April 25, 2024

Newton artist takes painting skills to Eastern Europe

By Justin Jagler

Lauren Roush, center, stands in front of her finished mural in Chisinau, Moldova with student volunteers. Roush’s contributions were part of an art project that symbolizes cooperation between countries and celebrates 25 years of independence for Moldova. (Submitted Photo)

A little piece of Iowa is now on display in Eastern Europe thanks to Newton artist Lauren Roush.

Roush painted a mural that covers part of a wall at Republican Stadium in Chisinau, Moldova. The painting, which depicts two hands holding roses, is a symbol of cooperation between Moldova and the United States.

The “Street Art for Moldova” project was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moldova and is being coordinated by the Association of International Volunteering from Moldova (AVI Moldova). It is receiving financial support from the U.S. Embassy.

Pauli Zmolek, who studied art at the University of Iowa and now lives in Maryland, was originally supposed to represent the United States in the art project. However, Zmolek was still recovering from a car accident and was unable to participate, so she recommended Roush.

After interviewing with AVI Moldova President Olga Cortac via Skype, Roush seized the opportunity and prepared for a trip abroad.

Roush had been to Europe before, but her previous experience was tourist-centric and in Italy. She didn’t really get the chance to experience the culture or spend a lot of time with the locals during her first European adventure. In Moldova on the other hand, she was immersed in it all.

“I felt so welcome, and everyone was nice,” Roush said. “It was a genuine type of nice. Everybody was just really proud to show the work that they’ve done on the Republican Stadium.”

The stadium is no longer active and “a little bit destroyed” according to Cortac, so the art project was a creative way to make the capital city of Moldova look nicer. It was also a way to celebrate 25 years of independence for Moldova.

The mural project created a space for intercultural communication between artists from Moldova and artists from abroad, Cortac said. Painting the stadium, which is just one part of a much larger vision to create art in the country, started last year.

Roush had a draft of her painting before flying over to Europe, but she had to adjust to the conditions once she arrived. The surface of the wall was not as smooth as she anticipated, and it was much larger than she envisioned.

“I just kind of jumped in head first,” Roush said. “I didn’t really know what to expect or what I was going to do. I was just going to show up and work with what I had.”

The Newton native’s piece shows hands holding two similar flowers — the wild prairie rose and the dogwood rose. The wild prairie rose is Iowa’s state flower, and the dogwood rose is native to Moldova.

The mural sends a message that aligns perfectly with AVI Moldova’s mission. The organization works to bring harmony, peace and joy around the world, Cortac said.

Roush spent late April and early May in Moldova and has since returned to Newton. There are many opportunities to volunteer in Moldova, she said, and she encourages anybody who is interested to get involved.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com