After 46 years of service, Lynette Pohlman is retiring from her role as Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed Director and Chief Curator of University Museums at Iowa State University.

Throughout her career, she led the establishment of five museums — the Anderson Sculpture Garden, Art on Campus Collection and Program, Brunnier Art Museum, Christian Petersen Art Museum and the Farm House Museum — playing a crucial role in their success. As a student employee in 1971, Pohlman contributed to the opening of the Henry J. Brunnier Galleries in 1975 and created a strong foundation for art in the Ames community.

In 1980, Pohlman officially became director of University Museums, and now, 55 years later, she leaves the University Museums to the next generation of museum professionals.

Heather Johnson, executive director of the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames, first met Pohlman when she was a first-year student at Iowa State University in 1997. Johnson applied for a work-study position at University Museums, earned the job and worked alongside Pohlman.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I had with my work study program at University Museums with Lynette,” she said. “She helped to reshape my career path and my appreciation for how I interact with artists as well as works of art in a variety of settings.”

Pohlman curated more than 30,000 art pieces in the University Museums collection over her career. She also contributed to events and open conversations within the community, creating a space for people to experience the arts in a small setting.

“Engaging with the arts broadens understanding of different cultures, histories and perspectives,” Johnson said. “Art is empathy. It provides a window to human experiences, allowing an artist to share complex emotions and inviting the audience to step into someone else’s inner landscape.”

The Lynette L. Pohlman Museum Fellowship

Each year, a student is chosen to be a Lynette L. Pohlman Museum Fellow. The chosen student is mentored by Pohlman and earns experience in the museum field as well as artistry.

This year’s Pohlman Fellow was Johnathan Calsbeek.

“The fellowship focuses not only on caring for art in its various forms but also on how museum professionals can present it in ways that can foster connection with the piece for the general public,” Calsbeek said.

As an employee, Calsbeek worked at the Christian Peterson Art Museum, and Pohlman helped shape his understanding of the career path he wanted to pursue.

“She worked constantly to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy public art by driving funding to secure commissions for new works of art beloved by a new cycle of students,” he said.