Exhibits

Museum of Alternative History Exhibit

Aug 21 - Dec 31, 2026 >> Wed, Thu & Sat 12-4PM & Fri 4-8PM / Free Admission
Opening Night | Friday, Aug 21, 2026 >> 6:30PM

In an era of AI, deepfakes, bots, and “alternative facts,” how do we know what’s real? How do we separate truth from fabrication when the line between them grows ever thinner?

The Museum of Alternative History invites you to step into a world where fact and fiction blur. This thought-provoking exhibition challenges both artists and visitors to reimagine stories of the past, question the reliability of images and narratives, and reflect on how history is shaped, distorted, or even invented.

Curated by lead artist Tim Guthrie and a committee of jurors, the exhibition will showcase works from 15–20 artists across a variety of mediums. Each piece has been selected for its excellence and its ability to spark dialogue about truth, memory, and the shifting landscape of information in our time.

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PACE Junior Masters
supported by Kathy Fiscus

MAY 22 - AUG 8, 2026 >> Wed, Thu & Sat 12-4PM & Fri 4-8PM / Free Admission
Ages 7-18
Art Deadline: May 4, 2026

Join us for the 4th annual exhibition ‘Junior Masters’ to be held May 22 - Aug 8, 2026. 'Junior Masters' will feature young artists depicting contemporary, abstract, expressionist, and conceptual works.

Art Submission Form

PACE New Masters
presented by Kathleen Pyper

Opening Night Reception: Friday, April 24 >> 6:30PM
APR 24 - AUG 8, 2026 >> Wed, Thu & Sat 12-4PM & Fri 4-8PM / Free Admission

PACE’s New Masters brings together up to 40 local artists showcasing the beauty and precision of realism. This inspiring exhibition highlights exceptional talent from across our community, offering a fresh look at classical techniques through contemporary voices. Join us for the Opening Night Reception on Friday, April 24, 2026, and be among the first to experience these stunning works, meet the artists, and celebrate the next generation of masters.

McCormick's Vault
(Iowa West Event Space)

Experience the historic "McCormick's Vault", located just past McCormick's 1894 Bar in the Iowa West Event Space. Meet our gossipy ghost bookkeeper in “McCormick’s Vault” as he regales you with stories of the Implement District, McCormick Harvesting Machine Company building, his boss, and the importance of the agricultural trade in Council Bluffs in the early 1900's.

Grant Wood Corn Room Murals

Explore the artwork of and Grant Wood in this permanent exhibition. Grant Wood is incredibly important to the history and culture of Council Bluffs, explore the agricultural landscapes of the region painted by Grant Wood Himself. Join us as we rediscover these significant pieces as part of our local history. 

DICK MILLER GRANT WOOD ARCHIVE HIGHLIGHTS

"Early Days of Kanesville"

Experience one of Grant Wood’s paintings, “Early Days of Kanesville.” This beautiful piece of early Council Bluffs heritage, painted in 1927 by world-renowned artist Grant Wood, to our gallery for the community to enjoy. Iowa artist, Grant Wood, best known for his work "American Gothic," was commissioned by hotel magnate Eugene Eppley in 1927 to create two murals at the new Hotel Chieftain in Council Bluffs, titled the “Corn Room” and “Early Days of Kanesville”. The 19-foot-by-6-foot mural “Early Days of Kanesville” was based on paintings and sketches by George Simons, the first artist to call Council Bluffs his home. Simons worked as a cook for the surveying party of railroad pioneer Grenville Dodge. Between meals, Simons made drawings which provided the earliest pictorial record of Council Bluffs during the early 1850s, documenting the landscape as it appeared in pioneer times.

CALL FOR CONSIGNMENT ARTISTS
Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center | Council Bluffs, IA

Applications are now being accepted for consignment artists in the new Hoff Family Arts & Center! Throughout the space, PACE aims to ensure there is a selection of high-quality, handcrafted artwork in a variety of media with a varied price range. Email up to 3 photos to demonstrate your artwork to be considered for consignment to liz@paceartsiowa.org or jacy@PACEartsiowa.org.

PACE will retain 30% commission on all sales to support local artists and our mission.

PACE Consignment form_0.pdf