MUSCATINE, Iowa–At first glance, the work of Cory Christiansen and John Deson may seem unrelated, as Christiansen’s mixed media pieces look significantly different than Deason’s photography. However, both artists shared connections with Jon Fasanelli-Cawelti, a Muscatine artist famed for his printmaking and the local circle of artists he fostered in his lifetime. Ahead of a new exhibit celebrating the works of Fasanelli-Cawelti, the Muscatine Art Center will open two exhibitions, one on Christiansen’s work from Aug. 10 through March 10, 2024, and a second on Deason’s on view from Aug. 17 through Oct. 29.
A lifelong photographer, many Muscatine area residents know Deason for the time he spent teaching art, first at Muscatine High School and later at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. A friend of Fasanelli-Cawelti, Deason found the time spent with him and other local artists talking about their craft and other subjects inspiring. Over his many decades of photography, Deason has amassed a sizable body of work that provides a fresh and thoughtful perspective on many subjects, from shots of familiar locations throughout Muscatine over the years to intriguing travel photos. An accessible look into local art, Muscatine Art Center Director Melanie Alexander believes anyone who views Deason’s works will find something to like about them. “For people who aren’t used to going to an art museum, photography, especially nature photography, is approachable because we all have some experience with it,” she shared.
Though younger than Deason and Fasanelli-Cawelti, Christiansen learned a lot from the mentorship their group of artists provided him. An orthopedic surgeon by training now pursuing a bachelor of art degree, Christiansen has always had an interest in art and enjoyed experimenting with different media and techniques to explore life’s most thought-provoking questions. Using everything from traditional materials like paint and canvas to unconventional inclusions like rubber bands and dried corn kernels, Christiansen’s art draws people in and encourages them to get absorbed into its intricacies. “It seems every time I see something from Cory, it’s something different from the past,” remarked Alexander.
John Deason’s exhibit at the Muscatine Art Center. Photo by Margaret Hurlbert.
While each exhibit differs from the other, Alexander finds inspiration from Fasanelli-Cawelti in both, as he enjoyed exploring deep subjects in different ways with other artists, and hopes that familiarity Fasanelli-Cawelti’s work will attract interest to Deason and Christiansen’s artistic talents. “It’s interesting to think of both of them being with Jon Fasanelli-Cawelti and being part of this bigger group of Muscatine artists,” she mused.
As these two exhibits open, the Muscatine Art Center will hold a reception for Christiansen and Deason on Aug. 20 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Art Center (1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine). A chance to meet both artists and hear from them and their friends about the impetuses of their works and their experiences with Fasanelli-Cawelti, Alexander considers it the perfect way for anyone interested in local art to learn about the Muscatine area’s thriving community of independent artists.
