Arts & Culture

Your Place for Arts and Culture

Waverly enjoys a thriving arts community. Public art can be found throughout the community’s parks, from sculptures designed by local artists to the Shades of Rhythm Amphitheater which serves as a music venue as well as a public art feature.

The Amphitheater, located in Kohlmann Park along the Cedar River is the result of an award-winning design project by two Iowa State University architecture students, Ann Cashman of Waverly and Darian Lu of Shanghai, China. The elegant design includes curved ribs of colored, recycled glass which form a visual crescendo behind the elevated stage, rising to a height of 16 feet before sliding down to only a few feet tall.The structure is lit at night with changing light colors.

The Art Walk is Waverly’s annual juried fine arts and crafts show held the first Saturday in May. Held in Kohlmann Park along the beautiful Cedar River in downtown Waverly, artists sell their works of media ranging from basketry, jewelry, pottery, photography, painting, and more. The event also features live music, food vendors, and art activities for the kids.

Music is at the center of Waverly’s arts and culture scene. Enjoy weekly Concerts in Kohlmann during the months of June and July featuring the Waverly Municipal Band as well as other local music groups. Or take in a performance of the Wartburg Community Symphony, which performs orchestral favorites as well as new and innovative music in the Neumann Auditorium on the Wartburg campus. Additional "on-campus" musical events are performed by the college's many musical ensembles who annually come together to create the award-winning Christmas with Wartburg concerts, which have become a holiday tradition for many in the area.

The Waverly Chamber Music Series brings to town world renown artists who enjoy playing classical chamber music in the acoustic-friendly narthex of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School. Past guests include the Boston Trio, the Mirandola Ensemble and the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet to name a few. All concerts are offered to the public free of charge.

Perhaps you are a musician looking for an opportunity to utilize your musical talents? The New Horizons Band, sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa Community Music School, welcomes beginners and experienced musicians alike.

The Waldemar A. Schmidt Art Gallery is located on the ground floor of the Bachman Fine Arts Center at Wartburg College. Exhibits are composed of works from local, national, and international artists. The gallery is free and open to the public.

When it comes to arts and culture, there is something in Waverly for everyone to enjoy.