Tree Planting Group

1924–1935

“5 Turner Alley”: a studio in a carriage-house hayloft

From 1924 to 1935 Wood lived with his mother in the hayloft of a carriage house in Cedar Rapids that he had converted into his personal studio; it had no address until Wood made one up: “5 Turner Alley”.

1930s

Helps Curry and Benton return to the Midwest

John Steuart Curry and Thomas Hart Benton, who with Wood are the artists most associated with Regionalism, returned to the Midwest thanks to his encouragement; he helped them find teaching positions at colleges, Curry in Wisconsin and Benton in Missouri.

1934–1941

A colleague, Lester Longman, tries to get Wood fired

Wood was a closeted homosexual, and a colleague at the university, Lester Longman, made an unsuccessful attempt to have him fired on explicit moral grounds and for his advocacy of regionalism. The university administration dismissed the allegations.

1934–1941

Mentor to students, among them Elizabeth Catlett

At the university Wood supervised mural-painting projects, mentored students including Elizabeth Catlett, produced works of his own and became a key part of the university’s cultural community.

1935

“Revolt Against the City” is published

In 1935 Clio Press of Iowa City published Wood’s “Revolt Against the City”.

1935–1938

Marriage to Sara Sherman Maxon

From 1935 to 1938 Wood was married to Sara Sherman Maxon; friends considered the marriage a mistake for him.