Fifty years ago, a San Francisco family’s donation of money, dolls and decorative art started what would become Iowa State’s University Museums.
In the fall of 1975, University Museums opened its first exhibit at the new Brunnier Art Museum featuring pieces from Ann Brunnier’s 50-year collection of dolls and decorative arts. The Iowa State Center, home of University Museums in the Scheman Building, also received a large money donation from Henry Brunnier.
“Since the first exhibition of the Brunnier’s collections opened on Sept. 19, 1975, University Museums has continued to build upon that gift to connect more deeply with the Brunnier objects and expand areas of representation,” according to a news release from University Museums..
The Brunnier Art Museum led the way for other campus efforts to collect, preserve and exhibit pieces of art, including the Christian Petersen Art Museum, located in Morrill Hall; the Anderson Sculpture Garden, located outside of the building; the Farmhouse Museum; and pieces on display around the Iowa State campus.
Two new exhibits at the Brunnier Art Museum, 1805 Center Dr., 295 Scheman Building, Preserving the Past and 50 Years of Collecting” will open Aug. 26. They’ll feature artwork that celebrates the act of preservation and honors the donors who have contributed artwork to the program over the years.
“Both exhibitions … offer unique reflections on the origins of University Museums, the 50 years of expansion within the permanent collection to over 30,000 objects, and the development of University Museums across the Iowa State campus fulfilling the mission of a dynamic arts institution,” the release says.
The exhibits are free to the public and will run through Dec. 19.
“The exhibitions highlight the continued care for the collection, in conserving and maintaining the safety of the art, but also the thoughtful process of building upon the original collections of Ann and Henry Brunnier and Iowa State to develop a collection to inspire and educate ISU students today and into the future,” Adrienne Gennett, the exhibition curator, said in the release.
Programs and events to celebrate 50 years of University Museums
A series of events will be available free to the public throughout this fall to celebrate art, reminisce on history, and learn about University Museums, its collections, and even how to start your own collections.
50 Years of Art and Education with Lynette Pohlman
September 7, 2 to 3 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum
Lynette Pohlman, the Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed Director and Chief Curator of University Museums, will speak about the last 50 years of University Museums and how she has paved the way “to make art a place of importance and education on the Iowa State University campus.”
50th Anniversary Celebration
September 19, 7 to 9 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum
President Wendy Wintersteen and Pohlman celebrate University Museum’s 50th anniversary. Dress in business casual or wear your 1975 threads.
Explore! Be a Collector
October 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum
Here’s one for the kids: whether it be art or rocks, learn how to start a collection.
Museum Meetup: 50 Years of Collecting and Preserving the Past
November 13, 6 to 8 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum
Ever wanted to create a trinket box to house one of your own collections? Here’s your chance to decorate your own take-home box with supplies and snacks provided by University Museums.
Explore! 50 Years of Art
November 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum
Are you a fan of art history? Do you want your children to be, too? Learn more about how art has been around the world with crafts and activities geared toward children.
