Fair-goers can experience "Your Beautiful Adventure" at the Varied Industries Building Aug. 11-21, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. In partnership with University Museums, the exhibit will offer visitors a virtual trip to campus with a little help from their smartphones, a green screen, and digital images of iconic Iowa State scenes.

 

Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to see campus art in the making. Iowa native Rose Frantzen, an internationally acclaimed oil painter, will produce portraits of 20 alumni and friends representing Iowa State's colleges and units. The portraits will be on display throughout the fair and become a part of the university's art collection.

 

The exhibit, "Your Beautiful Adventure," is a reflection of Iowa State's aesthetic legacy.

 

"We know that Iowa State's landscape, architecture, and public art are just as vital to the outstanding educational experience we're recognized for as our state-of-the-art technology and learning and research facilities," President Steven Leath said. "This is what makes our university one of the most inspiring and invigorating places in the world to discover, learn, and achieve."

 

In addition to the exhibit, Iowa State Extension and Outreach is "planted" throughout the fairgrounds. Visitors will enjoy a "bloom" of improvements to the Discovery Garden (south of the Agriculture Building) courtesy of Extension and Outreach's Master Gardeners Program. Mrs. Iowa and Master Gardner, Rosanne Plante, will make a special appearance on Aug. 11, 1-3 p.m., and an online drawing will be held for five scholarships for the Master Gardener educational course and a family membership to Reiman Gardens.

 

4-H youth from all 99 counties will bring nearly 5,000 displays, presentations, and competitions to the fair. High school 4-H exhibitors will be eligible for scholarships from the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Business.

 

State 4-H Youth Development Program Leader John-Paul Chaisson-Cárdenas will speak on Aug. 13 at 2 p.m. at the MidAmerican Energy Stage about his journey from Guatemala to Iowa State.

 

Extension and Outreach will also launch the Android version of the popular Iowa State Fair Food Finder App, which provides nutritional information and locations for every fair food.

 

Fans can get temporary Cyclone tattoo s, football posters, and photos with athletic trophies . Expect guest appearances by Iowa State coaches and athletes.

 

Did you know? The University Museums "Art on Campus" is one of the largest campus public art programs in the country.