Czech Village has a new mural.
Located on the historic Kosek Building, 87 16th Ave. SW, “Moravian Madonna” looks out to passersby dressed in a colorful kroj (traditional clothing).
The mural, a larger-than-life reproduction of Joža Uprka’s painting, Girl in a Scarf from Veselí nad Moravou, will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 18. Tiffany O’Donnell, Cedar Rapids mayor; Cecilia Rokusek, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library president and CEO; Jim Piersall, Czech Village and New Bohemia Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District of the City of Cedar Rapids president; and George Drost, past NCSML board chair and founder of UprkaUSA.com, will provide brief remarks.
Following the dedication, which is open to the public, visitors are welcome to view a sampling of Uprka’s paintings from the George Drost Collection in the Skala Bartizal Library. An exhibit featuring more than 60 Uprka works opens October 4 at NCSML.
Uprka (1861-1940) is often called “the Artist of the Moravian Soul.” His work blended academic technique with Impressionist influences to immortalize the customs and folk dress of his native region in present-day Czech Republic.
Following the 2008 flood, the Kosek Building served as NCSML’s temporary home between 2010 and the 2012 opening of the expanded museum and library. The building’s main floor is now occupied by Bare Tones beauty bar.
