Past Exhibitions

American Abstraction

The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art and Permanent Collection announces its art exhibition American Abstraction located in the Mary Haskell-Hansen Room of the Gallery. This UNI Permanent Art Collection exhibition was co-curated by Dr. Josh Hainy, Adjunct Professor of Art History, and Gallery Director Laura Gleissner.  
 

Abstract art in an American context often focuses on the idea of pure abstraction or non-representational art, especially the works by Abstract Expressionist or Minimalist painters. American Abstraction presents a variety of approaches to abstraction by American artists. Among the works on display are prints, paintings, and sculptures by various artists from the second half of the 20th century and early 21st century: Andy Warhol, Romare Bearden, Louise Nevelson, Robert Motherwell, Doña Rosa, and more.

“Betwixt and Between: Liminal Moments from the UNI Permanent Art Collection”

January 17 – February 24; March 20 – April 13; April 24- May 5, 2023

January 17 – February 24; March 20 – April 13; April 24- May 5, 2023

Located in the Mary Haskell-Hansen Room of the Gallery, this UNI Permanent Art Collection exhibition was curated by Gallery Director Darrell Taylor and features a number of objects recently added to the Collection, including a Japanese woodblock print by Meiji Era artist Utagawa Yoshiiku and seven drawings and paintings by Hans Breder (German American), a generous donation from the estate of Hans and Barbara Welch Breder of Iowa City. Also featured are artworks by Sandra Baker (American), M.C. Escher (Dutch), Paolo Soleri (Italian), and Todd Walker (American). Rounding out the exhibition are loaned objects from UNI Professor of Art Jeffery Byrd, which include photographs based on performance artworks by Boris Nieslony (German), Rachel Rosenthal (French American), and Heather Sincavage (American).

"The Iseminger Collection"

An opening reception hosted by the Friends of the UNI Permanent Art Collection & Gallery (PAC&G) will take place Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Courtyard between the Communication Arts Center and the Strayer-Wood Theatre Building, both of which are adjacent to the Kamerick Art Building (KAB).

The Iseminger Collection is named for UNI alumna Lois E. Iseminger who in 2011 donated over 160 works of art collected for decades in and around Chicago where she makes her home. This gift significantly boosted the aesthetic profile of the UNI Permanent Art Collection by helping fill out its holdings of Midwest contemporary artists. That same year, the Gallery presented an exhibition titled "Turning Point," for the purpose of honoring that gift.

This fall, we present significant objects from the Iseminger Collection in addition to objects never before displayed. Look for paintings by Sarah Krepp, Vera Klement, Susanne Doremus, and William Conger as well as sculptures by David Bower, Barry Tinsley, and David Bottini. Also on display are photographs by Ingvar Kenne and Jakub Augustyn, woodcut prints by Branislaw Bak, a major conceptual work by Hanne Darboven, and most of the objects from the New Art Examiner Box acquired by the collector at the New Art Examiner’s 25th Anniversary Surrealist Cabaret Ball in April of 2000.

JoAnn Schnabel and UNI Ceramic Alumni 1990 – 2021

An opening reception will take place on October 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the KAB South lobby. Also, on the final day, November 6, the Gallery will be open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

This exhibition is a group invitational event curated by UNI Professor of Art JoAnn Schnabel who will retire from teaching at the conclusion of 2021. Exhibition participants include the following: Bryan Coons (B.F.A, 2012), Lori Dale (B.A., 1997), Thaddeus Erdahl (B.F.A., 2004), Allison Fretheim (B.A., 2015), Sarah German (B.F.A., 2006), Travis Gingerich (B.F.A., 2016), Matt Kelleher (M.A., 1997), Rylie Lawrence (B.F.A., 2018), Caitlin Mary Margarett (B.F.A., 2018), Lisa McClurg (B.A., 2010), Nicholas Meyer (M.A., 2010), Daniel Orr (M.A., 1998), Jesse Parrott (B.F.A., 2010), Wade Scheel (B.A., 1995), Chris Singewald (B.F.A., 2006), Kelsey Sorensen (B.F.A, 2015), Denae Statzer (B.F.A., 2020), Brad Travis (M.A., 2003), Dallan Troyer (M.A., 1996), Madalyn Loring Vorrie (B.F.A., 2017), Amythest Warrington (B.F.A., 2014), Chad Wolf (B.F.A., 1996), and the curator herself.

Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition

Due to the university’s ongoing policy regarding the pandemic, the UNI Gallery of Art will present the exhibition online only. This competitive online group exhibition showcases outstanding recent artworks by students enrolled in classes in the UNI Department of Art.

Due to the university’s ongoing policy regarding the pandemic, the UNI Gallery of Art will present the exhibition online only. This competitive online group exhibition showcases outstanding recent artworks by students enrolled in classes in the UNI Department of Art. The juror for this year's competition is Heather Skeens, Cultural Programs Supervisor for the City of Cedar Falls and overseer of the Hearst Center for the Arts. Ms. Skeens will make a selection from student entries and choose a number of merit awards and honorable mentions. 

Juror’s Zoom lecture: Monday, March 15 at 5 p.m.

Awards Ceremony: Monday, March 29 at 5 p.m.: https://youtu.be/QcDzkEpJ518

Poster design by UNI graphic design major Sarah Westholm.

In Sync, Part II

August 17 – October 26, 2020

Curated by Gallery Director Darrell Taylor and installed in the Main Room (B). Its purpose is to offer art students, staff, and faculty a place to view art during on campus in-person instruction. COVID-19 protocols are in place, so masks must be worn, social distancing must be observed, and only 10 persons are allowed in the space at a time.

20 art objects are on display from Romare Bearden to Sonnenzimmer, from Mary Snyder Behrens to Robert Arneson, from Mark Tobey to Kee-ho Yuen, to three of our UNI photography alumni. It was conceived as a continuation of a summer 2018 single-day exhibition presented in association with a Cedar Valley Chamber Music concert titled L.A. Stories: Forgotten Composers of the Silver Screen, in which objects from different artists were paired. These pairings present the viewer with closely related themes, similar use of materials, or an uncanny presentation of shared motifs (i.e., shapes, textures, line, and subject matter).

Department of Art Faculty Exhibition

The exhibition is a formal presentation of recent accomplishments by the faculty in the UNI Department of Art and includes painting, drawing, printmaking, graphic design, sculpture, ceramics, photography, mixed media, performance and installation art as well as art history scholarship.

The exhibition is an opportunity for students and the public at large to experience current themes in contemporary art and also to meet artists who not only teach but also maintain vibrant professional careers in studio art, graphic design, art history, and art education. The opening reception begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, in the Kamerick Art Building (KAB) south lobby.

That’s So Gay: An Exploration of Homophobia & Camp in Art

Events associated with the exhibition include the following:

September 4 – 6 and 11 – 13 (times TBD), in the Gallery, "Student Reflections/Presentations" by upper level and graduate students from the spring 2018 course of the same name.

A UNI Permanent Art Collection exhibition supplemented by objects on loan to the Gallery, which was co-curated by Dr. Charles M. Adelman and Gallery Director Darrell Taylor with didactics by UNI students of art history. Featured artists include Asianpunkboy, Berenice Abbott, Nick Cave, Felix D’Eon, Kelly V. Grider, Jr., Keith Haring, George Hurrell, Ellsworth Kelly, Catherine Opie, Robert Rauschenberg, and Bruce of Los Angeles.