Experiential Education: Seasonal Social Series

Event Summary

Join the Experiential Education Collaborative for its new Seasonal Social Series. This spring, explore how some outdoor educators are incorporating arts education into their practice and hear from a seasoned classroom arts educator about creating exciting and integrative arts education in our local schools. This event will feature an intimate discussion with Ryan Bentzinger, an Iowa City-based Teaching Artist, and Amanda Stallman, a Naturalist with Louisa County Conservation. The discussion will be moderated by Mal Hellman, a founding member of the Experiential Education Collaborative. 

This is a casual event where you can learn from our speakers, chat with others working in the field, and enjoy a cozy evening at this favorite Iowa City establishment.

Schedule: 

5:00-5:30 p.m. Arrive, mingle, check out tables

5:30-6:15 p.m. Discussion with Ryan Bentzinger & Amanda Stallman moderated by Mal Hellman

6:15-6:30 p.m. Mingle & self-guided activities

Ryan Bentzinger Bio: 

Ryan Bentzinger is a teaching artist based out of Iowa City. He graduated with a BA in Studio Art with Honors in Education from the University of Iowa (2011) and is currently pursuing an MA in Art Education at the University of Iowa. He was the Teaching Artist and Integrated Arts Coordinator at Willowwind School for ten years. He is currently the Teaching Artist at Wilton Jr-Sr High School, as well as an Instructor on Record and Teaching Assistant in Art Education at the University of Iowa.  

Ryan's artwork is inspired by society, storytelling, and imagination. He has exhibited his artwork internationally, and some of his pieces have been acquired in permanent collections. Ryan self-published a graphic novel, nAMUH: Book 1, and has painted murals across Iowa.   

More about Ryan:

• Student taught in New Zealand in 2011
• 2025 Runner-Up PTO Teacher of the Year Award - Wilton Parent Teacher Organization
• 2021 Robert E. Yager 2021 Active Learning Award - The Iowa Children’s Museum

Amanda Stallman Bio: 

My passion for conservation was forged on a small farm in Amana, Iowa. Whether I was sitting by the creek watching the current, creating mud art, or helping burn pastures for our cattle, my childhood was defined by the Iowa landscape.

In 2022, I turned that lifelong interest into a career, graduating from Kirkwood Community College with a degree in Parks and Natural Resources. Since then, I’ve hit the ground running—serving as a seasonal technician for Johnson County, a horticulture technician for Iowa City, and an AmeriCorps Environmental Educator. Most recently, I served as the lead Education Coordinator for a conservation non-profit, where I worked to inspire the next generation of land stewards.

Today, I’m proud to call Louisa County home and serve the community as a Naturalist Technician for Louisa County Conservation. When I’m not in the field, you can find me kayaking, volunteering with a chainsaw, weight-lifting, or sitting in the prairie creating art with a variety of media.

Accommodations

JCC is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. We welcome and encourage people with disabilities to attend programs and events. Accommodations may be requested by contacting naturalist staff at 319-645-1011 or jccnaturalists@gmail.com

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Programs