MAQUOKETA, Iowa -- Walking through the halls Friday of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., Bob Osterhaus attempted to put a historical perspective on the accomplishment.
"It's one of the most exciting things to happen in Maquoketa," said Osterhaus, a former state legislator from Maquoketa. "I would be hard-pressed to find something more (exciting)."
Osterhaus was referencing "Portrait of Maquoketa," a 180-painting series by Maquoketa artist Rose Frantzen on display at the National Portrait Gallery.
The exhibit began on Friday and will continue through July 5 at the prestigious gallery.
In a span of two years, Frantzen oil painted 12-inch-by-12-inch portraits of 180 people in Maquoketa. During the painting, Frantzen conducted formal interviews with her subjects and made audio recordings of their stories.
The project and sound installation for the exhibition was partially funded by an Iowa Arts Council grant. Last year, Frantzen had a showing of the portraits at the Ohnward Fine Arts Center
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Frantzen said the Smithsonian exhibition is the "pinnacle" of her 24-year career as an artist.
"I've had a great career, but this is pretty high up there to have your work shown nationally," Frantzen said. "My idea of what's possible has kind of been blown into a new realm."
The festivities began Thursday with a private reception, which included Frantzen's family and friends, other artists and Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa.
Braley issued a statement on the floor of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday and presented Frantzen a copy of the congressional record.
"My first question was 'Anybody left in Maquoketa?' " Braley said. "To see all the people from Maquoketa and surrounding communities for the opening reception was remarkable.
"Rose was in her element. I had a great time visiting with them."
Several portraits of Osterhaus' family are hanging on the walls of the exhibition.
While honored to be one of the portraits, Osterhaus wanted to keep the spotlight on the artist and others.
"It's about Rose, and it's about our community," Osterhaus said.
