Marshalltown, IA: Creative Renaissance

Marshalltown’s unique art collection gains a new home.

By Wesley Broome on August 14, 2023

Jonathan David Sabin

Within the walls of the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center, centuries of art history play out before one’s eyes. From works by Henri Matisse to Mary Cassatt, visitors of the Fisher Art Museum can experience an impressive array of art movements.

“This is the type of art that you would normally have to go to Chicago or New York to see,” says Nancy Vellinga Burke, director of operations at the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center.

Yet, the collection scarcely avoided damage during the derecho in 2020. By sheer chance, the entire collection was shipped to Chicago for restoration when the derecho hit Marshalltown. While the art remained safe, the Fisher Art Museum suffered extensive damage.

“We needed a place to bring the artwork back to,” Burke says.

The community rallied to begin renovations. As a result, the new Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center now houses more than just art. The multi-use facility provides conference rooms with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and a reception hall that has been used for everything from wedding receptions to business conventions.

“We want the whole facility to be something that everybody in Marshalltown and Marshall County can use. Not just Marshalltown, but all of Iowa,” says Burke. “The sky’s the limit for the different types of programming and events we can have.”

Jonathan David Sabin  

Point of Pride

While the uses of the facility have grown, the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center remains a pillar for the community. Historically, the area in which it resides has been a hub of commerce, arts and culture.

Founders Bill and Dorothy Fisher developed the Fisher Art Collection to instill a sense of pride in the citizens of Marshalltown and Marshall County. After the community withstood both a tornado and a derecho, the arts continued to provide a sense of identity for residents.

The Center includes the Martha Ellen-Tye Playhouse, which was also damaged in the recent natural disasters. Plans for renovating the theater include making the building more accessible, thereby “bringing it into the 21st century,” according to Burke.

The arts continue to play a vital role in bringing commerce to the area. By providing a multi-use space for the local community and beyond, the center has become a hub of arts and culture in the area.

“The citizens of Marshalltown have always been proud of their community,” says Burke. “Now after the tornado and derecho I think we’ve made some great strides in bringing back the beauty to our city.”