Public Art

welding
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Sculpture Installation Caps Yearlong Partnership Between Dubuque and the University of Iowa

Monday, June 17, 2024
Jamie Weinfurter, a recent MFA graduate of the UI's School of Art and Art History, will install her new sculpture that she made for and with the students of Dubuque's Audubon Elementary School.
a blonde young woman works on a mural from a crane
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5 Questions with Ali Hval

Tuesday, September 5, 2023
I have completed more than 40 public murals around the country, though the majority are in Iowa. I’ve experienced “Iowa Nice” to be a real thing. In Clinton, the mayor drove me around and gave me a tour of the city after finishing a project there. While painting, people stop to chat and bring you cold drinks and snacks. In Webster City, the mayor had a dinner party for me, and personally installed the panels with a lift. If I’m painting in a big city, these things don’t happen—you just show up and do your job.
A group of people in an alley that has a lot of graffiti and other art.
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Courses Combine to Focus on Creative, Equitable Placemaking

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
One of the most cross-disciplinary classes on campus is actually two classes that have opted to combine forces. Travis Kraus teaches Community Development through Creative Placemaking in the School of Planning and Public Affairs, while Loyce Arthur teaches Action! Engage! Art! Creative Placemaking for the Public Good in the Department of Theatre Arts. Undergrad and graduate students from those departments, as well as political science, dance, engineering, and public health meet to discuss creativity and equity in placemaking.
Mural Painting in Burlington Alleyway

Downtown Burlington Alleyway Art

Published
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Academic year
2024-2025

Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Art & Art History Ali Hval engaged the Burlington community to activate a prominent downtown alleyway with public art. 

group pic

West Burlington & Burlington - Arts and Culture Plan

Published
Friday, August 16, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

For their capstone project, Urban Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs created the first comprehensive arts and cultural plan for West Burlington and Burlington, communities that share a border and strong sense of collaboration while maintaining distinct identities.

Emily Edwards standing in front of mural

Bloomfield - Mutchler Community Center Mural

Published
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Academic year
2024-2025

University of Iowa-based artist Emily Edwards painted two murals at the Mutchler Community Center in Bloomfield, IA. With input from the staff and community, the artist created a design that brings a sense of energy and excitement to the space and serves as a memorable community touchpoint. This project is part of IISC's partnership with Pathfinders RC&D. 

keeping you sewing mural

Keeping You Sewing Mural

Published
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
Academic year
2022-2023
Partner

Sean Tyler, a graduate student in the School of Art & Art History, collaborated with downtown Clinton officials and business owner Kim Rentz to design a mural that captures the character of both a downtown anchor business, Keeping You Sewing, and elements of Clinton's history and surroundings. 

Preston mural

Preston Mural

Published
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Academic year
2021-2022
Partner

Visiting Assistant Professor Ali Hval designed and installed a mural in Preston, Iowa, that reflects the community's unique history and local assets.  

In 2019, Ali Hval received her MFA with Honors at the University of Iowa in Painting and Drawing with a minor concentration in Ceramics. Her work is interdisciplinary, combining mural painting, fabric, ceramic, sculpture, and installation.

Final Presentation to Partners

Preston Non-Motorized Connectivity

Published
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Academic year
2021-2022
Partner

As part of the Senior Design Capstone Course, Civil & Environmental Engineering students designed sidewalk and trail improvements to increase non-motorized connectivity in Preston, Iowa. 

Completed Arch

Manchester Tirrill Park Gateway Sculpture

Published
Monday, March 1, 2021
Academic year
2020-2021
Partner

MFA students designed and installed a public art piece for the Manchester community, driven by a process of public engagement so that the piece reflected the values, stories and/or identity of the community.

Update from Manchester:  "The City received an anonymous gift of $5,000 to assist in the development of the park area." (Spring 2024)

Waterloo Public Art Piece

Waterloo Mural

Published
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Academic year
2020-2021
Partner

Working closely with Waterloo’s Center for the Arts, MFA student Sean Tyler designed and installed two murals at the gateway to the downtown district.

North Liberty, Iowa

North Liberty Public Art Planning Recommendations

Published
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Academic year
2018-2019

Graduate students in the course Growth Management in the School of Urban & Regional Planning completed a report outlining alternatives and best practices to inform future public art planning for the City of North Liberty.