Mirrors and Milagros : A Collection of Collage By Corinne Stanley

FORT MADISON - 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.
Everyone is invited to the opening reception on Thursday, September 4 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at the FMAAA Art Center, located at 825 Avenue G in Fort Madison. Enjoy light refreshments while you meet the artist and take in these 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 all reflect a vibrant and sacred environment.” Stanley continues, “Borders created with loteria (bingo) cards and Spanish playing cards (naipes) colorfully represent popular culture.”
Her 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 lives in Iowa City as a memoirist and author, in addition to being a poet and artist. She sells 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.

Come hear the artist talk about her work and her experiences. Stanley has a clear perspective as an artist who has followed her passions, finding the means to support herself through multiple creative channels. Be sure to get your reservation in for Stanley’s Gallery talk during Lunch ala art on Friday, September 26. The luncheon begins at noon and costs $12. Reservations are required 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. You do not need to eat lunch to participate in the Gallery talk which begins immediately following the lunch. Just plan to arrive by 12:30pm to settle in before the talk begins. 

The exhibition of Mirrors and Milgros will be on display until the Gallery talk concludes on Friday, September  26. The FMAAA Art Center provides exhibitions with the support of sponsors. We are keenly grateful for the multi year pledge of support from Dana Bushong Jewelers in memory of Michele Young, a vibrant individual who is missed on Avenue G.