At the Christian Petersen Art Museum
Campbell Gallery, 1017 Morrill Hall
Monday, August 21 - Friday, December 15, 2023
Drift examines how the materiality of sculpture and its form function in conveying the perception of memories and the artist’s experience of the world. The concept of displacement is prominent in Stancliffe’s work and the exhibition. Societal order is disrupted as climate changes, politics shift, and even the act of altering the Iowa landscape to produce crops displaces the understood order within our landscape and society. Through these sculptural works of art, Drift conveys the acknowledgement of change as a constant in the world as we see it.
Learn More
Click a button below to learn more.
Read more about Drift on the University Museums PubPub
Read exhibition essay by guest essayist, David Schmitz
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 Christian Petersen Art Museum (Morrill Hall, 603 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa) unless otherwise noted. Programs are subject to change. Check the University Museums Calendar and Facebook page for the latest events information.
Art Walk: Installation and Environment
led by docent Steve Petska
Wednesday, August 30, noon - 1:00 PM
Begins outside Student Services Building, 2505 Union Dr.
Join University Museums for an Art Walk centering around large-scale public art and environmental installation. In partnership with the exhibition Tom Stancliffe: Drift, visit outdoor installations that meaningfully interact with the environment.
Artist Talk and Opening Reception | Tom Stancliffe
Thursday, September 14, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Campbell Gallery, Morrill Hall first floor
Join University Museums and Tom Stancliffe for an artist-led gallery walk at 5:30 of the exhibition Tom Stancliffe: Drift. Stancliffe will discuss his studio practice, and the themes found within the works of art. Stay for refreshments and an opening reception of the exhibition at 6:30.
Date Night at the Christian Petersen Art Museum
Friday, September 22, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Campbell & Reiman Galleries, Morrill Hall first floor & lower level
Tired of the same old date nights? University Museums has you covered with free food, crafts, and art for a fun unique night. In partnership with the ISU Bookstore, all visitors will get a coupon for the ISU Bookstore and can enter for a chance to win some ISU art!
Saturday & Sunday, October 14 & 15, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM each day
Campbell & Reiman Galleries, Morrill Hall first floor & lower level
The Christian Petersen Art Museum and the Farm House Museum will be open for Cyclone Family Weekend!
Shifting Bodies, Displacement in Nature | Drift Through Dance
Thursday, October 19, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Campbell Gallery, Morrill Hall first floor
Experience a different kind of museum visit as you are introduced to works of art through the lens of dancers. This evening will feature performances of original dance compositions under the direction of Kinesiology faculty member Cynthia Adams. Dance 220 Choreography students and Orchesis I dancers will present choreography inspired by their semester of close investigation and interpretation of the themes and works of art from the exhibition Tom Stancliffe: Drift.
Curator's Tour of Tom Stancliffe: Drift
with Sydney Marshall
Thursday, November 9, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Campbell Gallery, Morrill Hall first floor
Learn about Tom Stancliffe's unique method of using patina on metal to create the images on the metal sculptures installed in the exhibition.
Visit the Christian Petersen Art Museum
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed weekends and University Holidays & breaks
Address: 1017 & 0003 Morrill Hall, 603 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa
Admission: The cost is free, however there is a suggested donation of $8.
This exhibition is curated by University Museums with support from Rachel Flint and University Museums membership.
Images courtesy of the artist, from top:
Westward, 2022
Tom Stancliffe
Welded steel, manipulated patina on steel, painted wood
Distant Sky, 2022
Tom Stancliffe
Manipulated patina on steel
Mount, 2022
Tom Stancliffe
Manipulated patina on steel