Many artists dream of the day their work will hang in a museum. That dream became a reality for a select group of Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) students during the 2025 College Art Invitational at the Figge Art Museum.

Hand-selected by their instructors to represent the best of EICC’s creative community, the featured artwork included intricate ink drawings, compelling digital compositions, and expressive ceramic sculptures. Each piece was displayed in the Figge’s Katz Gallery, a space known for exhibiting work by renowned artists from around the globe. The Invitational provided these students with an extraordinary chance to showcase their talents professionally, while connecting with fellow emerging artists from colleges across the region.

MEET THE ARTISTS & THEIR WORK

Alyssa VanderHeiden

Alyssa VanderHeiden
“I think every artist deals with imposter syndrome at some point, but seeing my piece in a museum made me realize that my work has value. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, it just has to be mine.”
Alyssa VanderHeiden


Alyssa’s Still Life Self-Portrait is a meticulous ballpoint pen drawing, filled with objects that define her identity—art supplies, music, and personal mementos. Now majoring in Studio Art at Clarke University, she reflects on her time at EICC and how this experience shaped her art education.

Read Alyssa’s Story

Amelia House

Amelia House
“I want people to feel something when they look at my work, even if that feeling is discomfort.”
Amelia House


With Endless Decay, Amelia House captured emotion through ink, using deep contrast and relentless shading to create a work that feels both chaotic and intentional. A student at Clinton Community College, House's piece invites viewers to feel the weight of emotion through its form and structure.

Read Amelia’s Story

Gideon Cable Hall

Gideon Cable Hall
“It doesn’t matter if you’re good at art—it matters if you enjoy it.”
Gideon Cable Hall


A Computer Science major with a love for ceramics, Gideon Cable Hall uses art to explore emotion, space, and mental health. His piece, Small Space, Big Feelings, reflects how our surroundings shift with our state of mind. As President of Scott Community College’s Art Club, he encourages others to embrace creativity as a personal and meaningful outlet.

Read Gideon’s Story

Spencer Paxton

Spencer Paxton
“People think self-portraits are supposed to be about what you look like,” he said. “But I think this says more about me than a drawing of my face ever could.”
Spencer Paxton


Spencer’s Self-Portrait, 2024 is a reflection of identity without a face—told through meaningful objects like a stuffed animal, gaming keepsakes, and handcrafted pieces. Now pursuing American Sign Language (ASL) - English Interpreting at EICC, he proves that creativity isn’t limited to one path—it’s something that stays with you, no matter where life leads.

Read Spencer’s Story

Sonja Tarallo

Sonja Tarallo
“Don’t let anyone put you in a box. Put yourself in your work. If you understand it, that’s all that matters.”
Sonja Tarallo


A mother, cancer survivor, and former pharmacy technician, Sonja Tarallo returned to school to pursue Graphic Arts at EICC. Her art piece, Father Time and Mother Nature Playing Chess, won third place at the Invitational, proving it’s never too late to redefine yourself.

Read Sonja’s Story

 

FIND YOUR PASSION

At EICC, creativity has no limits. Whether you're preparing for a four-year degree like Alyssa and Amelia, launching a career in graphic design like Sonja, or embracing art as a lifelong passion like Gideon and Spencer, we offer the classes, tools, and support to help you grow.

There’s a world of creative possibilities waiting for you.

Explore our Applied Digital, Visual, & Communication Arts programs at eicc.edu/finearts.