Plum Creek Art Center/Connie Mohr Gallery

hosted an

ARTIST RECEPTION

on JANUARY 18, 2026

From 1-4pm

Featuring David & Lydia Sproull

and 

'Life's Pleasures'

Their art works will be on display until the end of March 2026.

Waverly Author and Coralville Artist to Offer Author & Artist Talk for Beautifully Over It

Fredericksburg, Iowa— Plum Creek Art Center in Fredericksburg will host organizational psychologist and author Dr. Celina Peerman and artist Amanda Collett Rundquist for an Author & Artist Talk and Open House on Saturday, April 11, from 10:30 a.m. – Noon.

With comments beginning at 10:30 a.m., Celina and Amanda will share more about their collaborative work, Beautifully Over It, a poetic and visual collection that has resonated with readers seeking authenticity, courage, and connection.

Beautifully Over Itis more than a book, it layers conversation between poetry and illustration. Featuring 18 poetic pieces written by Peerman and striking black-and-white illustrations by Rundquist, the collection speaks to anyone who has carried too much, juggled it all, or quietly wondered, “Is it okay if I just do it my way?”

With heart, humor, and a dash of rebellion, Peerman’s writing explores the real, unfiltered seasons of life, the messy, complicated, brilliant, exhausting, and while always becoming. Written in moments stolen on planes, in parking lots, and in quiet corners, the pieces are part poems, part pep talks, and part permission slips.

Bringing the words to life, Rundquist’s bold illustrations do more than decorating the page. Her artwork draws out the emotion and rhythm within the lines, creating an immersive experience where language and image meet. Together, the pair demonstrate the power of collaboration, how poetry and art can amplify one another and create something deeper than either could alone.

“Art isn’t extra. It’s essential,” Peerman says. “Both words and visual art give language to what we’re carrying and remind us that we’re not alone. When poetry and illustration meet when people choose collaboration over competition, that’s where real movement begins.”

Dr. Celina Peerman lives in Waverly, Iowa, with her husband of more than 30 years and their grown children nearby. An organizational psychologist and leadership strategist, she has spent her career helping people learn so organizations can improve, strengthening communities in the process. Known for blending insight with humor, she writes, teaches, and speaks on how we lead, grow, and live with more authenticity. The gift of words comes from generations before her, honored every time she types.

Amanda Collett Rundquist, the creative co-architect of Beautifully Over It, is an artist and designer based in Coralville, Iowa. She leads Pura Vida Creative, where she elevates small businesses through branding, print, and digital design. Known for bringing visions to life with creativity and insight, her inspirational art encourages women to rediscover their voices and strength. She lives near her grown children and grandchildren and continues to build art that is both empowering and deeply human.

Copies of Beautifully Over It, along with additional prints and featured items, will be available for purchase and signing following the event.