This is a richly illustrated slide talk about the little known involvement in modern camouflage by artists, architects, stage designers, and scientists, a surprising number of whom were originally from Iowa. The co-founder in World War I of the American Army’s Camouflage Corps was a sculptor from Creston, Iowa, while the painter who oversaw the ship camouflage designers during both world wars had grown up in Vinton. Another prominent ship camoufleur was a theatre designer from Ottumwa, and two of the country's top science advisors on camouflage during WWI had been high school classmates in Maquoketa.

As is often noted, Iowa artist Grant Wood served (if briefly) as an army camouflage expert during WWI, as did others who are less well-known. This entertaining fast-paced talk includes rare historic photographs and research collected over fifty years.

1:30 refreshments
2:00 program

This program is free for museum members and included in regular admission for non-members.

Donations are always appreciated.

About the Speaker

Roy R. Behrens is Emeritus Professor and Distinguished Scholar at the University of Northern Iowa. During more than four decades of teaching, he published ten books on aspects of design (including four on camouflage) as well as scores of essays in books, magazines, encyclopedias, and documentary films, including broadcast interviews (including NOVA on PBS and 99% Invisible) and museum exhibitions.

This year, Behrens was chosen to write the catalog introduction for Camouflage: Designed to Deceive, a three-year exhibition at the International Spy Museum in Washington DC. His most recent books are Frank Lloyd Wright and Mason City: Architectural Heart of the Prairie (History Press 2015) and Dreams of Fields: Memory Traces of Iowa’s Past (Ice Cube Press 2025).

☕️ BYOM!
Guests are welcome to bring their own mugs if they wish. Disposable cups are provided, but help us reduce waste and bring a favorite mug!

Not a member? Memberships start at $45 a year and grant free admission to the museum anytime. Your membership includes admission to all of our Kaffee und Kuchen programs plus discounts on workshops, special events, gift shop purchases, and more. Visit the front desk or purchase a membership online.

*Guests will be asked to present their membership cards at the front desk if they registered for the program as a member. If you are unsure of your membership status or need a replacement membership card, please contact christa@gahc.org or call 563-322-8844 x0

Photography Policy: By responding to this event, you are giving your consent for the German American Heritage Center and Museum to use any photographs taken of you during the program for marketing purposes. We appreciate your support in helping us share the impact of our events with a wider community audience.

Contact the host of Kaffee und Kuchen: Cornbelt Camouflage Experts

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