University Art Museum Showcases Conservation Technology Behind Historic Terra Cotta Preservation
January 04, 2026
Author: Nicky Christensen
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 the college'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.
"Terra cotta can endure centuries—we see this in ancient artifacts around the world," said Lynette Pohlman, the Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed Director and Chief Curator of University Museums. "What we're addressing with Petersen's sculptures are primarily well-intentioned human interventions over the decades—maintenance decisions, installation techniques—that created vulnerabilities which Iowa weather then exploits. This is why routine, professional care matters so much for public art and our cultural history."
ISU Innovation in Action
The exhibition highlights the partnership between University Museums and ISU's Manufacturing & Teaching Labs, from which materials engineer 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 maintenance issues and past interventions—sandblasting, improper grout maintenance, and installation techniques that don't allow proper drainage—which Iowa's freeze-thaw cycles then accelerate over time. The same material that once drained Iowa's agricultural fields (as drain tiles) graces campus buildings and public spaces, requiring specialized preservation approaches, including those developed with 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 documenting 90 years of weathering and conservation interventions.
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, one week before spring semester classes begin, providing community members with a chance to learn about conservation science before the semester rush.
Terra Cotta Conservation in the Art on Campus Collection
January 12 – 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 | Museums.iastate.edu
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.
About University Museums
University Museums at Iowa State University serves Iowa through free exhibitions, educational programming, and stewardship of one of the nation's largest campus public art collections. The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. Learn more at museums.iastate.edu
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Images:
1. Historic process model for the History of Dairying fountain, a National Register of Historic Places landmark in the courtyard of the Iowa State University Food Sciences Building, created in 1934 by Danish-American artist Christian Petersen. Photo provided by University Museums, Iowa State University.
2. Fountain of the Four Seasons, pictured at a rededication ceremony in 2024 following conservation work on the limestone maidens. The fountain is an icon of the Iowa State University campus, located on the north side of the Memorial Union. The fountain was created in 1941 by Danish-American artist Christian Petersen. Photo by Christopher Gannon, Iowa State University.
3. Sawyer Krotz of Iowa State University using a handheld scanner on the base of the fountain portion of the History of Dairying landmark. Photo provided by University Museums, Iowa State University.
Video and audio assets:
1. Sculpting an Icon: Christian Petersen and the "Fountain of the Four Seasons" Guest Curator Jerome Thompson presents the story behind the iconic "Fountain of the Four Seasons" on the campus at Iowa State University. https://youtu.be/SCuC9fgOnaY?si=_1etP_kj8hejYXlr
2. Fountain of the Four Seasons Carving Timelapse https://youtu.be/SIDeDG1ursM?si=8is2cd8moVl-OKMB
3. Fountain of the Four Seasons rededication program Oct. 4, 2024 Selected remarks from ISU President Wendy Wintersteen. https://youtu.be/jXTfFkD4des?si=uTpODGBRO3clquoe
4. "History of Dairying" through the Perspective of the ISU Creamery. ISU Creamery Director Sarah Canova highlights the historic practices depicted in Christian Petersen’s "History of Dairying" 1930s mural. https://youtu.be/lWDdrHbOD6s?si=vsvqAk14Jcthc7QH
5. The Life & Legacy of Christian Petersen: History of Dairying https://youtu.be/96hXjHQcGok?si=8TDS7HcdNinlwfXl