Inside Iowa State

Sept. 26, 2008

New sculpture garden will be dedicated Oct. 3

by Paula Van Brocklin

Iowa State alum Elizabeth Brookhart Anderson had a rare opportunity as a student in 1952 to study sculpting one-on-one with university artist-in-residence Christian Petersen. That experience, coupled with her and her late husband Byron's exuberance for ISU, led to funding of the new Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden, located south of Morrill Hall. All are invited to the garden's dedication Oct. 3 at 10 a.m.

The garden features perennials, flowering trees and ground cover juxtaposed with contemporary sculptures by modern artists and Petersen's figurative sculptures from the university's permanent collection. The garden continues east of Morrill (across Morrill Road) with a gathering area featuring limestone benches.

Exhibitions of contemporary sculpture will change every two years. The garden's inaugural exhibition will feature the abstract works of Bill Barrett, whose sculpture, "Bravo III," appears at Gerdin Business Building. In conjunction with the garden's opening, Barrett will present a free lecture Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. in the Christian Petersen Art Museum, 1017 Morrill.

Lynette Pohlman, director of university museums, said the garden provides the campus community with a different perspective of Petersen's works.

"This is a chance for the campus to see his work in a larger context," Pohlman said.

The Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden is free and open for viewing year round.

Dedication

Elizabeth and Byron Anderson Sculpture Garden

Oct. 3, 10 a.m.