Posted 15 May, 2026
Not many college students get the chance to work with a historic piece of art created by an internationally-renowned artist – but for University of Northern Iowa student Anissa Droessler, that rare opportunity became a reality.
Droessler, a UNI Art Education major, recently contributed to a documentary project centered on Grant Wood’s World War I memorial windows, located in the Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Building. As part of the project, she worked directly with Wood’s original preparatory drawings of the intricate, stained glass windows – helping piece together the original blueprint that will appear in an upcoming film, “Grant Wood’s Window,” which is being produced by Iowa City-based nonprofit New Mile Media Arts.
Though the work carried pressure, it also provided a unique, hands-on look at the preservation process.
“It was essentially like putting a puzzle together, except the pieces were very worn and tattered from age,” Droessler said. “It was fun, but also very nerve-wracking. Working with artifacts made by a famous artist while cameras are on you can be extra daunting, but I learned a lot about the preservation process and all the precautions you have to take before you can even pick up a job.”
Beyond the technical skills, the project offered a deeper connection to Iowa’s artistic legacy. Grant Wood, best known for American Gothic, remains one of the state’s most influential artists, and his work continues to shape the region’s cultural identity. By working with original materials tied to his process, Droessler gained insight into both the artistry and the historical significance behind the memorial windows.
The experience also reinforced the broader impact of art education. For Droessler, engaging directly with these materials highlighted the importance of helping future students look beyond the surface of a work of art – understanding not just how it looks, but what it represents.
“Looking back on it, I think working with these blueprints made me feel more appreciative of my history,” she said. “Growing up in the area, I used to pass the window and think, ‘Wow, it's pretty.’ But after this project, I found myself actually interacting with the art and recognizing the symbolism with each detail. In the future, I hope I can get my students to interact with different works of art, especially from our local artists. Through identifying different details and symbols and theorizing what they mean, our students can gain a lot of perspective and find little things to fawn over.”
After she graduates, Droessler is planning to pursue a career in art education – teaching at the elementary or secondary level. Opportunities like this, combined with the classroom learning and fieldwork in local schools she’s gained at UNI, are giving her the tools and experiences she needs to make a difference as an educator.