From family to BLM to boudoir, Wezz de la Rosa captures special moments

by Staff Reports | Jan 3, 2023 | Archives, 2023, Arts Showcase, By Readers, By Readers Lead, Features, January 2023 | 0

Quad Cities photographer Wezz De La Rosa can often be found at Pride events like the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing 2022, capturing special moments like the cover shot of the Quad Cities all-female band Been There Done That performing live, or a pic of local drag legend Sinclaire Snaps hugging a young girl.

He also undertakes an annual photo effort to help document the area’s LGBTQ+ community by taking photos of everyday people he meets at LGBTQ+ events. And in 2020, De La Rosa focused on gathering members of the Quad Cities’ Black community holding variations of “Black Lives Matter” signs.

All the while, he’s also providing wholesome family portraits, classy corporate head shots, and tasteful boudoir shots, both indoor and outdoor. Check out a sample of his art here.

Graphic designer Danielle Ellis teams with actress Lakeia Hodges for somber photo shoot

by Danielle Ellis | Jan 3, 2023 | Archives, 2023, Arts Showcase, By Readers, By Readers Lead, Features, January 2023 | 0

After Hurricane Joaquin devastated South Caroline in 2015, artist and design professional Danielle...

Iowa City rock vocalist Nikki Lunden Trotter finds solace in photography, too

by Staff Reports | Jan 2, 2023 | 2023, Archives, Arts Showcase, By Readers, Features, January 2023 | 0

Most people know of Nikki Lunden Trotter as the founder and lead singer for Natural Habits, an Iowa City rock band. But she’s also discovered a love of photography — especially the kind that helps express angst.

Explore three photo galleries from this prolific musician whose career spans more than 30 years and at least eight different combinations of musicians.

U of I football shows are raptor exploitation, not education (Letter to the Editor)

by Guest Writer | Sep 8, 2022 | 2022, Animal Welfare, Archives, By Readers, Iowa, Letters to the Editor, Opinion, September 2022, Topics | 0

“Consider contacting the University of Iowa and the Iowa Raptor Project to ask them to stop exploiting raptors by forcing them to be involved in athletic events.”

Former teacher discovers artist inside

by Christine Hawes | Jan 8, 2022 | 2022, Archives, Arts Showcase, By Readers, Central Iowa, Features, Iowa, January 2022, Profiles | 0

CEDAR FALLS — For more than 30 years, Lisa Breithaupt poured herself into teaching kids and...

Taxes and Animal Abuse

by Guest Writer | Aug 3, 2021 | 2021, Animal Welfare, Archives, August 2021, By Readers, Eastern Iowa, Iowa, Letters to the Editor, Opinion, Topics | 0

“Shouldn’t we be teaching children to have respect, compassion and empathy for animals? Instead, they are learning that it is ok to terrorize animals for entertainment.”