Brunnier Art Museum
August 26 - December 19, 2025
Angel Tear 02471, 2017 by Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, b. 1934). Blown glass. Purchased by University Museums with funds from the Joyce Tomlinson Brewer Fund for Art Acquisition and the Edward D. Sheridan Memorial Fund. In the permanent collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. UM2020.36
Preserving the Past entails more than merely caring for inherited objects. Throughout the 50-year history of University Museums, it has involved actively locating misplaced artworks, recovering overlooked treasures, and conserving art that is iconic to the campus and state of Iowa. With the founding of University Museums came a responsibility to the continued safeguarding of the art generously donated to form the institution’s permanent collections. This also led to the creation of a home for the art that had come into Iowa State over its history, where the collections can be shared with the Iowa State students, faculty, and all visitors.
Presented in the exhibition Preserving the Past is a selection of these treasures, works of art left to the past that have been sought out, acquired, and cared for by University Museums. Included in this collection are the remarkable paintings from the America in the Making series by N.C. Wyeth to the 18th and 19th century Japanese woodblock prints collected by ISU Applied Arts professors for instructional purposes. It is telling that so much art existed at Iowa State, long before the University Museums were in existence, proving that a visual arts legacy has always had a place on campus. Today, University Museums continue as the guardian of these and many other amazing works of art.
In 1975, the opening of the Brunnier Art Museum within the newly constructed Iowa State Center heralded a new focus and dedicated space for fine and decorative arts at Iowa State. The Brunnier Art Museum is home to the collections of Ann and Henry Brunnier, along with many of those works of art brought to campus prior to the establishment of University Museums. Those early collections, combined with the generous gift and vision of the Brunnier’s, paved the road for the expansion of University Museums across the Iowa State University campus over the next 50 years. Today more than 1050 donors have added to the permanent collection through their gifts of art and funds. It is those donors, and the bequest of Ann and Henry Brunnier, that are celebrated in the exhibition Fifty Years of Collecting.
The initial gift of Ann and Henry Brunnier was massive, with a significant focus on the decorative arts, a focus that remains unique to any museum in the state of Iowa. Ann passionately gathered objects from around the world, spanning various time periods—building an expansive collection that remains the core of University Museums' permanent collection today.
Since the first exhibition of the Brunnier’s collections opened on September 19, 1975, University Museums has continued to build upon that gift to connect more deeply with the Brunnier objects and expand areas of representation. The focus of the permanent collection remains on the decorative arts but has grown to include works of art by Iowa artists, printmaking, and more. The constant is always the emphasis on the collection being a core resource for all curricula on campus, and to enhance Iowa State students’ educational and aesthetic experiences. With continued support from exceptionally generous donors, University Museums continues to acquire works of art that connect deeply to the core collection of Ann and Henry Brunnier. While this exhibition focuses on the decorative arts and permanent collection at the Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums expanded over the 50 years to encompass the Farm House Museum, the Art on Campus Collection, the Christian Petersen Art Museum, and the Anderson Sculpture Garden where exhibitions present the wide range of art and objects University Museums cares for.
Preserving the Past and Fifty Years of Collecting are exhibited together as a celebration of the origins of University Museums, the 50 years of expansion within the permanent collection, and the development of University Museums across the Iowa State campus fulfilling the mission of a dynamic arts institution.
Exhibition Programs
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 for more information and/or to register. Events listed below will be at the Brunnier Art Museum (1805 Center Dr., 295 Scheman Building, Ames, Iowa) unless otherwise noted. Times are in Central Standard Time (CST). Programs are subject to change. Check the University Museums Calendar and Facebook page for the latest events information.
50th Anniversary Celebration
September 19, 2025, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (US Central)
Location: Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman Building
Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen and Lynette Pohlman, the Warren & Beverly Madden Endowed Directory and Chief Curator, invite you to University Museums' 50th Anniversary Celebration!
Additional details to be release in August.
Business casual or dress in your 1975 threads - inspired by the Brunnier Art Museum's opening day - and enjoy and evening of fab celebrations with friends.
Free and open to the public. RSVP not required.
Explore! Be a Collector
October 18, 2025, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (US Central)
Location: Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman Building
Explore how to build a collection! Whether it is art or rocks, everyone is a collector. Activities and crafts for children and families will focus on how and why to start your own collections.
Activities geared towards K-5 ages; all are welcome!
Museum Meetup: 50 Years of Collecting and Preserving the Past
November 13, 2025, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (US Central)
Location: Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman Building
Collections are housed everywhere, whether in museum display cases, ornate keepsake and jewelry boxes, and more. In honor of University Museums celebrating 50 years, join us at the Brunnier Art Museum with friends old and new to explore 50 Years of Collecting and Preserving the Past. Decorate your own take-home trinket box, supplies provided and enjoy free snacks.
Explore! 50 Years of Art
November 15, 2025, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (US Central)
Location: Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman Building
Explore the history of art! Humans love to create, learn more about the long history of art made around the world. Activities and crafts for children and families will focus on the history of art and creativity.
Activities geared towards K-5 ages; all are welcome!
Visit the Brunnier Art Museum
Hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Closed to the public Mondays. ISU curriculum tours may be scheduled on these days with a 2-week notice.
Closed University Holidays
Click here to see when the museums are closed.
Address: Scheman Building (2nd Floor), 1805 Center Drive, Ames, Iowa
Admission: The cost is free; however, there is a suggested donation of $8.
This exhibition is curated and organized by University Museums. Generous support for the exhibition 50 Years of Collecting Art was given by Phyllis and Larry Lepke.