AMES, IOWA – August 15, 2022 – The Brunnier Art Museum, second floor of the Scheman Building, 1805 Center Drive, Ames, Iowa, reopens on Wednesday, August 24 with an exhibition of woodblock prints and wood sculptures from nationally recognized artist and Ames native John Buck. Drawn from the collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, this major exhibition features prints and sculptures that span a forty-year period. 

In the exhibition John Buck: Prints and Sculpture from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, Buck explores national and global issues in sophisticated works of art that are imbued with complex iconography and often layered with multiple meanings. “My sculpture is inspired by contemporary issues as well as indigenous and folk art of many cultures,” said Buck. “My approach to sculpture is a combination of figurative and abstract compositions which represent the imagination as physical forms and that combine the properties of balance and tension.”

Over the years, Buck has become fascinated with the cultural imagery surrounding his homes in Montana and Hawaii, current events, popular culture, and the irony and humor found in world history and this collected visual vocabulary is woven throughout his printed and sculptural work.

The public is invited to a free reception on Thursday, September 1 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Brunnier Art Museum to celebrate this exhibition, look closely at the intricate and unique works of art, and discuss with University Museums staff and friends. Light refreshments will be served.

Buck’s art demonstrates insight and perspective on the social and political realities of the day. It often explores the enormity and complexity of conflict, yet his figures are whimsical and resilient. Buck manages to make provocative “issues” art, treating the conflict seriously, while his combination of symbols and figures display a sense of humor, and therefore an optimistic balance.

Admission to the Brunnier Art Museum and all University Museums at Iowa State University is free and open to the public. There is a suggested donation of $8. Reopening August 24, 2022, the Brunnier Art Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The museum is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays, but Iowa State University curriculum tours may be scheduled for these days with two-weeks' notice. All University Museums are closed for University Holidays.

This exhibition is organized by the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art. The exhibition is hosted by University Museums with generous support from Stewart Burger, H. Dieter and Renate Dellmann, Priscilla K. and Charles R. Sage, Jim and Diane Patton, and University Museums membership.

Find full descriptions of programs on the University Museums Calendar. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not required. Click the event title to register. Events listed below will be at the Brunnier Art Museum,1805 Center Dr., 295 Scheman Building, Ames, Iowa, unless otherwise noted. Programs are subject to change. Check the University Museums Calendar and Facebook page for the latest events information.

Curator's Tour

Sunday, August 28, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Join Curator Adrienne Gennett for a tour of the brand-new exhibition John Buck: Prints and Sculpture from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. Explore the diverse range of symbols and figures Buck employs to comment on contemporary politics and society through his prints and wood sculptures.

Reception

Thursday, September 1, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

You are invited to celebrate the new exhibition John Buck: Prints and Sculpture from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation on view in the Brunnier Art Museum. Take time to look closely at Buck’s intricate and unique works of art and converse with University Museums staff and friends. Light refreshments served.

The Art of Collaboration and Community Building with Highpoint Center for Printmaking

Thursday, October 6, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Virtual on Zoom (click for link)

Located in Minneapolis, Highpoint Center for Printmaking works to make printmaking an accessible form of art for their community and a diverse range of artists. Dedicated to educating, creating access, and collaboration, Highpoint has spent the last 21 years building community through the art of printmaking. Artistic Director & Master Printer Cole Rogers and Director of Artist Programs Josh Bindewald will discuss their work with both the community and nationally recognized artists.

Sponsored by the Kathy and John Howell Art Enrichment Program.

Date Night in the Brunnier Art Museum

Friday, October 21, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Start your date night out right with a scavenger hunt in the Brunnier! Have fun finding all the hidden images with your special someone or come with friends and compete to see who can find all the images first.

Relief Printmaking Demonstration & Discussion with Raluca Iancu

Wednesday, November 2, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Join Assistant Professor of Art & Visual Culture and Printmaker, Raluca Iancu, as she demonstrates and discusses techniques of relief carved and hand printing.

All works by John Buck, on loan from the collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation

The Lamp, edition Archive Impression 1/1, 1995

woodcut with rubber stamp and hand coloring

Photo: Strode Photographic LLC

Scrimshaw, 2004

wood and acrylic

Photo: Aaron Wessling Photography

The Reef, edition 7/15, 2014

woodblock

Photo: Aaron Wessling Photography

The Times, edition 2/15, 1991

woodcut with rubber stamp

Photo: Strode Photographic LLC

Born in Ames, Iowa in 1946, John Buck earned his BFA degree from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1968 and his MFA degree at the University of California, Davis in 1972, where he studied with artists Robert Arneson, Roy DeForest, Manuel Neri, and William T. Wiley. Buck resides in both Bozeman, Montana and the Big Island of Hawaii; he is well-known for his carved wood and bronze sculptures and monumental woodblock prints.

johnbuckart.com

The Foundation was established in 1997 as a non-profit organization to manage the collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, provide supplemental funding for education and outreach in conjunction with related exhibitions, and publish scholarly texts. Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has organized over 115 exhibitions and has art exhibited at over 120 museums.

jordanschnitzer.org

The Brunnier Art Museum is the only accredited museum emphasizing a decorative arts collection in the state of Iowa and one of the nation's few museums located within a performing arts and conference complex (Iowa State Center). Founded in 1975, the museum is named after its benefactors, Henry J. Brunnier and his wife Ann. Ceramics, glass, dolls, ivory, jade, and enameled metals are all included in the Brunnier Collection.

Museum Hours

Reopens Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Wednesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed to the public Monday & Tuesday. ISU curriculum tours may be scheduled on these days with a 2-week notice.

Closed University Holidays.

Admission is free.

museums.iastate.edu

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

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