Connections Murals
Public Art Project
Who lived in Grinnell a century ago? How has Grinnell changed since the early 20th century…and stayed the same?
The oldest living Grinnellian is Edith Renfrow Smith, 110 years old in 2024! She graduated from Grinnell High School and was the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in 1937.
Ms. Renfrow Smith returned to town to celebrate Grinnell College’s new residence hall named in her honor in September 2024. At the same time, the Grinnell Area Arts Council undertook a project to explore Grinnell’s rich history through public art.
In collaboration with Iowa artist Isaac Campbell, the Arts Council installed nine large wheat paste murals around downtown Grinnell celebrating members of the Renfrow family as well as other Grinnellians who lived during the Renfrow family’s years of residence in Grinnell, roughly 1890 - 1950.
We encourage the community and visitors alike to enjoy these murals and perhaps see themselves whether they are bicycling aficionados, small business owners or innovators. Each person has a story. What connections to the present do you make through glimpses into Grinnell’s past?
THE GRINNELL CONNECTIONS MURALS
Click on the photo for location and more information:
A project of the Grinnell Area Arts Council.
A special thank you to the Grinnell building owners hosting murals.
Thank you to Monique Shore for her collaboration and support of this project.
Many thanks to all those who have researched and compiled Grinnell history, from whom information for these murals was collected, including Lynn Cavanaugh, Dan Kaiser, Harley McIlrath, Veronica Ruse, Monique Shore and Team Renfrow at Grinnell College. For a deeper dive into Miss Edith’s story, visit Team Renfrow’s site.
Support for this project is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority, as well as by Grinnell College, the City of Grinnell, Friends of Drake Community Library, Drake Community Library and Grin Cupola.
