AMES, IOWA – November 1, 2022 – Iowa State University’s iconic Fountain of the Four Seasons is about to undergo significant conservation. This public work of art includes four limestone Maidens and a terra cotta ring surrounding a fountainhead, all within a pool outside the north entrance of the Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa. The Fountain of the Four Seasons was created in 1941 by Iowa State’s artist-in-residence Christian Petersen. As part of Iowa State University’s Art on Campus Collection, the Fountain of the Four Seasons is a well-known tribute to the importance of agriculture to the state of Iowa, the nation, internationally, and to past, present, and future civilizations.

Photo by Chris Gannon

This conservation and replication project has been in planning for multiple years, as analysis of the condition of the fountain has been recorded and monitored during previous smaller scale treatments. The conservation project will address issues of wear from over 80 years the Maidens have spent outdoors, and it will end further considerable wear on the original by re-carving the sculpture and placing the 1941 Maidens indoors.

Dedicated in 1937 as a gift from the VEISHEA Committee, the pool structure predates the Petersen sculpture. The Fountain of the Four Seasons was unveiled at the 1941 VEISHEA celebration and has remained an iconic placeholder for central campus. As part of this project, the pool will be removed and rebuilt, reusing materials when possible. This will stabilize the 1937 basin to support the new sculpture and increase the water use efficiency of the fountain. This aspect of the project aims to make the fountain eco-friendlier and the upkeep sustainable. The pool and plumbing system will undergo updates to the water filtration, have a new coating system, and receive enhancements including lighting upgrades.

Weather-permitting, the removal of the original sculpture is scheduled to begin Saturday, November 12, 2022 with plans for the Maidens to be craned offsite Saturday, November 19. During this time, barricades will be present and access to the north entrance to the Memorial Union may have detours. Offsite replication and conservation of the Maidens will happen through summer 2023. Construction on the fountain site will begin in spring 2023. In fall 2023, the replicated Maidens and terra cotta ring will be installed on the fountain; the pool will remain unfilled from early November 2022 through winter 2023 to allow time for materials to properly cure. The pool and fountain will be filled again when weather permits in spring 2024. The original Maidens will be placed at indoors at a location yet to be determined.

This project involves several Iowa State University departments. University Museums is responsible for the conservation, replication, and care of the art; Facilities Planning and Management is responsible for the pool structure; and the Memorial Union will keep visitors informed on how this project affects accessibility and events in that building. University Museums has a page online at museums.iastate.edu dedicated to this project, including the history and significance of the Fountain of the Four Seasons. This page will stay updated with the latest information and images. For information about how this project affects the Memorial Union, visit mu.iastate.edu.

This is a project funded by the Office of the President at Iowa State University.

Francis Miller founded ConservArt LLC in 1999 to provide professional conservation treatments that uphold the conservation standards and ethics as outlined by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. ConservArt LLC provides full conservation services for historic Colonial Cemeteries, as well as, contemporary, modern and historic sculpture, monuments, fountains and architectural objects.

With active, hands-on conservation treatment beginning in 1991, Miller has diverse experience preserving a wide range of objects and materials. He actively directs and participates in all phases of planning and implementation. His scope of knowledge provides insight and sensitivity for current conservation projects. Miller has a BA in Studio Arts from the University of California, Davis, with an emphasis of ceramic sculpture, drawing, and photography and an MFA in sculpture and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

In 1999, the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) recognized his dedication to preserving our nation’s treasures by awarding him the title of Professional Associate.

Conservation workshops lead by Miller include the National Center for Preservation Training and Technology (NCPTT), and the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS), where he serves on the Board of Directors and the Board’s Preservation Committee. Awards include the Connecticut Trust Award of Merit, 2015 for the conservation of the severely deteriorated brownstone sculpture, The Forlorn Soldier, now safely on display in the Connecticut State Capitol.

Since the 1990s, Francis Miller has been the sole modern conservator for the Christian Petersen sculptures in the University Museums’ collection.

conserve-art.com

University Museums is a distinctive organization that encompasses two art museums, a National Historic Landmark historic home museum, a sculpture garden, and one of the largest campus public art collections in the nation. University Museums brings world-class exhibitions with educational programming to Iowa State University actively acquires works of art to add to the more than 30,000 permanent collection objects, conserves and preserves collections, conducts and publishes curatorial scholarship, and fosters student engagement.

museums.iastate.edu

Iowa State University is home to one of the largest campus public art programs in the United States. Over 2,500 public works of art make up the Art on Campus Collection, and are located across campus in buildings, courtyards, open spaces and classrooms. Iowa State’s public art contributes to a beautiful campus, and it is required to be intellectually relevant and utilized in curricula. The Art on Campus Collection and Program, formalized in 1980, includes acquisition, care and maintenance in addition to scholarship and educational programming.

museums.iastate.edu/visit/art-on-campus-collection

To schedule interviews, photograph events, or request high-resolution images, please contact Alisha Abner at 515.294.3342 or aabner@iastate.edu.