Campus art program builds on Petersen legacy

by Linda Charles
Iowa State University has one of the largest campus art collections in the country, and it continues to build on a Christian Petersen legacy that began nearly 70 years ago.

Grant Wood's invitation
Petersen began his sculpting career at Iowa State in 1934. He came to Iowa at the invitation of Grant Wood of "American Gothic" fame, who invited him to participate in a federally funded Public Works of Art Project in Iowa City.

Once there, Grant informed Petersen that his assignment was a sculpture project at Iowa State. As part of the Depression-era WPA, Petersen created the "History of Dairying Mural" in the Food Sciences Building courtyard.

The Fountain of the Four Seasons

Petersen stayed at Iowa State for two decades, teaching art classes and chiseling masterpieces from terra cotta and and becoming the nation's first permanent artist-in-residence on a campus.

"The Gentle Doctor" an international symbol
He created more than 12 major public sculptures and hundreds of small studio sculptures. Among his best known campus works are the Fountain of the Four Seasons at the Memorial Union and the "Gentle Doctor," which has become an international symbol for veterinarians.

In 1955, at age 70, Petersen retired from Iowa State, but went on to teach classes for two years at the Central Iowa Art Association studios. He died in 1961. Iowa State continued to collect public art. In 1982, the "Art on Campus" program was officially formalized. The goals of the program are "acquisition, education and conservation," notes Lynette Pohlman, University Museums director.

Today, the university has more than 400 major works of art, Pohlman said, including paintings, prints, sculptures, drawings and other works.

"Our campus art is a collaboration between the artists and the campus community," Pohlman said. "We have diverse objects, representing diverse thoughts, ideas and expressions. No one work says everything.

Thought-provoking is the goal
"Our art is intended to be thought-provoking," Pohlman said, "rather than about 'liking' and 'disliking,.'"

G-Nome atop Molecular Biology Building

Some of the most provocative art on campus, Pohlman said, is found at the Molecular Biology Building, on the north side of campus. Created by artist Andrew Leicester, the art includes two arms reaching out from the building and 12-foot tall "G-Nome" sculptures perched atop the building.

Leicester's art symbolizes the work going on inside the building, while also alluding to ethical questions about that work.

Campus art is funded in a variety of ways, including through gifts and bequests. Some of the funding is a result of state legislation that requires that part of the budget for state-funded building construction be set aside for fine art.

Portion of buildings costs earmarked for art
The Art in State Buildings program applies to projects of $1 million or more and requires that one-half of 1 percent of the total estimated cost be designated for "fine art." Such art can include sculptures, fountains, bas-reliefs, mosaics, frescoes, wall hangings, crafts, photography, pictures or other enhancements. About 275 works have been commissioned on campus through the program.

This year, 24 new pieces of art have been added to campus, Pohlman said, including a mural commissioned by the College of Education for the courtyard at Lagomarcino Hall.

Terrazzo floor, Eaton Hall

Other recently added art includes the terrazzo designs on the floor in Eaton Hall in the Union Drive residence complex, and new stained glass windows in Beardshear Hall.

"Our art program grew out of the depths of the Depression," Pohlman said. "All that was needed was inspiration."