Cornell Butler first saw Chelstad's paintings when he was walking past the Sioux City Music Conservatory. The colors of Chelstad’s painting caught Butler’s attention; he went inside the conservatory to ask about the painting’s meaning. It was the first time he heard the story depicted by the painting. The experience left him questioning why he had never learned about that part of history. Cornell is writing a collection of poems inspired by the painting, hoping to give a voice to the people it represents.
