For nearly two decades, Rodger Gerberding of Council Bluffs, Iowa, has returned to the Red Barn Studio Museum as an Artist-in-Residence from September 22nd through October 9th. A painter, illustrator, writer, and actor, Gerberding finds endless inspiration in the people, places, and everyday moments.
During his residency, visitors are invited to stop by the studio to see works in progress and visit with the artist as he develops new paintings inspired by his surroundings.
Working primarily in painting, drawing, and mixed media, Gerberding creates expressive, layered compositions where recognizable figures, landscapes, homes, and animals appear and disappear from loose, gestural brushmarks. His work balances observation with imagination, inviting viewers into scenes that feel both familiar and dreamlike.
Gerberding often begins with sketches and observations gathered while wandering Lindsborg before transforming them into finished works. His annual return to the Red Barn has become an important part of his creative practice, providing both inspiration and a chance to reconnect with a community that has influenced his work for many years.
