Young Visual Artist from Decorah Recognized for Outstanding Visual Arts Work

It's your town. Your lives. Your stories. Make sure someone's telling them—donate to Decorah News now. DECORAH — The University of Iowa's Grant Wood Art Colony has selected three Iowa high school students to receive the Grant Wood Legacy Prize for outstanding achievement in the visual arts, including Decorah High School sophomore Victoria "Tori" Stammeyer. "The Grant Wood Legacy Prize enables the University of Iowa to discover and recognize young Iowa artists and encourage their talent," said Maura Pilcher, director of the Grant Wood Art Colony. Current Grant Wood Fellows, Kyle Marshall, Ada Friedman and Elizabeth Rose, selected this year's recipients. The other two award recipients are Jazmin Knapp of West High School in Davenport and Esme Hutchinson-Reuss of Iowa City High School in Iowa City. The judges chose the winners from more than 400 submissions by Iowa students working in media historically practiced by Grant Wood, including jewelry, painting, drawing and illustration, printmaking, design, ceramics and glass, and mixed media. Students were recognized for both artistic skill and the strength of their regional voice. "We're so excited for Tori and thrilled that her work was chosen for this award. Tori is a hardworking artist who has a lot of creative potential," said Erik Dutcher, DHS art teacher. The Grant Wood Legacy Prize is presented in collaboration with the Belin-Blank Center, the Iowa and Midwest Region-at-Large affiliate of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. On Saturday, March 7, 2026, the awardees will be recognized during the Belin-Blank Center's Regional Awards Celebration. Held at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City, the open-house-style event will welcome several hundred artists, writers and their families for an art exhibition, reading room, community art mural, awards stage and community partner exhibits. Established in 2016, the prize honors Iowa's most renowned artist, Grant Wood, a lifelong educator whose teaching career ranged from Cedar Rapids' McKinley Junior High in the 1920s to the Stone City Art Colony in the 1930s and continued until his death while serving on the University of Iowa faculty. The Grant Wood Art Colony remains committed to advancing Wood's legacy by fostering artistic development and supporting the next generation of Iowa artists. Be in the know, always! The free newsletter delivers local news, features, and tips directly to you—perfect for busy readers.