Maquoketa is bucking a trend. Its population remains steady, instead of shrinking like many rural towns. After a massive fire destroyed five buildings in 2008, the town started thinking creatively about how to remain vibrant, pouring energy into developing venues to host artists and musicians. Today, the town is home to the Maquoketa Art Experience, Old City Hall Gallery, and the storied music venue Codfish Hollow. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Rose Frantzen, who owns Old City Hall Gallery with her husband Chuck Morris, intentionally opened a gallery there because she had a vision for her hometown. She brought international attention to the community with her Portraits of Maquoketa project, which is now owned by the Figge in Davenport. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Read the full story and find more reporting from our #IowaInFocus series by following the link in our bio.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 📸: IPR/Lindsey Moon⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #rurallife #IANews #art #gallery