CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — “Moravian Madonna,” a larger-than-life reproduction of Joža Uprka’s painting, Girl in a Scarf, will be dedicated next week in Czech Village.
Located on the historic Kosek Building, 87 16th Ave. SW, the mural will be dedicated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell; Cecilia Rokusek, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library president and CEO; Jim Piersall, Czech Village and New Bohemia Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District president; and George Drost, past museum board chair and founder of UprkaUSA.com, will provide remarks.
The dedication is open to the public.
Next week also marks the return of BrewNost, the museum’s signature fundraising event, on Friday, Sept. 19. The international beer, food and music festival kicks off at 5 p.m. with the unveiling of a new sundial on the Buresh Immigration Clock Tower. VIP entrance starts at 5:30 p.m. and general admission opens at 6:30 p.m.
Related: See photos from the dedication of the Buresh Immigration Clock Tower
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s annual BrewNost celebration is set for Sept. 19, 2025.
Visitors are invited after the Sept. 18 mural dedication to view a sampling of Uprka’s paintings from the George Drost Collection in the museum’s Skala Bartizal Library. An exhibit featuring more than 40 Uprka works opens Oct. 4.
The museum notes that Uprka (1861-1940) is often called “the Artist of the Moravian Soul.” His work blended academic technique with Impressionist influences to immortalize the customs and folk dress of his native region in present-day Czech Republic.
Following the record 2008 flood, the Kosek Building served as the museum’s temporary home between 2010 and the 2012 opening of the relocated museum. The Kosek building’s main floor is now occupied by Bare Tones beauty bar.
More: Learn what changes are in store for Czech Village
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