student blog

Along with the Stanley's belief in getting students into and engaged with the museum physically, we also believe students should have a space to share their research, creative projects, writing, and other achievements, expertise, and thoughts about art, art history, and the Stanley with their peers. 

The Stanley Student Blog will not only serve as a way to make our events accessible, but also to preserve the work that students do;  their work isn't gone once the event they helped coordinate is over or their employment ends, but lives on here, for future students to engage with days, weeks, months, or maybe even years later. 

If you're interested in contributing to our blog in some type of way, please reach out to Assistant Curator of Student Engagement Allie Tokarski at allison-tokarski@uiowa.edu. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the art on display at the Stanley, the work you're doing related to the Stanley or the arts community on campus, or how the arts are impacting your time here at Iowa. 

cover for the social justice self-guided tour. blue polka dotted background

Social Justice Self-Guided Tour

Tuesday, February 6, 2024
As part of her internship, Campus Engagement Coordinator Alexis Belme created a social justice themed self-guided tour. Due to the museum's gallery rotation schedule, this tour was only available for a short time; check out this blog post to learn more about Alexis's process and see the final result if you weren't able to pick up a copy at the front desk!
two students working at the flower station. Alexis Belme the campus engagement coordinator is one the left and Georgia Corbin a gallery host is one the right

Night at the Museum: Date Night

Tuesday, February 6, 2024
In case you couldn't make it to this months installment of Night at the Museum, we held a date night for Valentine's Day! We had a love-themed scavenger hunt, DIY mini flower bouquets, a little photo booth, and so so many yummy snacks!!
A photo of Alexis, the Stanley's Campus Engagement Coordinator and the student in charge of the HBD event, posing in front of the tables with the cupcakes on them.

2023 Fall Semester Recap

Friday, December 8, 2023
In case you couldn't make it to some of our events this semester or wanted some insight, read more about what we have been up to!
students and community members are shown playing bingo around tables. The game is being led by two local drag queens wearing green

Night at the Museum: Bingo Queens

Friday, November 10, 2023
In case you couldn't make it to our second installment of Night at the Museum, we held a fun bingo game hosted by local drag queens! We played multiple rounds of bingo, had art themed mocktails, and even did a Q&A with the queens, Hazel Sanchez-Belle and Virgo Frost.
A photo of the Art of Voting event, showcasing the info table at the front of the event. At the table sits Campus Engage Coordinator Alexis Belme, who is smiling, prepared to greet event attendees as they walk through the museum's front doors.

Night at the Museum: The Art of Voting

Monday, September 18, 2023
In case you couldn't make it to our first installment of Night at the Museum, we held an event to engage students in registering to vote! We hosted Hawk the Vote to help get students registered, had snacks and drinks, and had a table for voter button making.
A collection of art from the Stanley collaged under the titled "The Eras Tour: SMA's Version" and a picture of Taylor Swift.

The Eras Tour, SMA's Version: A Project by Anaka Sanders

Thursday, September 14, 2023
A comparison of artwork from the Stanley Museum of Art’s collection to Taylor Swift’s ten original studio albums – creating a Stanley Eras Tour.
A photo of Abbey, with library shelves behind her.

Mellon Graduate Assistant 2023 - 2025: Abbey Minor

Thursday, August 31, 2023
Click here to learn more about Abbey Minor, the Stanley Museum of Art's Mellon Graduate Assistant for the grant's two year cycle.
A photo of the event in action. Students mingle around, eating cupcakes, reading the zines, and chatting. Jack and Anaka, two gallery hosts, sit at the event's welcome desk.

HBD, SMA: Celebrating One Year at the Stanley Museum of Art

Tuesday, August 29, 2023
In case you missed our celebration, we threw a party for students to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Stanley Museum of Art's reopening. We created a zine showcasing all the student-related programming, projects, and initiatives that the Stanley had to offer over the past year, ordered a ton of cupcakes from Molly's, and shared ways for students to get engaged with the museum this academic year.
a photo of Melanie, smiling and posing in front of a glass display case of ceramics.

Graduate Assistant for Learning & Engagement 2023/ 2024: Melanie Landsittel

Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Click here to learn more about Melanie Landsittel and the work she will do as the Graduate Assistant for Learning & Engagement at the Stanley Museum of during academic year 2023/ 24.