Admission and programs are free and open to the public. Donations support student engagement through exhibitions and educational programs. | |
Remember: Your University Museums are all closed to change exhibitions and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 16 with regular hours. | |
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In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
There were some issues with our end-of-the-year email from December 18 getting to some inboxes. If you missed it, you can check it out here and see the statistics from 2023.
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Here are the exhibitions opening in January and February 2024!
Click on the image or the exhibition title to go to the page to learn more. Each page has free programs and events that go along with that exhibition. Find all of our upcoming programs on our online calendar.
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THE ART OF ELIZABETH CATLETT from the Collection of Samella Lewis
January 16–May 10, 2024
Elizabeth Catlett (1915 – 2015) was one of the most prominent African American artists of the 20th century. As an artist, she was devoted to creating beautiful and powerful images of the world she knew, with a focus on Black women, motherhood, the Civil Rights movement, and her life in Mexico. Through prints and sculpture, Catlett makes visible with empathy and great skill those that were always overlooked in art because of their race.
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Small Pleasures: Tiny Art from the Permanent Collection
January 16–July 26, 2024
Small Pleasures asks the visitor to marvel in the miniscule – from a small Roman bronze of Hercules, to miniature Chinese ceramics, to the wonder of micro mosaic jewelry, to a beautiful painting of a cloud. Luxuriate in the slow and close looking of University Museums Small Pleasures.
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Rookwood: America's Contribution to the Fine Arts
January 16–December 20, 2024
Ann Brunnier Decorative Arts Gallery
Marie and Mark Latta have been collecting American Art Pottery for years. Their expansive collection includes rare and experimental examples of the iconic shapes and glazes made at many potteries, but especially at Rookwood. Together they have selected nearly 100 examples from their collection of different glazes and decorative techniques made at Rookwood to examine the creativity, skill, and innovation found in the American ceramic industry.
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Two exhibitions about Christian Petersen guest curated by Jerome Thompson, retired curator of the State of Iowa! | |
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Christian Petersen: A Sense of Place in Campus Life
January 16–July 26, 2024
Campbell Gallery, 1017 Morrill Hall
From 1934-1955 Christian Petersen was artist-in-residence at Iowa State and sculpted public and studio works of art for the College and its departments. Working with faculty, staff and students he conceived, sculpted and installed iconic works of art that expressed Iowa State’s land grant mission. While many of Petersen’s sculptures are place specific around campus, this exhibition will rely on sketches, models, and concept drawings from the vast collections housed at the University Museums to figuratively bring these works of art into the Campbell Gallery at the Christian Petersen Art Museum.
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Sculpting an Icon: Christian Petersen's Fountain of the Four Seasons
January 16–December 20, 2024
Reiman Gallery, 0003 Morrill Hall, lower level
This exhibition will explore the origins of the Fountain of the Four Seasons on ISU’s campus, and its journey to become the iconic work of art it is today. Historical material, artist sketches, models and more will work to tell the story of this work of art and the ongoing conservation an iconic public work of art requires.
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World's Fairs, Expositions, & Centennial Celebrations of the Victorian Era
February 1–October 31, 2024
Curated by Gracia Koele, 2023 Pohlman Fellow
World's fair and expo objects and souvenirs remain highly collectable today. The selected objects in this exhibition help tell the story of the evolution of these major influential events - the good and the bad, the artistic and the functional. The use of primary source objects of the period allows visitors to the exhibition to evaluate the merits of aspects of the past and learn about how the future of these expos is now focused on entertainment through technological innovation and eco-awareness rather than cultural misappropriation.
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George Washington Carver Across Campus
Three Exhibitions Campus-wide
February 1–July 26, 2024
“I have no words to adequately express my impressions of dear old I.S.C. All I am and all I hope to be, I owe in a very large measure to this blessed institution.” -George Washington Carver, May 1921
George Washington Carver’s legacy has been honored over the years through numerous works of art in the University Museums’ permanent collection and Art on Campus Collection.
Carver, the budding artist, was inspired and encouraged by former Farm House resident Etta Budd. Carver, the student, was clearly impacted by the professors and leaders at Iowa State as catalogued in a six-page letter written by Carver to Louis Pammel in May of 1921 in response to Pammel’s inquiry into Carver’s life story and impactful individuals.
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George Washington Carver, The Student & Artist
Farm House Museum
601 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA
Several works of art from the permanent collection by Carver’s advocate Etta May Budd, and a ceramic vase attributed to Carver are exhibited at the Farm House Museum, Iowa State’s oldest building. Along with these objects, portraits and decorative arts that relate to the many individuals Carver noted in his letter of 1921 are highlighted. In conjunction with the exhibition World Fairs, Expositions & Centennial Celebrations of the Victorian Era a brief look at Carver’s artistic and military connections to the 1893 Chicago World Fairs are examined.
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George Washington Carver, the Student & Innovator
Dean's Art Gallery, Curtiss Hall
513 Farm House Lane, Ames, IA
This installation explores through portraiture the influence on Carver the Iowa State faculty, administration and students had on the success of Carver becoming the innovator he is celebrated today.
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George Washington Carver, The Student & Visionary
Multiple Sites
This self-guided exhibition tour explores, through historical and contemporary portraiture, the encouragement of young Carver by Iowa State faculty and administration that allowed for his success while on campus and led to him becoming the visionary person he is celebrated today.
The downloadable PDF of this tour will be available online by February 1, 2024.
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Events, Activities, & More | |
Click the title of events for more information and/or to register. Registration is not required for events unless there is limited capacity. Registering allows us to send you updates and reminders for the event. All University Museums events are free and open to the public. | |
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Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Office CLOSED for University Holiday
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024
Office CLOSED for University Holiday
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024
Museums open with new exhibitions
Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024
2:00-3:00pm
Curator's Tour of THE ART OF ELIZABETH CATLETT from the Collection of Samella Lewis
with Adrienne Gennett
Brunnier Art Museum
Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024
5:00-6:00pm
Exhibition Tour of Christian Petersen: A Sense of Place in Campus Life
with Sydney Marshall
Christian Petersen Art Museum
Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024
2:00-3:00pm
Screening of Standing Strong: Elizabeth Catlett and Q&A with the Director and Producer
Brunnier Art Museum
Wednesday, Jan. 31
noon-1:00pm
Art Walk: Scientific Exploration
led by docent Rick Bartosh
begins at Advanced Teaching & Research Bldg. atrium
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University Museums is always open online | | | | |
