DES MOINES – Get a double dose of art when two new exhibitions go on display at the Capitol Building and the State Historical Museum of Iowa next month.

Iowa Artist Fellow Molly Wood's "Art at the Library: Fatal Flora" will be on display at the State Law Library while Lucas Underwood's "Art at the Cafe: Man Made" can be seen at Cafe Baratta's in the State Historical Museum beginning Nov. 1 through Jan. 31.

In "Fatal Flora," Wood takes her audience back to the Renaissance, when women who knew plants could be used for culinary, medicinal and even poisonous purposes were considered a threat to the medical and clerical professionals. The women were often accused of witchcraft.

That history fascinates Wood, who captures the beauty of botanicals in photographs using only window light and inspiration from Dutch still-life paintings. Each image is a metaphor for the natural cycles of life, death and rebirth.

By contrast, Underwood's "Man Made" is a collection of multi-layered portrait collages, assembled from bits of maps, photos and news clippings and covered with almost obsessively drawn details. The portraits, like the men they represent, appear to be in a state of development or transition.

The Iowa Arts Council partners with the State Law Library to showcase a rotating selection of work from contemporary Iowa artists in the "Art at the Library" exhibition, and works with the State Historical Museum of Iowa and Cafe Baratta's to present the "Art at the Cafe" exhibition, also a quarterly rotation of work by Iowa artists.

If you go:

What: "Art at the Library: Fatal Flora"

When: Nov. 1 - Jan. 31 Where: State Law Library at the Capitol Building, 1007 E. Grand Avenue in Des Moines Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday Admission: Free

What: "Art at the Cafe: Man Made" When: Nov. 1 - Jan. 31 with an opening reception 5-7 p.m. Nov. 2 Where: Cafe Baratta's at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Saturday Admission: Free