News, Stories and Media

Andrew Leicester (b. 1948) is the epitome of a public artist. His massive installation of nine public works of art (six sculptures and three floor mosaics to be exact) stationed in the Molecular Biology Building is a testament to his dedication to conveying a “striking sense of place.” When Leicester was commissioned in 1991, he paired with Hansen Lind Meyer, Inc. to seamlessly blend his art and their architecture.

The Art on Campus Poetry Collection pairs poetry with Iowa State University’s public artworks, creating a dialogue where poems shape the way art is experienced, and art informs the poems. Commissioned from Iowa writers, these works encourage readers to see campus art through new perspectives and deepen appreciation for both visual and literary expression.

Artists of an Era explores Iowa State University’s rich artistic heritage from the 1930s and 1940s, highlighting works created under the federal PWAP and WPA programs. The exhibition showcases murals, public art, and contributions from influential artists—including Grant Wood and Christian Petersen, while examining the vital role of women in shaping the campus arts legacy.

The Iowa State University Biographical Dictionary – Featured Bios highlights nearly 500 individuals who have made significant contributions to the university. Each entry details education, career, and accomplishments, capturing the impact of faculty, staff, alumni, and public figures on Iowa State’s history and culture.

The Fountain of the Four Seasons is an iconic landmark at Iowa State University with its imagery associated with campus as much as the Campanile, Lake LaVerne, and Cy. This work of public art contributes significantly to the beauty for which this land grant institution is known.

Stancliffe’s sculptures in the Anderson Sculpture Garden invite visitors to interact and walk within the two towering trees, while bringing about the emotive qualities of an experience from his own life, while leaving the form open to interpretation and contemplation by the visitor.

Through the Photographic Lens of King Au: Honoring Jack Trice celebrates the legacy of Iowa State University’s first African American student-athlete. The exhibition features three campus sculptures captured and interpreted through King Au’s photography, highlighting how art commemorates Trice’s courage, determination, and enduring impact.

Tom Stancliffe: Drift showcases the sculptor’s exploration of memory, displacement, and change through 16 works spanning his early career to recent creations. Featuring large-scale bronze and stainless steel sculptures, the exhibition highlights how material and form convey the artist’s reflections on society, landscape, and the passage of time.