Enjoy visual art, poems, short stories, cartoons, music, photography and more from readers.
Former teacher discovers artist inside
CEDAR FALLS -- For more than 30 years, Lisa Breithaupt poured herself into teaching kids and teens about living healthy and working as a team. But when she retired from teaching physical education in nearby Dunkerton, another part of her emerged: an artist who...
“The Prophets Never Saw It Coming”
Max Brash stood in a bubble on the moon, ready to launch the most epic gender reveal party in the history of the human race. In front of him were nearly a hundred transparent monitors linked to his mission control – which was really just one person, his buddy Dave....
Jay Wallerich: “I’m Empty Reality”
Jay Wallerich, of Elizabeth Tate High School in Iowa City, earned third-place in the IC Speak's Page Poets competition. Enjoy their composition, "I'm Empty Reality." "I'm Empty Reality" by Jay Wallerich My mind leaks empty reality; Onto these pages it spills Freely,...
“I Can’t Imagine” — But I Must Try
By KENT MICK I can’t imagine how exhausted people of color are when it comes to America. I can’t imagine how exhausted my gay friends are when it comes to America. I can’t imagine how disgusted my Native American friends are when it comes to America. I can’t imagine...
Affirmation of the Unknown: “I Am”
"The thought of everything society expects from the 'American Dream' hit me. There are all these expectations that our generation almost can't meet -- or that we don't want to meet because we see that there could be a better way to live, a different way. So I examined...
Fairfield artist strives to honor all creative efforts
FAIRFIELD, IA -- "Art is the first brush stroke on a blank canvas." This all-encompassing nod to the value of all creativity is a key theme for Mia Story, a professional artist based in Fairfield whose work includes painting, poetry, graphic design and sculpture. With...
Artwork: Council Bluffs artist reaches new heights during pandemic
Artist Cait Irwin isn’t afraid to make statements with her art.
Poetry: Mount Pleasant activist ponders true meaning of respect
"Often, people try to control discussion through a single word. It sounds logical, until we take a deeper look." Bob Mueller wrote his poem, "Respect," to challenge a word oft-repeated, and sometimes exploited. Bob helped found the new Mount Pleasant PFLAG...
Coralville mom captures the emotion of her teen’s gender transition with “He”
“Basically, I am a gay mom who is also raising a 13-year-old trans guy. Being the parent of a trans kid is a unique experience, but seeing your child bloom into exactly the person they were meant to be is one of the most rewarding things any parent can witness. There...