Nov. 10, 2011
Extra-public art
The Art in State Buildings project in the south foyer of Horticulture Hall puts a whole new spin on "public" art. A four-wall mural by Sticks founder Sarah Grant and her team of artists is being created in the building this fall. The on-site work began Sept. 12 with pencil sketching (bottom image). Students, faculty, staff and alumni were invited to share with the artists their ideas for the history and unique qualities of horticulture at Iowa State. In mid-October, a team of artists began the process of burning the images into birch panels (above). The team currently is painting and hopes to wrap up its work next week. As a final step, all the wood, including four office doors that open onto the foyer, will be sealed.
The horticulture mural becomes part of University Museums' Art on Campus collection. Funding comes from the horticulture greenhouses replacement project. Since 1978, the Iowa Art in State Buildings program requires that 0.5 percent of new construction or remodeling funds be used to acquire public art for the project. Photos by Bob Elbert.
