2025 September Corinne Stanley Mirrors and Milagros

Mirrors and Milagros : A Collection of Art Collage By Corinne Stanley

The FMAAA Art Center is excited to once again host a themed exhibition in September that will tie in with our town's historical Mexican Fiesta. Mirrors and Milagros by Corinne Stanley features collage inspired by the artists experience with living several years in Mexico. Every one is invited to the Opening Reception on Thursday, September 4 from 5pm-7pm at the FMAAA Art Center, located at 825 Avenue G in Fort Madison. Enjoy light refreshments while you meet the artist and take in the intricate and colorful works.
Stanley, who is also a poet, speaks vividly about the representational imagery she weaves through her collages. She says,
“mirrors, milagros (tiny metal figures representing prayers) tin hearts and sequined images on cloth reflect a vibrant and sacred environment.” Stanley continues, “Borders created with loteria (bingo) cards and Spanish playing cards (naipes) colorfully represent popular culture.”
The collages narrate an engagement the artist has explored with the Mexican culture. Particular emphasis is given to the figures of the Divine Feminine including La Virgin de Guadalupe, Anima sola, and Frida Kahlo which the artist say is, “tribute to an intersection of art and the sacred female journey.”

Corinne Stanley is a poet, memoirist and artist who lives in Iowa City. She has sold her work at the popular Iowa City Farmers’ Market, along with other venues, for the past twenty years. She has exhibited throughout the region, including the Burlington Art Center in February 2024, and the Muscatine Art Center from January through March 2025. Her artwork appears in The North American Poetry Review, MagPie, and Bilingualborderless.
Stanley has published three books of poetry, Breathe into the Knowing, They Say this Is Light, and Down into the Upward Golden, a translation of Spanish poet Esther Bendala Pavón’s work Silence from the Forest/Silencio del bosque, and a memoir, La tercera luz: A Poetic Journey Through Spain. Her poems and translations appear in Feminist Studies, The North American Review, The House of Zolo, Bilingualborderless,Quartet Journal and the San Diego Poetry Annual. Her translation of Marjha Paulino's poem, "We Dream Every Night" was longlisted for the Deep Vellum Books Best 2026 Literary Translations.

Be sure to get your reservation in for Stanley’s Gallery talk during Lunch ala art on ________. Lunch costs $12 and you must reserve in advance either by calling the Art Center at 319-372-3996 or placing a reservation by clicking on the event posted on fortmadisonart.com
The exhibition of Mirrors and Milgros will be on display through September 26, 2025.

The FMAAA Art Center provides exhibitions with the support of sponsors. We are keenly grateful for the annual support of Dana Buschong Jewelers in memory of Michele Young, a vibrant individual who is missed on Avenue G.