Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection

University Museums presents “Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection,” an intimate exhibition in the Christian Petersen Art Museum showcasing the innovative technology and conservation science used to preserve Danish-American artist Christian Petersen’s iconic terra cotta sculptures across Iowa State University’s campus.

The exhibition, which opens one week prior to classes beginning for the semester, features materials samples, 3D scanning documentation, and behind-the-scenes insights from the ongoing conservation of the “History of Dairying” fountain—a National Register of Historic Places landmark created in 1934 as one of the nation’s earliest Public Works of Art Project (PWAP) installations.

Democratic Material Meets Iowa Weather
Working within Depression-era constraints, Iowa State College President Raymond M. Hughes directed Petersen to work in terra cotta—”perhaps in tile or pottery”— because ISU’s Ceramic Engineering Department could produce it on campus within the tight PWAP budget and timeline. The material was affordable and expressive—Petersen could create detailed public art for Iowa State’s students at a fraction of the cost of bronze or marble, perfectly aligned with the land-grant mission of serving everyone, not elite institutions. The hand-modeling technique allowed him to capture intricate details in works like the “Fountain of the Four Seasons,” 1941 and “Three Athletes,” 1936.

ISU Innovation in Action
The exhibition highlights the partnership between University Museums and ISU’s Manufacturing & Teaching Labs, where Sawyer Krotz conducted comprehensive 3D scans of the “History of Dairying” fountain to create precise digital models for replication. The same technology was used to replicate the terra cotta for the “Fountain of the Four Seasons,” recently re-dedicated after multi-year conservation. Iowa State’s terra cotta sculptures face challenges from freeze-thaw cycles. The same material that once drained Iowa’s agricultural fields (as drain tiles) graces campus buildings and public spaces, requiring specialized preservation approaches developed through ISU’s materials science and engineering expertise.

“Prior to 3D scanning, successive replications of sculptures would be smaller than their originals due to approximately 5% shrinkage when terra cotta is fired,” said Sydney Marshall, Curator at University Museums. “A direct mold of the original would ultimately produce a smaller result because of that shrinkage. With 3D scanning, we can digitally scale up the models by 5% before creating the molds, ensuring the final fired terra cotta matches Petersen’s original dimensions exactly.”

After 3D scanning, the digital models are scaled up and used to create forms that terra cotta specialists use for traditional slip-casting methods. The active “History of Dairying” conservation project—which includes foundation repairs, mural preservation, and tier replication—is currently underway, with fundraising still in progress to complete this (National Register) landmark preservation effort.

Exhibition Details
“Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection ” offers visitors an insider’s look at how Iowa State preserves and conserves historic objects—from the actual 3D scan data that captured Christian Petersen’s 1934 fountain details to materials samples showing 90 years of Iowa freeze-thaw damage .

This exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering.

The exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18, 2026
Weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Christian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery
Morrill Hall, Ground Floor Hallway
Free admission

Special Event
March 10, 5:30–6:30 PM
Tech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering
Christian Petersen Art Museum, 003 Morrill Hall

In conjunction with the exhibition Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection, materials engineer Sawyer Krotz will join curator Sydney Marshall for a dynamic exploration of how technology is shaping the future of the conservation of sculpture. Following a guided tour of the exhibition, watch a live demonstration of object scanning and learn how these tools can support the preservation and restoration of public art. Especially great for anyone interested in materials engineering, museum conservation, or historic preservation—no technical background required.
Free and open to the public.