Events Calendar

Join us for Happy Hour + Art at the next Stanley Museum of Art First Friday reception at FilmScene on the Ped Mall! Stanley First Fridays provide an ideal chance to usher in your weekend, enjoy the work of local artists, and mingle with other art enthusiasts.

Our November First Friday features photographs by Cedar Rapids artist Jason Everett.

The project “More Friends Than the Mountains” was developed to bring together community members, national art suppliers, international non-profit organizations, and Kurdish government entities to conduct art activities with children in Northern Iraq/Kurdistan. 

Over the course of fifteen days, seven events were conducted in refugee and IDP camps with the hope of providing moments of encouragement and levity for those living through the hardships of the Syrian Civil War and conflict with ISIS. These events were made possible through the efforts of scores of people, and included activities such as commissioned wall murals, origami workshops, rock coloring projects, and kite flying.

The Kurdish people have an adage, “no friends but the mountains,” to express their experience with regional neighbors and historic dependency on mountains for safety. This project brought together diverse people in collaboration and friendship. Additionally, it demonstrated that hope and art can transcend the barriers of language, geography, and culture to unite people.

Jason Everett is a University of Iowa alumnus and Cedar Rapidian, who originally hails from the East Coast. He is a photographer and writer who has spent much of his time overseas, including three years embedded in global conflicts from the Middle East to Asia. Through his diverse experiences abroad, he developed a deep connection to the basic humanity of people and an appreciation for our cultural diversity.

In recent years, Everett has engaged in numerous projects to bring international communities together through intersections of interest. The purpose of the projects is to highlight what people have in common; and to show, generally, people are good and will come together to do good things. He uses photography to capture and communicate these moments to share with others.

First Fridays are FREE and open to all with complimentary popcorn and a cash bar.

Consider becoming a Stanley member! Courtesies include home delivery of the Stanley Museum of Art Magazine and a personalized membership card, which entitles you to free entry to the Figge Art Museum and reciprocal admission to other art museums around the country.