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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ames Community Arts Council
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T023043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T023043Z
UID:10003273-1779822000-1779827400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Conversation Circles: Spanish - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Spanish. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language. Dale H. Ross Board Room \nTo join via Zoom\, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706386269?pwd=h7HfoFApVWwea7yboGPUGsxXgRhD9w.1 \n 
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/conversation-circles-spanish-ames-public-library-2/2026-05-26/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ConversationCircles-2022-01-INSTAGRAM-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260526T203000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T050703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T050703Z
UID:10003458-1779822000-1779827400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Deep Roots Book Group - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Join gardeners and nature enthusiasts for deep discussion of books in connection with the Ames Seed Library. \nTopics will touch on seeds and plants\, gardening\, community-building\, and the relationship between humans\, animals\, and plants. \nBook selections include both fiction and non-fiction intended for general audience. \n2026 \n\nJanuary 27: Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton\nFebruary 24: A Botanist’s Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari\nMarch 24: When Trees Testify: Science\, Wisdom\, History\, and America’s Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda Montgomery\nApril 28: Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly\nMay 26: Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian\n\nSupported by the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/deep-roots-book-group-ames-public-library-2/2026-05-26/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DeepRoots-2025-FB-INSTAGRAM-02.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T110000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260124T184831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260124T184831Z
UID:10003681-1779876000-1779879600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Creative Explorations May\, Ages 3 - 5 - Octagon Center for the Arts
DESCRIPTION:Creative Explorations\, 3 – 5 years with an adult partner*\nWednesdays\, 10 – 11 a.m.\n$65 for each 4 week session\nMay 6 – 27 \nEnjoy creative learning through the art making process using a variety of sensory materials\, traditional and nontraditional supplies. New skills will be practiced\, while the “process of making” will be the fundamental goal for the child. Materials like paint\, charcoal\, fabric\, plastic\, sculpture media\, glue\, cardboard\, paper\, etc. will be used. The use of scissors and proper handling of materials and color mixing will also be explored. Guardians are encouraged to participate in class activities. \n*Children who are 5 years old may be more developmentally willing/able to work alone on their projects. If so\, guardians are encouraged to stay on site either in the studio or in the adjacent lounge area during class.\nClass limit: 6 children/adult pairs\nInstructor: Beth Weninger\nHunziker Studio
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/creative-explorations-may-ages-3-5-octagon-center-for-the-arts/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Octagon Center for the Arts\, 427 Douglas Avenue\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/creative-kids-art.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Octagon Center for the Arts":MAILTO:info@octagonarts.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251229T172121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T172121Z
UID:10002365-1779876000-1779897600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDemocratic Material Meets Iowa Weather\nWorking 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. \nISU Innovation in Action\nThe 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. \n“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.” \nAfter 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. \nExhibition Details\n“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 . \nThis exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering. \nThe exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18\, 2026\nWeekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nChristian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery\nMorrill Hall\, Ground Floor Hallway\nFree admission \nSpecial Event\nMarch 10\, 5:30–6:30 PM\nTech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering\nChristian Petersen Art Museum\, 003 Morrill Hall \nIn 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.\nFree and open to the public.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/terra-cotta-conservation-in-the-art-on-campus-collection/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Christian Peterson Art Museum\, 1017 Morrill Hall\, 603 Morrill Rd\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Exhibition_Terra_Cotta_Email_Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260202T195117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T223918Z
UID:10004289-1779883200-1779897600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People's College - University Museums
DESCRIPTION:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College\nFebruary – October 2026 \nAmerica 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College honors key people\, moments\, objects\, and experiences centered within Farm House through more than 250 primary source objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm\, Early Iowa\, Immigration\, National Imagery\, Native Stories\, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts\, textiles\, furniture\, agricultural implements\, and documents that trace the land-grant university’s heritage and the nation’s evolution. \nVisitors will see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook as the first Black man to enroll\, graduate\, and teach at Iowa State; a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852 personalized with the name “Anna”; Mary Beaumont Welch’s 1884 cookbook from the first Department of Domestic Economy in the nation; the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s; and early student yearbooks revealing timeless aspects of college life. \nReflective questions appear throughout the exhibition\, inviting visitors to consider how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary society. Topics range from the Morrill Act of 1862 and land-grant universities to immigration patterns in Iowa\, Indigenous history\, and Victorian-era technological innovation. \nOn July 4\, 2026\, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Farm House Museum\, built in 1860 as Iowa State’s first building\, has been central to the development of campus\, Iowa State heritage\, education\, innovation\, and national policy.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/america-250-prairie-plows-and-the-peoples-college-2/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Farm House Museum\, 601 Farm House Lane\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/unnamed-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260418T193819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T193821Z
UID:10005339-1779886800-1779897600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds - Gallery in the Round
DESCRIPTION:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds \nThe Gallery in the Round at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames will present Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds We Inhabit\, a solo exhibition by visual artist and physicist Sebastián Sánchez-Falero\, on view from April 4 through June 30. A public reception will be held on Sat.\, May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.\, featuring an artist talk and discussion open to the public. \nBringing together two complementary bodies of work\, Landscapes & Mindscapes reflects on the natural and technological environments that shape contemporary life. One series\, Endless Horizons: Colors of the Iowa Plains\, contemplates the quiet beauty of Iowa’s land\, sky\, and seasons through photography showcasing light\, atmosphere\, and human presence. The other\, Minds on a Digital Mirror: Exploring the Human Tapestry\, uses AI-assisted visual art to explore what it means to be human in an age increasingly shaped by intelligent machines. \nTogether\, the exhibition places Iowa’s physical landscape in dialogue with the conceptual and technological worlds we now inhabit. It draws attention to the quiet beauty of the land while opening space to reflect on the less visible terrains of contemporary existence: memory\, imagination\, data\, simulation\, and the digital systems that increasingly surround us and accelerate human experience. As Sánchez-Falero puts it\, the exhibition grows from the question\, “What does it mean to be human here and now?” Holding these realities in the same room\, Landscapes & Mindscapes invites viewers to consider both the outer landscapes we dwell in and the inner or constructed mindscapes through which we make meaning. \nAt the same time\, the exhibition engages the question of art in the age of AI. With these technologies now firmly part of contemporary life\, and the genie already out of the bottle\, Sánchez-Falero approaches artificial intelligence not simply as a tool\, but as a new mimetic medium: one that emerges from human design and human data\, and that can therefore function as a technological mirror of contemporary culture and consciousness and biases. \nThrough the exhibition and artist talk\, he offers an accessible introduction to AI and large language models while reflecting on mimesis across painting\, photography\, and AI-generated imagery\, helping audiences place these new tools in a broader historical and artistic perspective. Sánchez-Falero is a visual artist and physicist based in Ames\, Iowa. Across his practice\, he explores identity through portraiture of life\, spaces\, and moments\, often working at the intersection of photography\, language and technology. His work moves between natural and conceptual space\, asking how human beings dwell in the world\, how they represent it\, and how they continually reshape both their environments and themselves. \nThe exhibition is on view at Gallery in the Round\, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames\,\n1015 Hyland Ave.\, Ames\, IA. \nViewing hours are Monday and Tues.\, 9 a.m. to noon\, and Wed. and Thurs.\, 1 to 4 p.m.\, or by appointment by calling 515-292-5960. \nMedia Contact:\nSebastián Sánchez-Falero\n515-372-5661\nsfs@sebastiansanchez.net\nwww.SebastianSanchez.net
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/landscapes-mindscapes-reflections-on-the-worlds-gallery-in-the-round-2-2/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – Gallery in the Round\, 1015 Hyland Ave\, Ames\, IA 50014\, Ames\, IA\, 50014\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sebastian-Sanchez-Falero-IOWA-Plains-High-Treslte-Trail-Bridge-Web-version.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames - Gallery in the Round":MAILTO:gallery@uufames.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251103T043555Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T044403Z
UID:10001383-1779908400-1779912000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Conversation Circles: German - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in German. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language. Dale H. Ross Board Room \nTo join via Zoom\, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706386269?pwd=h7HfoFApVWwea7yboGPUGsxXgRhD9w.1
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/conversation-circles-german-ames-public-library/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ConversationCircles-2022-01-INSTAGRAM-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260527T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251103T064109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T064109Z
UID:10001466-1779908400-1779912000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:View from the Margins Book Group - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Check out this book group for fresh insights and lively discussion about topics relating to society\, identity\, and culture. Book selections include fiction and non-fiction from a wide variety of perspectives and marginalized identities. \nParticipate in person in the Danfoss Room or join the Zoom Meeting\, use the following link:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83974516721?pwd=mKGAzHUYnw7Z5c7XbyONFF3yw55RXH.1 \n2025 \n\nSeptember – What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez? by Claire Jimenez\nOctober – Beautiful Country: A Memoir of an Undocumented Childhood by Qian Julie Wang\nNovember – The Turner House by Angela Flournoy\nDecember – Fire Exit by Morgan Talty\n\n2026 \n\nJanuary – The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates\nFebruary – The Great Divide by Cristina Henríquez\nMarch – See Me Rolling: On Disability\, Equality\, and Ten-Point Turns by Lottie Jackson\nApril – Victim by Andrew Boryga\nMay – Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H\nJune – Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor\nJuly – A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power\nAugust – Cactus Country: A Boyhood Memoir by Zoë Bossiere\n\nSupported by the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation. \n\n515 Douglas Avenue\nAmes\, IA 50010\n(515) 239-5646 \n\nMon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.\nFri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.\nSun: 1 – 5 p.m.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/view-from-the-margins-book-group-ames-public-library/2026-05-27/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ViewFromTheMargins-General-FB-POST-01.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T120000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T032552Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T032552Z
UID:10003310-1779962400-1779969600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Iowa Aging & Disability Resource Center - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Community Support Advocates will be available to help older adults\, people with disabilities\, and their caregivers connect with local services and support. \n\nSecond Thursday of Each Month\, 1-3 p.m. on the second floor\nFourth Thursday of Each Month\, 10 a.m. – noon on the second floor\n\nLisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room – 2nd Floor
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/iowa-aging-disability-resource-center-ames-public-library/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:IA
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251229T172121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T172121Z
UID:10002366-1779962400-1779984000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDemocratic Material Meets Iowa Weather\nWorking 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. \nISU Innovation in Action\nThe 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. \n“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.” \nAfter 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. \nExhibition Details\n“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 . \nThis exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering. \nThe exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18\, 2026\nWeekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nChristian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery\nMorrill Hall\, Ground Floor Hallway\nFree admission \nSpecial Event\nMarch 10\, 5:30–6:30 PM\nTech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering\nChristian Petersen Art Museum\, 003 Morrill Hall \nIn 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.\nFree and open to the public.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/terra-cotta-conservation-in-the-art-on-campus-collection/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:Christian Peterson Art Museum\, 1017 Morrill Hall\, 603 Morrill Rd\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Exhibition_Terra_Cotta_Email_Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260202T195117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T223918Z
UID:10004290-1779969600-1779984000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People's College - University Museums
DESCRIPTION:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College\nFebruary – October 2026 \nAmerica 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College honors key people\, moments\, objects\, and experiences centered within Farm House through more than 250 primary source objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm\, Early Iowa\, Immigration\, National Imagery\, Native Stories\, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts\, textiles\, furniture\, agricultural implements\, and documents that trace the land-grant university’s heritage and the nation’s evolution. \nVisitors will see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook as the first Black man to enroll\, graduate\, and teach at Iowa State; a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852 personalized with the name “Anna”; Mary Beaumont Welch’s 1884 cookbook from the first Department of Domestic Economy in the nation; the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s; and early student yearbooks revealing timeless aspects of college life. \nReflective questions appear throughout the exhibition\, inviting visitors to consider how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary society. Topics range from the Morrill Act of 1862 and land-grant universities to immigration patterns in Iowa\, Indigenous history\, and Victorian-era technological innovation. \nOn July 4\, 2026\, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Farm House Museum\, built in 1860 as Iowa State’s first building\, has been central to the development of campus\, Iowa State heritage\, education\, innovation\, and national policy.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/america-250-prairie-plows-and-the-peoples-college-2/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:Farm House Museum\, 601 Farm House Lane\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/unnamed-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260418T193819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T193821Z
UID:10005340-1779973200-1779984000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds - Gallery in the Round
DESCRIPTION:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds \nThe Gallery in the Round at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames will present Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds We Inhabit\, a solo exhibition by visual artist and physicist Sebastián Sánchez-Falero\, on view from April 4 through June 30. A public reception will be held on Sat.\, May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.\, featuring an artist talk and discussion open to the public. \nBringing together two complementary bodies of work\, Landscapes & Mindscapes reflects on the natural and technological environments that shape contemporary life. One series\, Endless Horizons: Colors of the Iowa Plains\, contemplates the quiet beauty of Iowa’s land\, sky\, and seasons through photography showcasing light\, atmosphere\, and human presence. The other\, Minds on a Digital Mirror: Exploring the Human Tapestry\, uses AI-assisted visual art to explore what it means to be human in an age increasingly shaped by intelligent machines. \nTogether\, the exhibition places Iowa’s physical landscape in dialogue with the conceptual and technological worlds we now inhabit. It draws attention to the quiet beauty of the land while opening space to reflect on the less visible terrains of contemporary existence: memory\, imagination\, data\, simulation\, and the digital systems that increasingly surround us and accelerate human experience. As Sánchez-Falero puts it\, the exhibition grows from the question\, “What does it mean to be human here and now?” Holding these realities in the same room\, Landscapes & Mindscapes invites viewers to consider both the outer landscapes we dwell in and the inner or constructed mindscapes through which we make meaning. \nAt the same time\, the exhibition engages the question of art in the age of AI. With these technologies now firmly part of contemporary life\, and the genie already out of the bottle\, Sánchez-Falero approaches artificial intelligence not simply as a tool\, but as a new mimetic medium: one that emerges from human design and human data\, and that can therefore function as a technological mirror of contemporary culture and consciousness and biases. \nThrough the exhibition and artist talk\, he offers an accessible introduction to AI and large language models while reflecting on mimesis across painting\, photography\, and AI-generated imagery\, helping audiences place these new tools in a broader historical and artistic perspective. Sánchez-Falero is a visual artist and physicist based in Ames\, Iowa. Across his practice\, he explores identity through portraiture of life\, spaces\, and moments\, often working at the intersection of photography\, language and technology. His work moves between natural and conceptual space\, asking how human beings dwell in the world\, how they represent it\, and how they continually reshape both their environments and themselves. \nThe exhibition is on view at Gallery in the Round\, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames\,\n1015 Hyland Ave.\, Ames\, IA. \nViewing hours are Monday and Tues.\, 9 a.m. to noon\, and Wed. and Thurs.\, 1 to 4 p.m.\, or by appointment by calling 515-292-5960. \nMedia Contact:\nSebastián Sánchez-Falero\n515-372-5661\nsfs@sebastiansanchez.net\nwww.SebastianSanchez.net
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/landscapes-mindscapes-reflections-on-the-worlds-gallery-in-the-round-2-2/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – Gallery in the Round\, 1015 Hyland Ave\, Ames\, IA 50014\, Ames\, IA\, 50014\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sebastian-Sanchez-Falero-IOWA-Plains-High-Treslte-Trail-Bridge-Web-version.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames - Gallery in the Round":MAILTO:gallery@uufames.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T150000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T033548Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T033548Z
UID:10003338-1779976800-1779980400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Unitypoint Health - Eyerly Ball at the Library
DESCRIPTION:Staff from UnityPoint Health – Eyerly Ball will be available in the Library to connect you with mental health services. \n\nThursdays\, 2 – 3 p.m. on the second floor\, Lisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room\n\nUnityPoint Health – Eyerly Ball offers a full continuum of mental health services and treatment to meet the needs of our community\, from family and individual counseling to outpatient care for all ages. Eyerly Ball’s core focus is on outpatient\, residential\, community outreach\, care coordination and crisis services.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/unitypoint-health-eyerly-ball-at-the-library/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260124T165052Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260124T165052Z
UID:10003635-1779989400-1779998400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:A Place to Mend\, FREE EVENT\, 4th Thursdays\, ages 21+ - Octagon Center for the Arts
DESCRIPTION:A Place to Mend\, FREE EVENT\, 4th Thursdays\, ages 21+\n\n\nA Place to Mend\nEvery 4th Thursday\n5:30 – 8 p.m. \nNew in 2026: Monthly Skill Building Themes \nCheck the Octagon calendar for monthly topics! \nAs always\, Mending nights are free\, or a suggested donation of $5 for instruction\, tips -n- tricks.\nAges 21+ (Feel free to bring your favorite beverage; alcoholic or non-alcoholic) \nHave a few mending/repair projects you have been wanting to work on? Gather them up and join the Octagon for some creative\, productive\, and soulful fun. You are encouraged to bring any projects to work on\, i.e… knitting\, crochet\, needle work\, whatever. We will have a special guest\, and author of  Mend it Better\, Kristin Roach\, with us for this community gathering. Kristin is also a published author of worldwide knitting patterns\, the Craftleftovers zine series\, a community organizer\, artist\, and owner of Little Woods: Herbs and Teas in downtown Ames. \nEvent Location: Octagon Center for the Arts\nReading Room\n3rd Floor
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/a-place-to-mend-free-event-4th-thursdays-ages-21-octagon-center-for-the-arts/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:Octagon Center for the Arts\, 427 Douglas Avenue\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Octagon Center for the Arts":MAILTO:info@octagonarts.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260528T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T034738Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T034738Z
UID:10003343-1779991200-1779998400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Dementia Caregiver Support Group - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Caring for someone with dementia can bring challenging moments. Join others who understand the journey and share your experiences\, and leave with practical\, confidence-building tools you can use right away. \nAll caregivers are welcome. Dale H. Ross Board Room \nCheck the Ames Public Library’s calendar for specific topic each month. \nPresented in partnership with Ames Public Library\, Dementia Friendly Iowa\, and Home Care Assistance.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/dementia-caregiver-support-group-ames-public-library/2026-05-28/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DementiaCaregiverSupportGroup-2026-01-FB-INSTAGRAM-02.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251229T172121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T172121Z
UID:10002367-1780048800-1780070400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDemocratic Material Meets Iowa Weather\nWorking 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. \nISU Innovation in Action\nThe 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. \n“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.” \nAfter 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. \nExhibition Details\n“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 . \nThis exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering. \nThe exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18\, 2026\nWeekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nChristian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery\nMorrill Hall\, Ground Floor Hallway\nFree admission \nSpecial Event\nMarch 10\, 5:30–6:30 PM\nTech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering\nChristian Petersen Art Museum\, 003 Morrill Hall \nIn 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.\nFree and open to the public.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/terra-cotta-conservation-in-the-art-on-campus-collection/2026-05-29/
LOCATION:Christian Peterson Art Museum\, 1017 Morrill Hall\, 603 Morrill Rd\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Exhibition_Terra_Cotta_Email_Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260202T195117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T223918Z
UID:10004291-1780056000-1780070400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People's College - University Museums
DESCRIPTION:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College\nFebruary – October 2026 \nAmerica 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College honors key people\, moments\, objects\, and experiences centered within Farm House through more than 250 primary source objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm\, Early Iowa\, Immigration\, National Imagery\, Native Stories\, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts\, textiles\, furniture\, agricultural implements\, and documents that trace the land-grant university’s heritage and the nation’s evolution. \nVisitors will see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook as the first Black man to enroll\, graduate\, and teach at Iowa State; a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852 personalized with the name “Anna”; Mary Beaumont Welch’s 1884 cookbook from the first Department of Domestic Economy in the nation; the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s; and early student yearbooks revealing timeless aspects of college life. \nReflective questions appear throughout the exhibition\, inviting visitors to consider how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary society. Topics range from the Morrill Act of 1862 and land-grant universities to immigration patterns in Iowa\, Indigenous history\, and Victorian-era technological innovation. \nOn July 4\, 2026\, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Farm House Museum\, built in 1860 as Iowa State’s first building\, has been central to the development of campus\, Iowa State heritage\, education\, innovation\, and national policy.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/america-250-prairie-plows-and-the-peoples-college-2/2026-05-29/
LOCATION:Farm House Museum\, 601 Farm House Lane\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/unnamed-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260530T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260530T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T043147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T043147Z
UID:10003409-1780153200-1780156800@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Conversation Circles: Russian - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in Russian. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language. \nTo join via Zoom\, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706386269?pwd=h7HfoFApVWwea7yboGPUGsxXgRhD9w.1
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/conversation-circles-russian-ames-public-library-2/2026-05-30/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ConversationCircles-2022-01-INSTAGRAM-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260530T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260530T173000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T044441Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T044441Z
UID:10003433-1780156800-1780162200@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Conversation Circles: French - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Gather (in person or online) for casual conversations in French. Chat in your native language or get comfortable speaking in another language. \nTo join via Zoom\, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81706386269?pwd=h7HfoFApVWwea7yboGPUGsxXgRhD9w.1
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/conversation-circles-french-ames-public-library-2/2026-05-30/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ConversationCircles-2022-01-INSTAGRAM.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260601T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260601T120000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260418T190638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T190850Z
UID:10005238-1780304400-1780315200@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds - Gallery in the Round
DESCRIPTION:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds \nThe Gallery in the Round at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames will present Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds We Inhabit\, a solo exhibition by visual artist and physicist Sebastián Sánchez-Falero\, on view from April 4 through June 30. A public reception will be held on Sat.\, May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.\, featuring an artist talk and discussion open to the public. \nBringing together two complementary bodies of work\, Landscapes & Mindscapes reflects on the natural and technological environments that shape contemporary life. One series\, Endless Horizons: Colors of the Iowa Plains\, contemplates the quiet beauty of Iowa’s land\, sky\, and seasons through photography showcasing light\, atmosphere\, and human presence. The other\, Minds on a Digital Mirror: Exploring the Human Tapestry\, uses AI-assisted visual art to explore what it means to be human in an age increasingly shaped by intelligent machines. \nTogether\, the exhibition places Iowa’s physical landscape in dialogue with the conceptual and technological worlds we now inhabit. It draws attention to the quiet beauty of the land while opening space to reflect on the less visible terrains of contemporary existence: memory\, imagination\, data\, simulation\, and the digital systems that increasingly surround us and accelerate human experience. As Sánchez-Falero puts it\, the exhibition grows from the question\, “What does it mean to be human here and now?” Holding these realities in the same room\, Landscapes & Mindscapes invites viewers to consider both the outer landscapes we dwell in and the inner or constructed mindscapes through which we make meaning. \nAt the same time\, the exhibition engages the question of art in the age of AI. With these technologies now firmly part of contemporary life\, and the genie already out of the bottle\, Sánchez-Falero approaches artificial intelligence not simply as a tool\, but as a new mimetic medium: one that emerges from human design and human data\, and that can therefore function as a technological mirror of contemporary culture and consciousness and biases. \nThrough the exhibition and artist talk\, he offers an accessible introduction to AI and large language models while reflecting on mimesis across painting\, photography\, and AI-generated imagery\, helping audiences place these new tools in a broader historical and artistic perspective. Sánchez-Falero is a visual artist and physicist based in Ames\, Iowa. Across his practice\, he explores identity through portraiture of life\, spaces\, and moments\, often working at the intersection of photography\, language and technology. His work moves between natural and conceptual space\, asking how human beings dwell in the world\, how they represent it\, and how they continually reshape both their environments and themselves. \nThe exhibition is on view at Gallery in the Round\, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames\,\n1015 Hyland Ave.\, Ames\, IA. \nViewing hours are Monday and Tues.\, 9 a.m. to noon\, and Wed. and Thurs.\, 1 to 4 p.m.\, or by appointment by calling 515-292-5960. \nMedia Contact:\nSebastián Sánchez-Falero\n515-372-5661\nsfs@sebastiansanchez.net\nwww.SebastianSanchez.net
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/landscapes-mindscapes-reflections-on-the-worlds-gallery-in-the-round/2026-06-01/
LOCATION:Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – Gallery in the Round\, 1015 Hyland Ave\, Ames\, IA 50014\, Ames\, IA\, 50014\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sebastian-Sanchez-Falero-IOWA-Plains-High-Treslte-Trail-Bridge-Web-version.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames - Gallery in the Round":MAILTO:gallery@uufames.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260601T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260601T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251229T172121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T172121Z
UID:10002368-1780308000-1780329600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDemocratic Material Meets Iowa Weather\nWorking 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. \nISU Innovation in Action\nThe 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. \n“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.” \nAfter 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. \nExhibition Details\n“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 . \nThis exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering. \nThe exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18\, 2026\nWeekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nChristian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery\nMorrill Hall\, Ground Floor Hallway\nFree admission \nSpecial Event\nMarch 10\, 5:30–6:30 PM\nTech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering\nChristian Petersen Art Museum\, 003 Morrill Hall \nIn 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.\nFree and open to the public.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/terra-cotta-conservation-in-the-art-on-campus-collection/2026-06-01/
LOCATION:Christian Peterson Art Museum\, 1017 Morrill Hall\, 603 Morrill Rd\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Exhibition_Terra_Cotta_Email_Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260601T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260601T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260202T195117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T223918Z
UID:10004292-1780315200-1780329600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People's College - University Museums
DESCRIPTION:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College\nFebruary – October 2026 \nAmerica 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College honors key people\, moments\, objects\, and experiences centered within Farm House through more than 250 primary source objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm\, Early Iowa\, Immigration\, National Imagery\, Native Stories\, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts\, textiles\, furniture\, agricultural implements\, and documents that trace the land-grant university’s heritage and the nation’s evolution. \nVisitors will see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook as the first Black man to enroll\, graduate\, and teach at Iowa State; a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852 personalized with the name “Anna”; Mary Beaumont Welch’s 1884 cookbook from the first Department of Domestic Economy in the nation; the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s; and early student yearbooks revealing timeless aspects of college life. \nReflective questions appear throughout the exhibition\, inviting visitors to consider how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary society. Topics range from the Morrill Act of 1862 and land-grant universities to immigration patterns in Iowa\, Indigenous history\, and Victorian-era technological innovation. \nOn July 4\, 2026\, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Farm House Museum\, built in 1860 as Iowa State’s first building\, has been central to the development of campus\, Iowa State heritage\, education\, innovation\, and national policy.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/america-250-prairie-plows-and-the-peoples-college-2/2026-06-01/
LOCATION:Farm House Museum\, 601 Farm House Lane\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/unnamed-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T120000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260418T190638Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T190850Z
UID:10005239-1780390800-1780401600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds - Gallery in the Round
DESCRIPTION:Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds \nThe Gallery in the Round at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames will present Landscapes & Mindscapes: Reflections on the Worlds We Inhabit\, a solo exhibition by visual artist and physicist Sebastián Sánchez-Falero\, on view from April 4 through June 30. A public reception will be held on Sat.\, May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m.\, featuring an artist talk and discussion open to the public. \nBringing together two complementary bodies of work\, Landscapes & Mindscapes reflects on the natural and technological environments that shape contemporary life. One series\, Endless Horizons: Colors of the Iowa Plains\, contemplates the quiet beauty of Iowa’s land\, sky\, and seasons through photography showcasing light\, atmosphere\, and human presence. The other\, Minds on a Digital Mirror: Exploring the Human Tapestry\, uses AI-assisted visual art to explore what it means to be human in an age increasingly shaped by intelligent machines. \nTogether\, the exhibition places Iowa’s physical landscape in dialogue with the conceptual and technological worlds we now inhabit. It draws attention to the quiet beauty of the land while opening space to reflect on the less visible terrains of contemporary existence: memory\, imagination\, data\, simulation\, and the digital systems that increasingly surround us and accelerate human experience. As Sánchez-Falero puts it\, the exhibition grows from the question\, “What does it mean to be human here and now?” Holding these realities in the same room\, Landscapes & Mindscapes invites viewers to consider both the outer landscapes we dwell in and the inner or constructed mindscapes through which we make meaning. \nAt the same time\, the exhibition engages the question of art in the age of AI. With these technologies now firmly part of contemporary life\, and the genie already out of the bottle\, Sánchez-Falero approaches artificial intelligence not simply as a tool\, but as a new mimetic medium: one that emerges from human design and human data\, and that can therefore function as a technological mirror of contemporary culture and consciousness and biases. \nThrough the exhibition and artist talk\, he offers an accessible introduction to AI and large language models while reflecting on mimesis across painting\, photography\, and AI-generated imagery\, helping audiences place these new tools in a broader historical and artistic perspective. Sánchez-Falero is a visual artist and physicist based in Ames\, Iowa. Across his practice\, he explores identity through portraiture of life\, spaces\, and moments\, often working at the intersection of photography\, language and technology. His work moves between natural and conceptual space\, asking how human beings dwell in the world\, how they represent it\, and how they continually reshape both their environments and themselves. \nThe exhibition is on view at Gallery in the Round\, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames\,\n1015 Hyland Ave.\, Ames\, IA. \nViewing hours are Monday and Tues.\, 9 a.m. to noon\, and Wed. and Thurs.\, 1 to 4 p.m.\, or by appointment by calling 515-292-5960. \nMedia Contact:\nSebastián Sánchez-Falero\n515-372-5661\nsfs@sebastiansanchez.net\nwww.SebastianSanchez.net
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/landscapes-mindscapes-reflections-on-the-worlds-gallery-in-the-round/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames – Gallery in the Round\, 1015 Hyland Ave\, Ames\, IA 50014\, Ames\, IA\, 50014\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sebastian-Sanchez-Falero-IOWA-Plains-High-Treslte-Trail-Bridge-Web-version.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames - Gallery in the Round":MAILTO:gallery@uufames.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T120000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251103T001033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T001033Z
UID:10001130-1780394400-1780401600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Heartland of Story County at APL - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Staff from Heartland of Story County will be available in the Library to connect Story County residents who are 60+ and their caregivers with programs and services. Visitors may apply for Heartland programs\, explore ways to stay active and independent\, find low income assistance\, and learn about other resources. \nLisa Fawcett Nilsson Study Room – 2nd floor \n515 Douglas Avenue\nAmes\, IA 50010\n(515) 239-5646 \nLibrary Hours\n\nMon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.\nFri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.\nSun: 1 – 5 p.m.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/heartland-of-story-county-at-apl-ames-public-library/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251229T172121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T172121Z
UID:10002369-1780394400-1780416000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDemocratic Material Meets Iowa Weather\nWorking 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. \nISU Innovation in Action\nThe 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. \n“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.” \nAfter 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. \nExhibition Details\n“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 . \nThis exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering. \nThe exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18\, 2026\nWeekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nChristian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery\nMorrill Hall\, Ground Floor Hallway\nFree admission \nSpecial Event\nMarch 10\, 5:30–6:30 PM\nTech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering\nChristian Petersen Art Museum\, 003 Morrill Hall \nIn 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.\nFree and open to the public.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/terra-cotta-conservation-in-the-art-on-campus-collection/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Christian Peterson Art Museum\, 1017 Morrill Hall\, 603 Morrill Rd\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Exhibition_Terra_Cotta_Email_Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260202T195117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T223918Z
UID:10004293-1780401600-1780416000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People's College - University Museums
DESCRIPTION:America 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College\nFebruary – October 2026 \nAmerica 250: Prairie\, Plows\, and the People’s College honors key people\, moments\, objects\, and experiences centered within Farm House through more than 250 primary source objects. The exhibition presents six themes—Early Iowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm\, Early Iowa\, Immigration\, National Imagery\, Native Stories\, and Innovation and the Victorian Home—through decorative arts\, textiles\, furniture\, agricultural implements\, and documents that trace the land-grant university’s heritage and the nation’s evolution. \nVisitors will see George Washington Carver featured in the 1896 Bomb yearbook as the first Black man to enroll\, graduate\, and teach at Iowa State; a hand-painted Norwegian Rosemaling trunk from 1852 personalized with the name “Anna”; Mary Beaumont Welch’s 1884 cookbook from the first Department of Domestic Economy in the nation; the VEISHA bicycle from the 1890s; and early student yearbooks revealing timeless aspects of college life. \nReflective questions appear throughout the exhibition\, inviting visitors to consider how historical narratives continue to shape contemporary society. Topics range from the Morrill Act of 1862 and land-grant universities to immigration patterns in Iowa\, Indigenous history\, and Victorian-era technological innovation. \nOn July 4\, 2026\, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of its founding. Farm House Museum\, built in 1860 as Iowa State’s first building\, has been central to the development of campus\, Iowa State heritage\, education\, innovation\, and national policy.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/america-250-prairie-plows-and-the-peoples-college-2/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Farm House Museum\, 601 Farm House Lane\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/unnamed-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T170000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251103T004926Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T004926Z
UID:10001171-1780416000-1780419600@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Kids Chess Club - Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Come play chess! Whether you are just a beginner or already an expert\, all kids in grades 1-5 are welcome to come have fun. Drop in and learn how to play or make new friends with other chess lovers.  Storytime Room \n515 Douglas Avenue\nAmes\, IA 50010 \n(515) 239-5646 \n\nLibrary Hours \nMon. – Thurs.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.\nFri. & Sat.: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.\nSun: 1 – 5 p.m.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/kids-chess-club-ames-public-library/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/KidsChessClub-2024-06-FB-INSTAGRAM-02.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T200000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260124T161611Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260124T161611Z
UID:10003573-1780423200-1780430400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Portrait Painting Ages\, 18+ - Octagon Center for the Arts
DESCRIPTION:Art of the Portrait\,  Ages 18+\nTuesdays\, 6 – 8 p.m.\nFebruary 10 – 24 (3 weeks)\n$85 \nStudents will explore the art of painting portraits.  Students have the choice to paint from a photo\, or paint a self-portrait by using a mirror. Students will learn to explore color\, likeness\, and the many ways of depicting a person on canvas.\nOil paint focused\, but other media are also welcome. All skill levels are welcome! \nInstructor: Zack Bukovich\nClass Size Limit: 10\nStudio Location: TBA \nStudent supply list:\nChoose preferred type of Paint: Gouache\, Acrylic or Oil Paint \n\n4-6 canvases\, panels or paper\, between 9 x12” and 16 x 20”\n\nGouache or Acrylic Supplies: \n\nGouache or Acrylic paints: A simple color palette of basic colors (red\, blue\, yellow\, black\, white and brown).\nBrushes*\n\nOil Painting Supplies: \n\nOil Paints:  Ivory Black\, Yellow Ochre\, Titanium white\, warm yellow and cool yellow (usually cadmium yellow and lemon yellow)\, warm red and cool red (usually cadmium red and alizarin crimson) and ultramarine blue; other colors of your choice (bring what you have).\nMixed sized brushes (can be bristle or synthetic)*\nPalette Knife\nPalette surface (sheets are fine)\nOdorless Turpentine or Gamsol\nPaint mixing tray\n*The Octagon will provide  paper towels\, pencils\, gently used paintbrushes of varying type and size.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/portrait-painting-ages-18-octagon-center-for-the-arts-2/2026-06-02/
LOCATION:Octagon Center for the Arts\, 427 Douglas Avenue\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Self_Portrait_Class_brlmev.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Octagon Center for the Arts":MAILTO:info@octagonarts.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T120000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20260120T052652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T052652Z
UID:10003491-1780480800-1780488000@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Community & Family Resources at Ames Public Library
DESCRIPTION:Staff from Community and Family Resources will be available in the Library to provide information about addiction\, substance abuse treatment\, problem gambling treatment\, and mental health therapy. \nThey can also provide assistance in getting started in any of these services including filling out some of the pre-appointment forms. \n\nFirst Wednesday of Each Month\, 10am-12pm on the second floor\nThird Wednesday of Each Month\, 4-6pm on the second floor
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/community-family-resources-at-ames-public-library/2026-06-03/
LOCATION:Ames Public Library\, 515 Douglas Ave\, Ames\, IA\, 50010\, United States
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260603T160000
DTSTAMP:20260505T044711
CREATED:20251229T172121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251229T172121Z
UID:10002370-1780480800-1780502400@calendar.amesart.org
SUMMARY:Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDemocratic Material Meets Iowa Weather\nWorking 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. \nISU Innovation in Action\nThe 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. \n“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.” \nAfter 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. \nExhibition Details\n“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 . \nThis exhibition is curated by University Museums and sponsored by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and The John and Nancy Hayes Chair in Mechanical Engineering. \nThe exhibition opens January 12 and runs through December 18\, 2026\nWeekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.\nChristian Petersen Art Museum’s Neva M. Petersen Gallery\nMorrill Hall\, Ground Floor Hallway\nFree admission \nSpecial Event\nMarch 10\, 5:30–6:30 PM\nTech Meets Tradition: Preserving Campus Art with Materials Engineering\nChristian Petersen Art Museum\, 003 Morrill Hall \nIn 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.\nFree and open to the public.
URL:https://calendar.amesart.org/event/terra-cotta-conservation-in-the-art-on-campus-collection/2026-06-03/
LOCATION:Christian Peterson Art Museum\, 1017 Morrill Hall\, 603 Morrill Rd\, Ames\, IA\, 50011\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://calendar.amesart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Exhibition_Terra_Cotta_Email_Banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="University Museums":MAILTO:museums@iastate.edu
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR