Calendar

Closed for exhibition installations July 31 - August 22

University Museums staff will have a booth at the Ames Main Street Farmers' Market. Stop by, talk to us, and learn about our Fall 2021 exhibitions and programs! 

Interact with Charles Ginnever’s sculptures from multiple perspectives. Enjoy the start of the Fall semester with refreshments and conversation; experience both exhibitions by the renowned sculptor.

Journey through the exhibition Arte Cubano and learn about the varied artistic expressions found in contemporary Cuban art. Discover the diverse cultural blend of African, European, and Latin/Caribbean influences that make Cuban art unique.

Hosted by the University Museums’ interns! In conjunction with the exhibition Flicker and Flame. In this exciting movie, three brilliant visionaries set off in a charged battle for the future of electrical lighting in the epic story of the cutthroat competition that literally lit up the modern world. Be sure to arrive early to set up your blanket or lawn chair and get some ice cream from the ISU Creamery!

Experience the newly installed public art of award-winning artist Catherine Widgery as the light changes from day to dusk; twilight is a perfect time. Join in activities inspired by the art and enjoy pizza and refreshments. Make a letterpress print & a craft.

Journey through the exhibition Arte Cubano and learn about the varied artistic expressions found in contemporary Cuban art. 

Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Farm House Museum, and University Museums offices will all be closed on Monday, September 6 for Labor Day.

Art influences society by changing opinions, imparting values, and translating many different experiences through space and time. The Art on Campus Collection is over 2,500 works of art. This Art Walk will explore how the fusion of cultures has influenced the Art on Campus Collection.

Dr. Sebastian Braun is Director of American Indian Studies and Associate Professor of Anthropology

Gain a unique perspective from Anne Pagel, the curator of the private lender’s collection, as she discusses the artists included in Arte Cubano. This gallery walk will guide visitors through the museum to explore the diverse art and artists in the exhibition.

Take in the exhibition Ginnever: Folded Forms with Curator Anne Pagel, as she explores the life and work of renowned Modern sculptor Charles Ginnever.

Experience the sounds of Cuba alongside the art of Cuba with an evening screening of the acclaimed documentary Buena Vista Social Club (1999) at the Brunnier Art Museum, in conjunction with the exhibition Arte Cubano.

From vibrant colors to striking forms, the assemblage of studio glass in the permanent collection examines the use of glass in contemporary art in the United States. It defies expectations for what glass can be. Enjoy a walking tour of the new exhibition Studio Glass from the Permanent Collection with Curator Adrienne Gennett.

Fusco will discuss the recent efforts of "artivists" in Cuba to advocate for expanded expressive freedoms and civil rights. She will focus primarily on the activities of 27N and the San Isidro Movement. 

Join us on Sundays at 2:00 pm for a series of thirty-minute tours to get a closer look at signature objects in the University Museums’ permanent collection. This tour will spotlight the diverse forms of Native American and Inuit art, from basketry to glassmaking.

Get a first look at the exhibition Color Matters, the newest reACT exhibition, guest curated by Dr. Jonathan Strum, Professor of Music. Color Matters explores the complex relationship humans have with color and how color shapes how we see and understand the world. Remarks at 5:00 pm by Dr. Sturm. Light refreshments.

Enjoy a virtual exploration of the newest reACT exhibition Color Matters with guest curator Dr. Jonathan Sturm as he shares his thoughts on the concept, discusses highlights of the exhibition, and invites you to visit in person and reACT.

Throw on your floral prints and head to the Anderson Sculpture Garden for an evening outdoors to celebrate the installation of a new garden-inspired mural by nationally acclaimed artist Louise Jones aka Ouizi.

Stroll the garden, talk to the artist and enjoy delightful bites, inspired by the mural, from ISU Dining Services.

Enjoy three fall exhibitions during the fall open house weekend.

Christian Petersen Art Museum see Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms and reACT exhibition Color Matters, guest curated by Dr. Jonathan Sturm, Professor of Music. Farm House Museum, the exhibition Flicker and Flame: Whale Oil and Kerosene Lamps, will be open.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 2 & 3, 1:00-4:00pm each day.

From complex geometry to striking forms, Charles Ginnever explored the intricacy of origami throughout his career. Enjoy a tour of the new exhibition Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms with University Museums’ curator, Sydney Marshall.

With the synesthetic experience in mind (one sense in conjunction with another, such as music being heard as well as seen), we have asked professional musicians to create improvisations based on the works of art in the reACT exhibition Color Matters, translating color into sound. Join us and experience the sound of color at this unique event.

Journey through the exhibition Arte Cubano and learn about the diverse artistic expressions of Cuba in a bilingual tour led by trained staff and docents with Spanish translation by the students of the course Culture and Community: Iowa and Midwest Latino/as. Discover the diverse cultural blend of African, European and Latin/Caribbean influences that make Cuban art unique. Join on Sundays at 2:00 pm. for a series of thirty-minute highlights tours of the University Museums collection.

Save the date! Details coming soon.

The concept of Abstraction in art has always been divisive. Join University Museums to explore how abstraction is a continuum expressed throughout the Art on Campus Collection. This tour will begin at the Carom sculpture outside of the Black Engineering Building. 

Life requires light, and people throughout history invented many ways to illuminate their environments. About 150 years ago, they began using electricity to generate light, fundamentally changing our long relationship with artificial lighting. People chose to adopt electric lighting because of its convenience. That choice, reinforced by choices made since, created a society dependent on electricity. Cheap and plentiful artificial lighting is now in a real sense invisible, typically noticed only when it fails. Using materials from the Smithsonian collections, this presentation takes a walk through history, discussing cultural, economic, and social consequences of electric lighting and electrification.

Dr. Hall Wallace is Curator of Electricity Collections at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Journey through the exhibition Arte Cubano and learn about the diverse artistic expressions of Cuba in a bilingual tour led by trained staff and docents with Spanish translation by the students of the course Culture and Community: Iowa and Midwest Latino/as. Discover the diverse cultural blend of African, European and Latin/Caribbean influences that make Cuban art unique. Join on Sundays at 2:00 pm. for a series of thirty-minute highlights tours of the University Museums collection.

Join in a facilitated discussion of the reACT exhibition Color Matters guest curated by Dr. Jonathan Sturm, Professor of Music. Hear different perspectives from Dr. Monic Behnken as well as have the opportunity to ask questions and reACT to the exhibition.

Dr. Monic Behnken is Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

A celebration of movement in dance and art, this evening will feature performances of original compositions under the direction of Kinesiology faculty member Cynthia Adams. Dance students and Orchesis I dancers will present choreography inspired by their close investigations at the sculptures and drawings from the exhibition Charles Ginnever: Folded Forms. Experience a different kind of museum visit as you are introduced to works of art through the lens of dancers.

Iowa State Center, specifically the Scheman building, has been a hub of events and entertainment for over 50 years. This tour highlights the history of the Scheman building and the art within. Join us on Sundays at 2:00 pm for a series of thirty-minute tours.

The Victorian lady was the original craft queen and DIY-er. Her capable hands decorated her home; her clothing, if not hand-sewn, was often embellished by her skillful embroidery. While many imagine the Victorian lady as sitting decorously in her parlor with a basket of needlework, Victorian women were capable of much more than that. Join University Museums to uncover the stories of women crafters at the Farm House Museum.

Journey through the exhibition Studio to Contemporary Glass: 1960s to Today and learn about the diverse artistic expressions of the University Museums’ permanent collection. This tour will be given by University Museums Docent Roberta Vann and will spotlight the art of Dale Chihuly and his fanciful creations.

Hosted by the University Museums’ interns, in conjunction with Winterfest, celebrate the holiday season at the Farm House Museum. Take part in Victorian yuletide-themed activities and crafts while you enjoy holiday treats. The carriage from the Memorial Union will stop at the Farm House Museum.

Enjoy festive family fun at the Farm House Museum. Victorian yuletide-themed crafts and holiday treats will be provided. Tours of the historic home in full period decoration will also be offered throughout the afternoon as well as the chance to meet and take a picture with Santa. It’s the perfect start to the holiday season for families and friends.

With over 30,000 objects in the permanent collection, it is easy to overlook the many treasures in the museums holding. This tour will spotlight different methods of printmaking. Join for the final Sunday Tour of 2021 to get a closer look at signature objects in the University Museums’ permanent collection in a thirty-minute timeframe.