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
Nearly 75 years ago in 1949, then Iowa State artist-in-residence Christian Petersen carved a plaster sculpture of notable graduate George Washington Carver. Fifty years later, the sculpture was cast in bronze and placed in the courtyard of Carver Hall, creating a commemoration in public art to Carver and his achievements. 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.
George Washington Carver,
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George Washington Carver,
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George Washington Carver,
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Exhibition Programs
Find full descriptions of programs on the University Museums Calendar. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless noted. Click the event title for more information and/or to register. Programs are subject to change. Check the University Museums Calendar and Facebook page for the latest events information.
Art Walk | Celebrating George Washington Carver
Wednesday, February 28, noon–1:00 p.m.
Begins at Curtiss Hall, 2nd floor rotunda
In honor of Iowa’s George Washington Carver Day, walk through the works of art honoring George Washington Carver found throughout the Art on Campus Collection. Meet at Curtiss Hall 2nd floor rotunda. Led by docent Steve Petska.
Through the Eyes of George Washington Carver – The Student & Artist
Thursday, April 18, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Carver, the student, came to Iowa State at the suggestion of Etta Budd, former Farm House resident, and was clearly impacted by the professors and leaders he met as catalogued in a six-page letter written by Carver to Louis Pammel in May 1921. Tour the Farm House Museum with curator Allison Sheridan highlighting the objects on exhibition in George Washington Carver, The Student & the Artist.
Support for this program provided by Carol Pletcher.
Through the Eyes of George Washington Carver – The Student & Visionary
Thursday, May 16, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Food Sciences Building, south entrance near circular drive
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. Tour sites across central campus with educator Nicholas Scott highlighting the exhibition George Washington Carver, The Student & Visionary.
Through the Eyes of George Washington Carver – The Student & Innovator
Thursday, June 6, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Curtiss Hall, 2nd floor rotunda
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 1921. Tour with Curator Allison Sheridan the exhibition George Washington Carver, The Student & Innovator in the Dean’s Art Gallery, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
These exhibitions are curated and organized by University Museums with support from Jim and Marcia Henderson Borel (ISU ’79) and University Museums Membership.
Images from top:
George Washington Carver's graduation photo, 1893
Iowa State University. Special Collections and University Archives
Vase, 1890-1893
Attributed to George Washington Carver (American, c. 1861-1943)
Painted ceramic/clay
Gift of the grandchildren of O.S. and Lurana Jane Carpenter: Martha Lou Malmanger Hutton, Bernice Malmanger, Mary B. Berry Wassom, Lloyd Berry, Ray O. Berry, Marvin W. Carpenter, Marilyn K. Carpenter Lee, and Linda M. Carpenter Peterson. In memory of LaVern B. Carpenter. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
UM2011.181
George Washington Carver, 1999
Youssef Asar (Egyptian, 1935-2012)
Oil on linen
Funded by the George Washington Carver Artist in Residence Program. In the Art on Campus Collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
U2000.62
George Washington Carver Vessel, 2020
Roberto Lugo (American, b. 1981)
Porcelain, china paint, and luster
Commissioned by University Museums with funds from the Joyce Tomlinson Brewer Fund for Art Acquisition. In the permanent collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
UM2020.19ab