History of the Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden
The Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden was made possible with a gift to Iowa State University by Elizabeth Anderson in memory of her husband, Byron.
Sculptures from the Art on Campus Collection and Christian Petersen Art Collection are permanently installed in the Anderson Sculpture Garden and juxtaposed with temporary two-year exhibitions of art by contemporary American sculptors, with a focus on public artists. The inaugural exhibition in 2008 featured the abstract expressionist sculpture of Bill Barrett, which was followed by an abstract figure exhibition of sculpture by William King, and most recently featured the stylized animal sculpture of Gwynn Murrill, and abstract sculptures by Charles Ginnever and most recently sculpture by Thomas Stancliffe.
“The Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden is an intimate outdoor space adjacent to Morrill Hall. Elizabeth Brookhart Anderson, a former student of campus sculptor-in-residence Christian Petersen, made a gift to establish this garden in memory of her husband in 2008. The garden is partially situated in a courtyard formed by Morrill Hall on the east and the Hub on the west. Here, the masonry walls of these two buildings provide a semiprivate enclosure for the enjoyment of sculpture, including several casts of Christian Petersen’s art. The garden extends along the walkway running south of Morrill Hall and across Morrill Road to the east, where Christian Petersen’s Panthers were installed in 2012. Planted with a variety of plant material, including ferns, hostas, roses, yews, and flowering trees, this garden marries art and nature to create a tranquil and verdant space.”
– Campus Beautiful, pg. 305
The gardens today
The Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden wraps around historic Morrill Hall. Shaded by flowering greenery, winding footpaths lined with perennials and shrubs take visitors through works of primarily American twentieth and twenty-first century sculpture. Ranging in size and material, this collection of art represents the diverse character of modern and contemporary sculpture in a natural, accessible setting.
The university’s first president Adonijah Welch (1821-1889; President 1868-83) envisioned a picturesque campus: a graceful road encircling the college’s majestic buildings, an assortment of trees sprinkled throughout providing shade, a vast lawn of green grass, and flowers tickling noses with sweet fragrances. Today, the iconic 22-acre greenspace is still at the heart of Iowa State, which has been named one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world. The Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden is located just northwest of central campus and furthers the longstanding dedication of public art at Iowa State University.
