At the Library 7/11/25

Upcoming Art Exhibits for July & August in Art Underground

by Tammy Valentine 

Art credit: Mary Jones

    The Washington Public Library is very fortunate to have wonderful art galleries for local artists to exhibit their work. The Art Underground Gallery, a new gallery on the lower level, was added when the library created the Make IT Place. The month of July the Art Underground features Mary Jones.

    “I make mixed media artworks about urban walking. Images are collaged    from drawings, writing, and ephemera gathered on walks taken in cities and  towns of all sizes. Often works are dominated by a central figure personifying  the journey taken with its mix of memories, dreams, hesitation and resolve. My quirky drawing style results from a belief that drawing is as personal as handwriting." 

    Originally from Pennsylvania, Mary Jones has lived in many places, including Washington, Iowa, between 1955 and 1958. She has an MFA in Printmaking from Indiana University and a BFA in Art History from the University of Illinois. She is included in the permanent collections of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and the State Museum of Illinois. She was named a notable artist in New American Paintings, Midwest Edition #134. She currently lives and works in Indianola, Iowa.

Patrick Eldredge

In August we find photographer Patrick Eldredge in the Art Underground Gallery. His exhibit is titled “Travel in Black and White.” A Keota native, Patrick has traveled the world working and taking thousands of pictures along the way. Traveling the world, experiencing other cultures that are different from the norm, has been an inspiration to Patrick. Patrick’s artistic influence has been his travels. 

    “I’ve been fortunate. I travel the world and have been to countless museums in countless countries and viewed firsthand the masters/mistresses of historic photography. I view art in most forms as inspiration. The paintings before the 19th century (before photography) are the photographs of history. It’s how we know what George Washington or Marcus Aurelius or Queen Elizabeth looked like.”

    He never forces his creative process, nor does he follow trends. He goes by what feels right while viewing the world with a photographer’s eye. He refers to his many photographs as practice, many times resulting in something new. 

Be sure to go to our website and view the calendar so you don’t miss a thing!

Photo credit: Patrick Eldredge