Night Garden, computer print, edition 1/175, by Karen Strohbeen. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
The year was 1975. Mood rings and pet rocks were all the rage. Saturday Night Live debuted on television. Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft. And Iowa State established University Museums.
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, University Museums is hosting "40/40," an exhibition showcasing works of art by Iowa artists, through Dec. 19 at the Brunnier Art Museum. The show includes 80 pieces -- 40 by Iowa artists new to the museums' permanent collection, and 40 new pieces from Iowa artists already featured in the permanent collection.
Begun in the 1920s and 1930s with works from Zenobia Ness, Raymond M. Hughes, Grant Wood and Christian Petersen, the Iowa Artist Collection is one of University Museums' signature collections. Today, it comprises over 2,000 works of art created by more than 150 Iowa artists.
A time to celebrate
University Museums is holding a fundraising reception on Sept. 19 (7-9 p.m., a brief program begins at 8:30 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum) to celebrate the anniversary. Cost is $50 per person at the door. The evening will feature designer desserts, floral creations, a cash bar and live music. Cocktail attire is requested.
The new book, Campus Beautiful: Shaping the Aesthetic Identity of Iowa State University, will be available for purchase. The book is $100 ($75 for University Museums members). Commemorative bookplates also will be available at no cost.
The Brunnier Art Museum is located on the second floor of the Scheman Building. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. There is no cost to attend the "40/40" exhibition, though a $3 donation per visitor is suggested.
