moorhead Cultural
Center and Loess Hills Hospitality Association
• Linda Lee Herman from Pisgah – Acryllic used as Watercolor; “The Loess Hills of Iowa inspire me. The colors – the changes through the year and the buildings in the hills. They all have a story to tell – of struggle and success.”
• Chanelle Teut from Sioux City (originally from Ute) – Various including Acrylic Painting and Mixed Media; “My artwork, like everything else in my life, isn’t limited to just a few fields of interest. I love experimenting and trying different techniques, working with new mediums, and finding ways of combining them. Inspiration comes from everywhere, at any time. From a pattern I see, to something I’ve read or written. Whether it’s a logo I’m asked to design or a special interest gift for someone. I never have everything planned out from the beginning, just a concept. The piece reveals itself along the way.”
• Sasha Teut from Ute; Drawing, Painting, Photography and more; “There are moments in life when time stands still. I believe every meaningful creation begins with moments like this. They are worth remembering. Sometimes that moment asks to become a photograph; sometimes a drawing or a painting or a wood-burned piece or something unexpected. Every piece I create is an invitation to slow down, notice the beauty and preserve the stories that time cannot hold on its own.”
• Vicki Allen, from Turin – Hilly Flats Photography: “I am an avid landscape and nature photographer who loves capturing the many beautiful and unique aspects of the Loess Hills where I have lived my entire life. The Loess Hills have always instilled in me a sense of wonder, delight and always a sense of peace.”
Moorhead is raising money for a new roof for Legion Hall. The Legion Auxiliary will selling rolls and coffee in the morning followed by lunch until 2 p.m.

Soldier
Simply Unique
• Jan Gaughran from Soldier – Handmade Pottery; “When I retired in 2020, I created a pottery studio and bought my first kiln. Since then I have been challenging myself in new ways, techniques and glazing combinations. I find working with clay relaxing and rewarding. It’s always a surprise to open the kiln and see the pieces I created.”
• Robin Blakely Vaughn – Acrylic Painting; Robin’s primary goal in her paintings is to instill joy and happiness in others and to provide a lighter side to life. She wishes to spread peace and love through her artworks.
• Carey McClure from Onawa – Metal Work; Carey is inspired by nature and is considered a Top Notch Metal Man!
• Cathie Eich – from Pisgah – Stained and Fused Glass; “We moved to the Loess Hills about 23 years ago. I had a stained glass window in my closet growing up. I loved it! Many years ago I got $50.00 from my in-laws for Christmas. I used that money to take a stained glass class and here I am today. I’ve learn fused glass since then and totally enjoy it!”
• Annie Porter from Soldier – Tapestry, Weaving and Jewelry; “I have always enjoyed creating items in anything textile, I took to spinning and weaving at a young age. Love fabrics of all kinds, enjoy sewing. I am blessed to live in the Loess Hills and am so inspired by our surroundings. I am particularly fond of weaving scenes I see and pencil draw and take those drawings or photos and create them in a Native American weaving technique called tapestry!”
The Soldier Library is going to be serving pie and coffee from 2-4 p.m. and have a display the artwork of deceased artists from Soldier community: Walt Ordway, Effie Olsen and Wayne Joyner.
Ute
Compass Rose
• Amelia Luscombe from Battle Creek – Oil and Acryllic; “I’m local artist to Battle Creek Iowa. I started painting when I was a young child and just continued into my adult life. My paintings are acrylic and oil paints. My Mom drew beautiful pictures and I was inspired by her.”

Mapleton
Graceful Grind
Coffeehouse
• Rory Conrad from Dunlap – Acrylic Painting; “I want to share my work to inspire others and to fill a need in my life. I have liked to draw most of my life but it was only sporadically. I retired in 2015 and have really gone to work painting and learning all I can.”
• Dolores Dorland from Missouri Valley – Watercolor and Fiber Art; “She enjoys quilting and watercolor painting and decided to combine the two media into one, Fabric Art. Recently, she has been using watercolor pencil both on paper and cloth.”

Smithland
Buffalo Joe’s Roadhouse
• Mark Stebbin from Danbury – Steampunk Metal Art; “I work in a metal shop and I see these random bits and pieces in the shop and sometimes I see something and think oh, that looks like the tail of a monkey or the nose of a bear or something like that and decide to recreate it in my own way. Eventually I started branching out going to junk piles and other sources finding old springs gears and etc. With a weld here and there my imagination materializes.”

OTO
Oto Pub & Grab

Anthon
at Oak Tree Farm
& Gardens and
Katie Cloud Home
• Joann Dandurand from Salix – Sculptures in clay, stone, and found objects/mixed media; “Sculpting is my second career. I have always been interested in artmaking, and finally got the chance to take some classes and really explore the artistic concepts 15 years ago, and even more so after I retired. I am fascinated by how much I continue to learn daily about working with clay and stone, making a form that pleases me and the piece itself.”
• Stennie Nelson from Turin – Botanically dyed silk scarves (indigo, goldenrod, marigold), Wool; “I choose to work with limitations: what colors can I grow or forage? And within that, how much Indigo I grow limits how much I can dye, for example. And while I enjoyed dyeing the yarn from my sheep, carefully sourcing the silk scarves to dye has given me that surface area to play with patterns and explore more dimensions of the colors that are possible from the plants through different application processes. Throughout it all, the connection to place is paramount. (The silk is an exception, but my sheep love eating mulberry leaves too!)”
• Stacy Hoelscher from Hinton – Jewelry; “I like looking at beads and old jewelry and seeing what they can become. Making each one different, not really knowing how it will turn out.”
• Trip (Katie) Griffith – Watercolor; she is also the webmaster for Hills, Arts & More; “When I took my first watercolor class and saw the colors swirling across the page I was hooked. I love the beautiful “happy accidents” that just magically appear and the challenges of a medium that has a mind of its own.”
• Jessica Montana from Anita – Painter; “Throughout my entire life, we were always creating-whether it was making blankets from random scraps, painting murals for the living room, or simply doodling together and just hanging out.”
• Julia Licht from Sioux City- Fused Glass; “I love glass. Cutting and designing pieces makes me calm and relaxed. My art is my vacation from real life. I can go to my studio, play my music and create. Each piece is unique, each an original. I also love the way light reflects and refracts off the glass giving it layers and depth.”
• Jana Sawin from Anthon – Jewelry

Correctionville
at FS-RB ART
• Frank Salazar from Correctionville – Abstract painting, sculpture and mixed media; “Originally from Venezuela, I studied art at the Art Students League in NYC. I moved to Iowa and have been creating art ever since.”
• Rick Baker from Correctionville – Sculpture using wood, metal, stone and found objects; “I enjoy recycling wood, metal, stone and objects into pieces of art. The pieces have history before I even begin creating a new one for them. I always worked in a field of creativity, window display, corporate events, interior designer and artist.”
• Jordan Carinae from South Sioux City – Digital Art; “My pieces are inspired by the worlds of authors I admire, as well as from my own experiences. I draw heavily from my lifelong interests in astronomy and fantasy when I create my work. My hope is for observers of my art to stop and spend a moment in the world created by my pieces – taking in the emotion and stakes of what they are seeing, while also thinking about what they might not be seeing.”
• Kate Koskovic from Correctionville – Silversmithing, Watercolor, Gemstone Jewelry; “I live in the Loess Hills, and these “Hills” have inspired my work using silver to create a signature pendant in fine silver, all hand fused and hammered. Each piece is unique, featuring the hills “angle of repose” and a yucca accent. I also use natural gemstones to create bead jewelry.”

Pierson
at Linn Farm Hospitality
Linn Farm Hospitality is owned by Pamela and Andrew Linn. Andy is a 4th generation farmer in Pierson. The couple have recently developed a night sky and telescope program to offer guests at their all-inclusive Farmstay B&B.
• Pamela Linn from Pierson – Painting and Culinary Artist; “Most of my inspiration comes from my family, traveling and my love of cooking. In recent years I have taken note and explored more deeply my Scandinavian family history and heritage. I discovered that many of the “ordinary” things in my childhood were intentional and carried deep meaning with them, across the Atlantic.” She also a coloring book artists and painter when she finds the time.
• Andrew Linn from Pierson -Night Sky, Landscape and Astrophotography: “I create my deep-space photography because it universally appeals to people. Even if they wouldn’t necessarily hang it in their breakfast nook, they are fascinated by what is out there. I create to show. I think when we start to see what is out there, we can’t help but be humbled. I feel like the deep space photos bring people together.”
• Leslie Gray from the Anthon area – Watercolor & Mixed Media; “Simply described as art from my heart. I love words, color and antique typewriters. I love combining them all. I want my art to make people happy or to encourage them when they need it most. That is when I decided would rather have my art reach as many people as possible rather than just having one original piece make one person happy. This is the moment my art went from one original piece to stationary.”

The content is Italics about each artist is from the Hills, Art & More website.