Marilyn Tamm-Schmitt
Raised in Eastern Iowa, Marilyn grew up with a love of nature and animals. Summer days were spent biking through the Iowa countryside, down dirt roads and along riverbeds, always admiring the beautiful landscape and the birds and animals that lived there. Rescuing injured animals became a regular event, whether it be an injured bird, a trapped turtle or an abandoned cat or dog. At an early age Marilyn’s parents bought her a simple Kodak 126 instamatic camera. Now Marilyn’s country outings included taking photos along her routes.
In college, Marilyn pursued photography, taking a few courses and learning to develop and print her own pictures in the on-campus lab. Upon graduation, Marilyn’s brother bought her a 35 mm film camera and her passion for photography continued. For the next 36 years after graduating from college, Marilyn taught modern languages in area schools and even taught for a couple of years overseas.
Throughout her teaching career, the animal rescue and photography continued. Eventually Marilyn and her husband Randy established a photography studio where they created portraits for seniors, families and weddings. Meanwhile, the abandoned and injured animals continued to find their way to Marilyn and so came the establishment of an animal shelter in Fonda, currently called the “Cedar Creek Sanctuary.”
Now retired from teaching, both Marilyn and Randy continue to care for the homeless animals and pursue photography, now focusing on wildlife and Iowa scenery. Together the couple has established a gallery in Fonda, the “Prairie Song Gallery,” where visitors can leisurely browse through an entire building of photography and artwork, pausing in rooms to absorb the view and listen to relaxing music. Rooms at the gallery feature a wide variety of photo subjects, each room focusing on specific subjects like “Birds, Blooms and Butterflies,” “Winter in Iowa,” “Horses,” “Wildlife” and “Animals.” Visitors, individuals and groups are most welcome and are asked to call to set up a time to visit that works in their schedule. The coffee pot and refreshments are always ready to make it a truly enjoyable visit.
For inquiries and to purchase, please contact Marilyn at 712.749.0442 or mtstlc@iowatelecom.net.