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. 

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.
A photo of Nyari Chisaka - she poses, smiling, in a parking lot.

A Reflection from Curatorial Intern Summer 2023: Nyari Chisaka

Sunday, June 25, 2023
Click here to learn more about Nyari Chisaka and her reflections on the work she did during her 6 weeks as a curatorial intern at the Stanley Museum of Art in summer 2023.
A photo of Anaka Sanders; she is posing in front of the lobby mural at the Stanley, dressed in her graduation robes, tossing her cap in the air.

Marketing & Communications Assistant Spring/ Summer 2023: Anaka Sanders

Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Click here to learn more about Anaka Sanders and the work she does as Marketing & Communications Assistant at the Stanley Museum of Art--a position she's held since March 2023.
A photo of Alexis Belme: she is standing in front of the mural in the Stanley Museum of Art lobby, smiling, her arms crossed.

Campus Engagement Coordinator 2023/2024: Alexis Belme

Thursday, June 8, 2023
Click here to learn more about Alexis Belme and the work she will do as the Campus Engagement Coordinator at the Stanley Museum of Art beginning summer 2023 and lasting through academic year 2023/ 24.
A photo of Kate Malkusak--she stands, smiling, in front of the mural in the Stanley Museum of Art lobby.

A Reflection from Gallery Host Kate Malkusak

Friday, May 12, 2023
Click here to learn more about Kate Malkusak and her reflection on being a Gallery Host as she approaches graduation.
A photo of Katherine Shamdin; she is seated on stairs, smiling at the camera.

A Reflection from Museum Events Intern 2022/23: Katherine Shamdin

Thursday, May 11, 2023
Click here to learn more about Katherine Shamdin and her reflection on the work she has done this past year as Museum Events Intern at the Stanley Museum of Art.
A photo of Lily Hester: they are standing in front of the mural in the Stanley's lobby, dressed up, posing with their graduation cap.

A Reflection from Stanley Campus Council Intern 2022/2023: Lily Hester

Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Click here to read Lily's reflections on the work they did as the Stanley's 2022/2023 Stanley Campus Council Intern.
A photo of Emalie Brannigan; she is smiling at the camera, head tilted.

A Reflection from Campus Engagement Coordinator 2022/2023: Emalie Brannigan

Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Click here to read Emalie's reflections on the work she did as the Stanley's 2022/2023 Campus Engagement Coordinator.
A photo of Anaka Sanders; it is an action shot of her striding in front of the lobby mural at the Stanley, dressed in her graduation robes.

A Reflection from Gallery Host Anaka Sanders

Monday, May 8, 2023
Click here to learn more about Anaka Sanders and her reflection on being a Gallery Host as she approaches graduation.
A photo of Abbie, smiling.

A Reflection from Museum Programs Intern 2022/23: Abbie McLaren

Sunday, May 7, 2023
Click here to learn more about Abbie McLaren and the work she has done this past year as Museum Programs Intern at the Stanley Museum of Art.
A still image from a video of a dance project choreographed by Katherine Shamdin. In it, 5 students dance on the front steps of the Stanley.

Living Art(i)facts, Choreographed by Katherine Shamdin: An Independent Research Project

Monday, May 1, 2023
A dance performance choreographed by Museum Events Intern Katherine Shamdin.
A graphic image with a light purple background; on it are cut out blue and yellow lettering that says "homecoming playlists." There is also an image of a person standing in front of Jackson Pollock's Mural.

Homecoming: The Stanley's Exhibitions as Spotify Playlists

Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Five playlists curated by the Stanley's 2022/23 Programming Intern, Abbie McLaren, related to the inaugural exhibition "Homecoming" at the Stanley Museum of Art.
A photo of attendees at the Stanley Campus Council April 13 event, On Display: A Student Art Showcase.

Monthly Meetup: April 13 Student Art Showcase

Thursday, April 13, 2023
In case you missed the April SCC monthly event, we dedicated a night to student artists on campus to display their art for friends, family, and the community to come out to see and support. The night was packed with these stunning student artists having a chance to discuss their art and showcase their work in the Stanley lobby. Read this blog post to learn more!
A photo of Graham Parsons: he stares calmly into the camera.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Graham Parsons

Wednesday, April 12, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Graham Parsons and see some of his work!
A photo of Annelise Richardson: she is wearing a pink top and smiling at the camera.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Annelise Richardson

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Annelise Richardson and see some of her work!
A photo of Grace Burke: she is smiling gently at the camera.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Grace Burke

Monday, April 10, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Grace Burke and see some of her work!
A photo of Zoe Dervin: smiling, in a suit, lit with blue light.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Zoe Dervin

Sunday, April 9, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Zoe Dervin and see some of her work!
A photo of Alyson Holevoet: she poses in a ceramics classroom with some pieces she is working on.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Alyson Holevoet

Saturday, April 8, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Alyson Holevoet and see some of her work!
A photo of Erin Elizalde: she is facing the camera, hand on her hip, a KN95 mask covering the bottom half of her face.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Erin Elizalde

Friday, April 7, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Erin Elizalde and see some of her work!
A photo of Eliza Link: she is smiling at the camera, holding a large pot with oven mitts.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Eliza Link

Thursday, April 6, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Eliza Link and see some of her work!
A photo of GulRukh Mehboob: she is lightly smiling, looking into the camera.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: GulRukh Mehboob

Wednesday, April 5, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about GulRukh Mehboob and see some of her work!
A photo of Anaka Sanders: she is wearing a green knit sweater with a smiley face on the front and standing in front of the colorful mural in the lobby of the Stanley Museum of Art.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Anaka Sanders

Tuesday, April 4, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Anaka Sanders and see some of her work!
A photo of Maddie Meylor: she is smiling, head tilted, standing in front of an old brick building.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Maddie Meylor

Monday, April 3, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Maddie Meylor and see some of her work!
A photo of Samm Yu: bathed in pink light, they are standing in front of a microphone, speaking and gesticulating.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Samm Yu

Sunday, April 2, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Samm Yu and see some of their work!
A photo of Aubrie, posing with a bouquet of flowers in front of a brick wall.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Aubrie Robel

Saturday, April 1, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Aubrie Robel and see some of her work!
A photo of Jenna Mosnik: she is wearing a blue dress and smiling, posing in front of a beautiful body of water.

Student Art Showcase Spotlight: Jenna Mosnik

Friday, March 31, 2023
As part of the SCC's April event, we interviewed thirteen student artists to learn about what art means to them and to hear their stories about how they incorporate art into their lives while balancing school and other commitments. Click here to read about Jenna Mosnik and see some of her work!
Two students stand together in front of the Odita mural in the Stanley lobby. Each of them is holding their clay creation in their hands. They're smiling, posing with the two clay snowmen they've made.

Monthly Meetup: Dec 8 Winter De-Stress Fest

Thursday, December 8, 2022
For our December Monthly Meetup, we focused on creating a space for students to de-stress before finals week. We set out some board games, offered some arts and crafts activities, ordered food, and put on Wallace and Grommit on the lobby's big screen. Read this blog post to learn more about what the SCC got up to this month!
A photo of Lily Hester: they are posing in Art Building West, wearing a very colorful sweater.

Stanley Campus Council Intern 2022/2023: Lily Hester

Sunday, November 20, 2022
Click here to learn more about Lily Hester and the work they do as the Stanley Campus Council Intern at the Stanley Museum of Art.
A photo of the class gathered at the table. Fifteen or twenty students sit at a long conference table covered in fabric scraps, books, and garments. At the head of the table is a screen that is displaying a close up of varying sashiko stitches.

Monthly Meetup: November 10

Thursday, November 10, 2022
For our November Monthly Meetup, we wanted to focus on concepts like sustainability and community. We hosted a food drive, put on a sashiko stitching and mending workshop, and curated a special little display of garment and textile art from the Stanley's collection in the Visual Classroom. Read this blog post to learn more about what the SCC got up to this month!
Another example of the event's crafts: Three votive candles (two orange and one purple) decorated with stickers, rhinestones, and markers, and then several pompom creatures with google eyes and other embellishments.

DIY Halloween Crafts

Monday, October 17, 2022
For their October 13th Monthly Meetup Event, the SCC taught students how to make some fun Halloween crafts. If you missed the meeting--or even if you attended--and are interested in learning how to make some of these fun crafts, you can follow our instructions in this blog post.
A photo of four students gathered around a folding table in the Stanley Museum of Art lobby. They are all in the midst of making crafts: cutting yarn to make pompoms and assembling Halloween garlands.

Monthly Meetup: October 13

Thursday, October 13, 2022
For our October Monthly Meetup, the SCC was unanimous in our decision: we HAD to find a way to celebrate Halloween with students at the Stanley! Our October event included candy, a movie, Halloween crafts, and a special display of creepy art in one of the Stanley's classroom spaces. Read this blog post to learn more about how the event went down!
A photo of three gallery hosts standing at the Stanley Museum of Art front desk. Carter, Rachel, and Lily are crowded together, Rachel's arms around Carter's shoulders on her right, and Lily's shoulders on her left.

Academic Year 2022/2023 Gallery Host Team

Monday, October 10, 2022
Meet the Gallery Host team for the 2022 - 2023 academic year! These twelve students were instrumental during our first year open.
A photo of Emalie Brannigan: she is posing, half hidden by her laptop screen, smiling down at the camera.

Campus Engagement Coordinator 2022/2023: Emalie Brannigan

Sunday, September 18, 2022
Click here to learn more about Emalie Brannigan and the work she does as the Campus Engagement Coordinator at the Stanley Museum of Art.
Students doing yoga in Gibson Square Park. The photo is taken from behind, with the Stanley Museum of Art visible in the background.

Monthly Meetup: September 8

Thursday, September 8, 2022
After the hustle and bustle of the first few weeks of classes, the grand opening of the Stanley Museum of Art, and the Student Kickoff, we decided we wanted our first SCC Monthly Meetup event to be a bit more lowkey. Read this blog post to learn about what we did, and about some other campus resources you won't want to miss out on!
Eight tote bags fill the photograph--they are laid out along the floor to dry, all in different but similar shades and mixes of blue, green, and turquoise.

DIY Screenprinting

Sunday, September 4, 2022
Curious how we made the one-of-a-kind screenprinted tote bags for our Student Kickoff event in September? Follow along with this blog post for an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the messy and exciting process.
A photograph of two Stanley tote bags, hand printed by the Stanley Campus Council, laid out on bright green grass. One is printed with a rainbow ink gradient, and the other with a gradient of reds and yellows. Both read "Stanley Museum of Art" beneath a stylized, drippy brushstroke motif.

September 1 Student Kickoff

Thursday, September 1, 2022
After the grand opening, the Stanley Campus Council hosted an opening celebration geared specifically toward students--the Student Kickoff! At this event, we offered students two of their favorite things: free food and free stuff. Read this blog post to learn more about how our first ever SCC event at the new building turned out!
Aerial view of Gibson Square Park with large white tent and big crowd of people

Stanley Museum of Art Grand Opening Events

Friday, August 26, 2022
The SCC played a part in the opening celebrations for the Stanley Museum of Art August 26 - 28, 2022. Read this blog post to learn more about what the SCC planned for the opening, and how we pulled it off!
Stanley Campus Council Logo. A black line-art drawing interpretation of the Stanley Museum of Art Building. Below this drawing is an all-lowercase, tightly kerned text that reads "Stanley Campus Council."

Academic Year 22-23 Stanley Campus Council

Friday, August 19, 2022
Meet the members of the Stanley Campus Council for Academic Year 2022 - 2023! These members met once weekly during the fall and spring semesters to plan events for students and provide feedback on the programming that takes place at the museum. These members have contributed to developing, promoting, and hosting events, as well as creating social media and blog content!