Rose Frantzen

is a Maquoketa artist.

She created a Portrait of Maquoketa by asking residents to come for a sitting and the display is then just the many faces of a small town.

Her work has been at the National Portrait Gallery in D.C.

It is now at the Figge.

My aunt is one of the characters. She was Rose's kindergarten teacher.

My aunt is the bottom right.

I went to the Figge to see the display and Rose was there working. I had never met her, but struck a conversation and it was so enlightening. While each person sat for the portrait they talked and shared and Rose gained so much more from each person than just their face. She was touched. I was touched just listening.

If you are interested here is a very lengthy, but informative conversation with Rose at the National Gallery.



At the National Gallery the paintings were just hung on the wall. At the Figge they are suspended from the ceiling and "float". It is a dramatic presentation. When you look at the display from the back she has created a visual landscape from an area of Maquoketa.

It is a wonderful tribute to not just a town, but the people within.