Corning Center for the Fine Arts

08/31/2026

08/31/2026

"Generations in Bloom" is a collection of artwork created and curated by three artists whose lives have become connected through art, mentorship, friendship, and family.

Years ago, Bailey Fry-Schnormeier, an art teacher at Creston Community High School, taught May Ling Chuong-Wignall during her formative high school years. Bailey encouraged May Ling to cultivate her passion for art and helped her begin imagining a future in which creativity could remain an important part of her life. That mentorship continued beyond high school as May Ling followed a similar path and pursued art at Coe College.

Over the years, the relationship grew beyond that of teacher and student. May Ling remained close with Bailey and her family, including Bailey's daughter, Leona Fry-Schnormeier, who has grown up knowing May Ling not simply as her mother's former student, but as a friend, fellow maker, and artist to look up to.

Now, the three come together not as teacher, student, and daughter, but as three artists with distinct voices of their own.

Throughout Generations in Bloom, flowers and the natural world become a common language. Bailey's sculptural ceramics explore organic forms through richly layered surfaces, carved imagery, flowers, leaves, insects, and other elements drawn from nature. May Ling's paintings interpret botanical subjects through expressive color, gesture, and observation. Leona's fiber work transforms familiar floral forms through crochet, texture, pattern, and the intimacy of handwork.

Their materials are different, but their work continually finds its way back to the same place: growth.

Flowers bloom, change, fade, return, and grow alongside one another. Creative lives develop in much the same way. We learn from the people who came before us, find our own voices, and eventually become part of someone else's inspiration.

Generations in Bloom celebrates that cycle—the influence of a teacher, the growth of a student into a fellow artist, and the emergence of another young artist finding her own path.

It is a celebration of mentorship becoming friendship, friendship becoming family, and creativity continuing to bloom from one generation to the next.

08/31/2026

And it's on! We had so much fun at our last raku/horsehair workshop that we are going to do it again!!! Here's the thing, guys- this requires NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. The pots are already made and we are just going to show you how to decorate it with either the raku or horsehair method! What we really want to do is to have fun with all of you while learning a really cool technique. And, guess what? You get to take your beautiful pot home with you! How do you sign up? Just call the Corning Center for Fine Arts at 641-322-4549 to save one of the time slots listed on the flyer. BEGINNERS WELCOME!

08/26/2026

Home to The Corning Opera House, the finest place to experience live entertainment, theater, host business meetings, conferences, and more!

08/26/2026

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS… Southwest Iowa Art Tour 2026 is one month away — please join us for our lucky 13th year! Stay tuned on social media or check our website for more details about participating locations, event hours, and featured artists.

2026 GATHERING PLACES:
Corning Opera House (Corning, IA)
The Studio (Stanton, IA)
Wilson Performing Arts Center (Red Oak, IA)
The Five One 8 (Red Oak, IA)
Zanzibarn Creations (Clarinda, IA)
Whip’s Mercantile (Sidney, IA)
Knox Art Studio (Thurman, IA)
Langille Studios (Malvern, IA)
Art Church (Malvern, IA)
Fine Arts on Fifth (Malvern, IA)
Reinert Images (Glenwood, IA)
Studio 26 (Glenwood, IA)
Painted Camel Gallery (Macedonia, IA)
Coffee Girl (Harlan, IA)
Christian’s Rise Donuts (Harlan, IA)
Penny’s Visions Gallery (Neola, IA)
Martens Metal Design (Council Bluffs, IA)
Harvester Artist Lofts (Council Bluffs, IA)

Featured artwork by Zack Jones (Zack)
For more info: www.swiarttour.com

08/26/2026

More Novice Art Exhibition pieces! Come to downtown Corning, y'all!

08/26/2026

The Novice Art Exhibition is still going on! Come on down and see this great display of southwest Iowa talent! It's beautiful!

08/18/2026

New Hours: Wednesday through Saturday
9:00 am- 4:00 pm.
Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

08/14/2026

Oooooo la la! So much talent in southwest Iowa!!! Come on down to check out these beautiful pieces brought in by novice artists for the Third Annual Southwest Iowa Art Show! It's free! Come enjoy the beauty!