Iowa State University Museum Exhibitions

Don’t miss these Iowa State University Museums exhibitions happening right now! All exhibitions are free, but donations are appreciated. Hours may differ by each museum.

Jack Trice 100-Year anniversary

In remembrance of the 100-year anniversary of Jack Trice’s death, the sculpture “Breaking Barriers” was installed outside the Jack Trice stadium. To hear about the process and intricacies of making these public works of art, attend the Artist Talk by sculpture Ivan Depeña on Breaking Barriers at Morrill Hall.

An exhibition called “Through the Photographic Lens of King Au: Honoring Jack Trice” is available for viewing until October 6, 2023, in the Neva M. Peterson Gallery. The Peterson Museum will be open Oct. 8 for the Trice anniversary. Explore the artistic process by attending  “Through the Photographic Lens: Interpreting Art on Campus and Jack Trice’s Legacy” with the artist and ISU alumnus King Au.

These memorials will continue into the spring of 2024. To get a full list of events honoring Jack Trice visit here.

Brunnier Art Museum

The Brunnier Art Museum is located in the Scheman Building on the second floor. Starting this month and through December 17, 2023, Brunnier has some amazing exhibitions.

• Get inspired at the “Future Unfolding” exhibition, a display of cameo engraved glass pieces depicting our environment and confronting the impact climate change has on our world. For more ways to get involved with this exhibition, attend any of the surrounding events. These events include the “Curator’s Tour of Future Unfolding,” the “Artist Lecture with April Surgent: Exploring Climate Change in Glass”, and a lecture titled “Glaciers in a Warming World: Examples from today and Iowa’s Glacial Past.”
• “Pulped Under Pressure” is a beautiful exhibition that underscores important contemporary issues using traditional hand papermaking. Surrounding events include the “Pulped Under Pressure Artist Conversation,” “Papermaking: Studying the Depth of Nature,” and the “Curator’s Tour of Pulped Under Pressure.”
• “Extravagant Dining: Glass Epergnes from the Collection of Dorothy Todd Kent” offers an experience to view the luxurious glass epergnes throughout the 18th and 20th centuries. Some of the specific events for this exhibit include the “Reception for the Extravagant Dining: Glass Epergnes from the Collection of Dorothy Todd Kent,”the “Epergnes and Other Things: Elements of the Victorian dinner Tale with Etiquetteer Robert B. Dimmick,” and a “Curator’s Tour of Extravagant Dining and Industrial Design.”
• Visit “Industrial Design” to see how design has radically changed over time. Check out the “Curator’s Tour of Extravagant Dining and Industrial Design”for a closing tour of the exhibits.  

Christian Peterson Art Museum

The Christian Peterson Art Museum is located in Morrill Hall. It is named after Christian Peterson who sculpted and taught at Iowa State University and is considered the founder of the Art on Campus Collection. 

• View the amazing art from “Tom Stancliffe: Drift” in the Campbell Gallery. This exhibit examines how sculptures can convey memories and experiences.  Surrounding events include the “Artist Talk and Opening Reception,” a “Shifting Bodies, Displacement in Nature,” and the “Curator’s Tour of Tom Stancliffe: Drift.”

• Continue with “Tom Stancliffe: Art of Fabrication” in the Reiman Gallery in the Art on Campus Collection.  Some of the specific events for this are the “Curator’s Tour of Art of Fabrication” and the “Public Art as a Process: Virtual Panel Discussion.”

Farm House Museum 

Visit the Farm House Museum on Farm House Lane for “Growing Up Victorian” through Oct. 31. Within this exhibit you can find an aspect of the American Frontier that is often overlooked: the lives of the children. Events include “Which Fork Do I Use? The Emily Post Institute on Children’s Etiquette” and “Why Do Manners matter? The Emily Post Institute on Business Etiquette.”

Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden

You can find the Sculpture Garden on Morrill Road, where it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• For more of Tom Stancliffe visit the “Ghost Trees”exhibition, available starting this month until June 2025. Check out “A Bug’s Eye View of Tom Stancliffe’s Ghost Trees” to view this new installation from a different perspective.
• While you are there, check out the permanent collection sculptures. You won’t be disappointed!

Other museum events 

For the Iowa State University Museums’ other upcoming events, including art walks, tours, conventions, artist talks, receptions, and more visit here.

By Rachel Gantt, Marketing and Communications Intern