Posted on December 31, 2020 at 4:00 PM by Allison Sheridan
If ever there was a reason to flip the calendar to a new year – a fresh start – this year would surely provide some of the best motive. The year 2020 was, for lack of a better word, tumultuous. The symbolic turning of the calendar page closing out 2020 to usher in 2021 helps us to recognize the past year while looking forward, setting new resolutions for a better year to come.
We reflect on what 2020 helped us gain, not lose. In the midst of a pandemic, our staff became knowledgeable in new forms of technology like Zoom and navigated working from home (with pets as co-workers vying for our attention). We “dug in” and all developed our amateur videography skills to bring programs, activities and lectures to the comfort of your homes. Each staff shared their knowledge and curatorial expertise though blogs and social media posts. We devoted hours to cleaning, sanitizing and masking up with the utmost care because, after all, Cyclones Care. Lastly, we pivoted, like so many others, extending exhibitions cut short, shuffling schedules and hours, and making sure that our practices kept museum members, students and visitors safe and engaged. We deeply appreciate the many of you who reached out, checked in, and supported the Museums and staff through 2020.
University Museums staff and students would like to thank you for pivoting with us during these unprecedented times and we optimistically light the way forward into 2021. We wish you and yours a very joyful, healthy and artful NEW YEAR!
IMAGES - Calendars in the University Museums' collection.
TOP IMAGE: Calendar Holder. Silver. Gift of the Estyl and Robert Wright Estate. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. UM86.247
INSET IMAGE: Calendar, 1907. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. 76.53.1
BELOW LEFT: Calendar, 1913. Gift of Marian Daniells. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. 74.16.75
BELOW RIGHT: Armour's Art Calendar, 1907. Gift of Joyce Myers Tanney. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. 79.12.1