Grant Wood, perhaps Iowa’s most famous artist, etched his name into history with his unforgettable masterpiece, “American Gothic,” the famous painting of a husband and wife on the farm, now on display at the Art Institute of Chicago.

“Find what makes your place, your people special and paint that,” Wood once said. This quote describes Grant Wood’s passion for art, and it’s the reason why he has made such a definite impact on Iowa history.

Iowa actor Tom Milligan will recreate Wood’s passion as he performs in the award-winning play, “Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel,” today at Parks Library.

Milligan acts out the life of Grant Wood and his counterparts, tracing the major highs and lows in his career.

“I play his mother, father, grandfather, neighbors, educators, critics, people he worked with,” Milligan said in a press release. “I attempt to introduce in small ways his other works, like movie posters and stained glass windows, and talk about them.”

The play was written by Iowa playwright Cynthia Mercati and won the 1999 American Association of Community Theaters competition for Iowa. Mercati has written more than 30 plays.

“Grant Wood: Prairie Rebel” will touch on all the major events in Wood’s career, from the rebellion he led against the New York art world to his debate surrounding his most famous painting “American Gothic.”

The play will be presented at the Parks Library, in front of the Grant Wood Murals on the Second floor rotunda. It will be followed by a question and answer session in which audience members will be encouraged to share their impressions of the artist.