Sword and Sorcery Art Exhibition

Sword and Sorcery Art Exhibition
Sword and sorcery is a subgenre of fantasy fiction featuring rugged, sword-wielding heroes in personal, visceral adventures. Unlike high fantasy, it focuses on intimate stakes—like survival, gold, or revenge—rather than saving the entire world, and treats magic as a dark, dangerous force wielded mostly by villains
Core Characteristics
Low Stakes: Stories center on personal conflicts, heists, or vendettas instead of global catastrophes.
Morally Gray Heroes: Protagonists are often mercenaries, thieves, or outcasts rather than noble knights.
Dangerous Magic: Sorcery is rare, mysterious, and corrupting, usually belonging to evil wizards or ancient monsters.
Fast-Paced & Episodic: Tales are typically punchy short stories or novellas focusing on action and atmospheric grit.
Iconic Works and Creators
Robert E. Howard: Created the genre in the 1930s with Conan the Barbarian.
Fritz Leiber: Coined the term "sword and sorcery" and wrote the tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser.
Michael Moorcock: Introduced the tragic, soul-eating-sword-wielding antihero Elric of Melniboné
The show will be on
Friday December 11th 430p to 7p
Saturday December 12th 1030a to 7p
Free Admission
Featuring amazing artists from around Iowa.
Art of all kinds, 3D, 2D, wall art and handmade items.
Artists in the show!
Dean Sturtevant
Adam Blair
Stephanie Ver Steeg
Autumn Klootwyk
Sam Rudolph
Crystal Waldron
Browse and admire a diverse collection of artwork dedicated to Sword and Sorcery designed entirely by homegrown regional artists.
Meet the creators, chat with fellow art lovers, and support the local cultural scene right in the heart of the historic Merle Hay Mall.
Located at EB within the mall, offering plenty of parking and a comfortable, climate-controlled indoor space to enjoy the show