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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The Truman Capote Award for Literary Criticism recipient, Gene Andrew Jarrett, speaks with peers during the Truman Capote Award Ceremony and Reception in the Senate Chambers at The Old Capitol on Oct. 2. Jarrett won the award for his biography of Paul Laurence Dunbar; the $30,000 annual award is the largest cash prize for English-language literary criticism.

Q&A | 2024 Truman Capote Award recipient Gene Jarrett explicates his biographical novel

Haya Hussain, Arts Reporter October 8, 2024

In November 2022, writer, educator, and scholar Gene Jarrett’s biographical novel “Paul Laurence Dunbar: The Life and Times of a Caged Bird” finally hit book stands after 15 years of deliberate...

Catharine Otto discusses her work at her Gallery Walk event at The Artifactory in Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. Otto primarily creates fiber art projects with wheat and various other mediums.

Catharine Otto finds calling in unique medium

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter October 6, 2024

Catharine Otto’s culturally rich work was showcased at Iowa City’s Artifactory in a gallery on Oct. 4. These unique installations are made entirely of wheat. Cards distributed at the gallery featured...

Photo contributed by Ikram Basra

Ask the Author | Lost in translation with Ikram Basra

Haya Hussain, Arts Reporter October 3, 2024

In Pakistan, Ikram Basra was known as a poet and journalist, and graduated from the University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop in 2021. Being a multidisciplinary writer and a witness to international justices...

Kimberly Datchuk moderates a panel with Oluwafemi Adeagbo, Laura Cottrell, and Saba Khan Vlach (left to right) during the panel “Keith Haring, Censorship, & the Power of Art” at
the Iowa City Public Library on Sept. 26, 2024. The panelists were involved in education and spoke about the impact of banning books on elementary school students.

Fighting for unrestricted access to information in Iowa City

Emma Isenhart, Arts Reporter October 1, 2024

School libraries and art rooms are havens of inclusivity and information for children. Teachers take pride in creating a safe space where students can explore and express themselves most authentically. Public...

A festival goer decorates a lantern during the Golden Beaker Lantern Festival at Hickory Hill Park on Sept. 28, 2024. All funds from this event will help low-income schools in the Iowa City area.

Lanterns illuminate Hickory Hill Park for a well-lit fundraiser

Isabelle Lubguban and Kayla Person October 1, 2024

The veil of the night sky had not yet fallen over Hickory Hill Park when participants began gathering. Before long, the park was filled with the twinkling golden lights of paper lanterns. The Lantern...

The Public Space One sign is seen in Iowa City on Oct. 16, 2022. Public Space One hosted a feminist poetry event on saturday.

Leisha Nicole Stanek commands the space at PS1

Kayla Person, Arts Reporter September 30, 2024

On Sept. 27 and 28, feminist poet Leisha Nicole Stanek visited the Public Space One Close House to put on an hour-long show about feminism and everything it entails. Stanek’s performance was vulnerable...

Conductor Kenny Lee leads the University of Iowa Symphony in their performance at the Voxman Music Building Concert Hall on Sept. 25, 2024. Lee also conducts the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Philharmonic Orchestra.

Q&A | New symphony orchestra conductor talks concert preparation

Kayla Person, Arts Reporter September 25, 2024

Kenny Lee is the University of Iowa’s newest Symphony Orchestra conductor, responsible for leading the UI Orchestra in their first concert of the school year. A skilled cellist, Lee looks forward...

Beppie Weiss (left) and Andrea Gage (right) work with pastels during a plein air painting session organized by the ArtiFactory and hosted at the Secrest 1883 Octagonal Barn in West Liberty on Sept. 14. “Plein air” refers to the art form of painting outside and capturing the natural spirit of a subject or landscape in the artist’s full view.

The Secrest Barn promotes a sense of calm for ArtiFactory’s Plein Air Art Group

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter September 24, 2024

Clear skies and cornfields were as far as the eye could see in sunny West Liberty, Iowa, on Sept. 15. However, the beautiful scenery was not the only focus of ArtiFactory’s Plein Air Group, as the...

Contributed by Reece Craven

Ask the Author | UI creative writing student Reece A. Caven shares his independent publishing experience

Charlie Hickman, Arts Editor September 17, 2024

Reece A. Caven is a senior at the University of Iowa studying creative writing. Caven decided he wanted to pursue writing while attending basic training in the National Guard during his enrollment....

Photo contributed by Harper Steele

Q&A | Esteemed former SNL writer Harper Steele opens up about the importance of friendship ahead of new film, ‘Will and Harper’

Isabelle Lubguban, Arts Reporter September 11, 2024

Harper Steele is an American writer and filmmaker from Iowa City. She worked on sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 1995-2008, during which time she was promoted to the role of writing supervisor...

Photo contributed by Stanley Museum communications and marketing coordinator Mahvish Farid.

Ask the Artist | Jiha Moon debuts new mural at Stanley Museum of Art

Flynn Milligan, Arts Reporter September 5, 2024

The Stanley Museum of Art stands on the outskirts of downtown Iowa City. Its modern architecture holds pieces from many household names for students and citizens of Iowa City alike to gaze at with awe....

The Hawkeye Histories gallery is seen in the University of Iowa main library on Aug. 26. The gallery showcases items from important moments in Iowa athletics history.

UI Main Library Gallery hosts new exhibit: ‘Hawkeye Histories, Sporting Stories’

Flynn Milligan, Arts Reporter September 3, 2024

From Caitlin Clark to Nile Kinnick, a new exhibit at the University of Iowa’s Main Library Gallery titled “Hawkeye Histories, Sporting Stories” chronicles the most influential figures in Iowa...