The Art of Connection

In June and July, the Sparkle Truck, an ’89 Ford Ranger completely covered in layers of Elmer’s Glue and glitter, was a familiar sight in Grinnell. The Sparkle Truck is driven by Tilly Woodward, Grinnell College Museum of Art’s (GCMoA) curator of academic and community outreach. This summer, GCMoA and the Drake Community Library hosted a series of free community programs connecting the museum’s resources with a wide range of individuals, families, and community organizations, strengthening enrichment opportunities and the social fabric in Grinnell. 

News & Updates

"The level of excitement and engagement from the participants is so rewarding to see. I am grateful to meet and mentor Grinnell College students, and this year it was humbling and heartwarming to hear their pitches. The students are very passionate about participating in opportunities that collaborate with members of the Grinnell community. They are truly committed to making a difference while they are here." 



– Barb Baker, director of advertising & community relations at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance and Pioneer Weekend 2023 judge

Winning Teams Announced for Pioneer Weekend 2023 

The Wilson Center’s annual Pioneer Weekend pitch competition took place from Friday, Sept. 22, to Sunday Sept. 24, and resulted in near-record numbers for attendance and participation, surpassed only by the 2020 virtual event. This year, 10 teams presented pitches on Sunday to an impressive panel of judges consisting of three community members who have made incredibly valuable contributions to Grinnell College and the surrounding community: Barb Baker, director of advertising and community relations at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance; Anne Harris, president of Grinnell College; and Bernadine Douglas, vice president of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. Read about the team pitches and winners on our website.

Grinnell Men and Women Race to 2023 Midwest Conference Cross Country Titles 

The Grinnell College men’s and women’s cross country teams competed this weekend on their home course, which winds around the Grinnell College Golf Course. Both teams won their respective 2023 Midwest Conference titles, a first for both teams since 2019. Read more about the competition on the Grinnell Athletics website. 

The Magic of Making Music: Finding Joy and Community with the Grinnell Singers 

As Grinnell United Church of Christ choir director, Grinnell School of Music board member, Blanche Johnson Professor of Music and Grinnell Singers director, John Rommereim knows that practice time is precious. With the Grinnell Singers, he still makes space for the social, team-building activities that help turn the choir of 50+ voices into a community. “It’s not all about studying and doing your work, but also about developing relationships,” Rommereim explains. “That is probably the most vital thing — for them to have a kind of home.” That doesn’t mean that Rommereim doesn’t demand a lot from his musicians. Although most of the Grinnell Singers are not music majors, the repertoire is challenging and requires commitment and focus. Read more about the Grinnell Singers on our website. 

Upcoming Events

November 4 – All Iowa Reads Author Talk at DCL with Sequoia Nagamatsu 

The Drake Community Library will present an author talk featuring Sequoia Nagamatsu, Grinnell College Class of 2004, in the Community Room of the library, 930 Park Street on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 – 3:30 p.m. His bestselling novel, How High We Go in the Dark, is an All Iowa Reads 2023 selection. The event is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of Drake Community Library and Grinnell College. Learn more about the author and event details on the DCL website. 

November 8 – Smithsonian Exhibition Virtual Talk at DCL 

Join Maria del Carmen Cossu, project director for Latino initiatives with Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service as she moderates a virtual talk with the co-curators of the Smithsonian Traveling exhibition, “Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia indígena del Caribe ¡Taíno Vive!” at the Drake Community Library (930 Park St.), 4–5:30 p.m. Cossu will facilitate a discussion regarding the creation of this exhibition. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with the co-curators and learn more about the Smithsonian’s “Taino” exhibition. 

November 17 – Jingle Bell Holiday 

Grinnell’s Jingle Bell Holiday annual winter festival and seasonal shopping kick-off will be held Friday, Nov. 17, with added in-store activities taking place from 5–8 p.m. that evening. Guests are invited to enjoy winter activities and promotions at a variety of businesses. More information, including a list of participating retailers, is available on the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce website. 

November 17 and 18 – Winter Farmers Market 

The Grinnell Winter Farmers Market is a special two-day-only winter market held during Grinnell’s Jingle Bell Holiday Event. The Grinnell Winter Market will be held at Hotel Grinnell on Friday, Nov. 17, from 5–8 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m.–noon. Learn more about the event on the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce website. 

November 18 – Met Opera in HD: X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X 

Anthony Davis’ groundbreaking and influential opera, which premiered in 1986, arrives at the Met at long last. Theatre luminary and Tony-nominated director of Slave Play Robert O’Hara oversees a potent new staging that imagines Malcolm as an Everyman whose story transcends time and space. The opera will be shown in the Harris Center Cinema from 11:55 a.m.–3:37 p.m. on Nov. 18. Visit our website for more information.  

Through November 19 – ‘Caribbean Indigenous Resistance’ — Smithsonian Exhibition at Drake Community Library 

Experience the captivating story of Caribbean Indigenous resilience through the bilingual (Spanish/English) traveling Smithsonian exhibition, “Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia indígena del Caribe ¡Taíno Vive!” at the Drake Community Library, on view through Nov. 19. The exhibition is free to the public during library hours. Read more about the exhibition on our website. 

Through December 10 – Grinnell College Museum of Art Free Exhibitions 

The Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA at Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, 1108 Park St.) has two exhibitions on display through Dec. 10. Stephen Appleby-Barr's Correspondence is the first museum exhibition in the United States featuring the work of London-based Canadian artist Stephen Appleby-Barr, whose drawing, painting, and printmaking bring together influences from the history of art and literature, his European travels, and the community of friends who gather around his London studio. The second exhibition, Old Friends and Psychopomps, is curated by Melena Johnson ’23 and features prints from GCMoA’s collection inspired by Appleby-Barr’s works and words. Learn more about the exhibitions and museum hours on our website. 

Tuesdays Through December 12 – Yoga in the Museum 

Enjoy a free 30-minute yoga practice with Joy Jones at the Grinnell College Museum of Art (GCMoA at Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, 1108 Park St.), 12:15–12:50 p.m. The class is open to all levels, and mats are provided. Virtual yoga is also available on our website, featuring images of works from the GCMoA collection and the calming voice of Jackie Hutchison.  

2023–24 Pioneer Athletic Events  

To see the complete schedule of Pioneer athletic events, many taking place in Grinnell, visit the Pioneer Athletics website. 

Did you know?

Pioneer Bookshop at Jingle Bell Holiday

Be sure to stop by the Pioneer Bookshop during Jingle Bell Holiday on Nov. 17. The store will offer a children’s activity make-and-take, Wish Lists for kids to complete for 10% off (must be returned by Dec. 22), and hot chocolate! Follow the Pioneer Bookshop Facebook page for more details and all the latest specials and updates. 

Construction Corner

November Updates

Now that the four levels of Renfrow Hall at the Civic Engagement Quad are coming into view, passersby can see the work as it progresses from the street and from our live webcam, available here. Underground construction has also begun, as crews form the connection tunnel leading to the South Energy Plant basement. More updates are available in the Hello Neighbor flyer. 

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