Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...

Chill & Create, a unique and hands-on program, integrates art viewing, art making and mindfulness strategies to provide students with tools to de-stress, manage anxiety, and develop wellness practices. During the 2-hour workshop participants will learn new ways to improve well-being, while benefiting from the positive effects of viewing and making art. No prior art making experience necessary.  The workshop will be led by Dana Keeton, a local board-certified art therapist and licensed mental...

In the past week, you’ve probably asked Google to answer questions, chatted with Siri, rocked out to a new band recommended by Spotify, or asked Chat GPT to produce a first draft of a form letter for you—reminders that our lives are already deeply entwined with artificial intelligence. The term "AI" covers a host of technologies. What connects them? Our very human ambition to create machines that can learn to solve problems. Join us for the next Wide Lens panel as experts from computer science...

Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry. Teen and adult writers in all genres are welcome. Write at the Stanley meets every fourth...

On your days off from school, stop at the Stanley for kid-centered activities and snacks in our lobby. Then, head up to the galleries to try your hand at our scavenger hunts and find a new favorite artwork. This week, create holiday ornamnets inspired by Dale Chihuly. Dale Chihuly is known for curvaceous glass sculptures with swirling colors. Participants will create their own version of Chihuly's masterpieces using pre-melted plastic goblets and glass paint. The unique ornaments will be eye...

In this class, participants will draw artworks in the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different piece. The sessions will begin with an introduction to and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the piece. Classes will be held Sept. 17, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17.  Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only art-making materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and...

On your days off from school, stop at the Stanley for kid-centered activities and snacks in our lobby. Then, head up to the galleries to try your hand at our scavenger hunts and find a new favorite artwork. This week, assemble a 3D sculpture from recycled and found materials. Participants will build their sculptures on a cardboard base using low-temperature glue guns.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation between the artist behind “Spirit Dance,” Nnenna Okore, and environmental historian Robert Rouphail at the Stanley Museum of Art on November 16, 2023. Their insights will inspire and challenge you to think about the relationship between art, the environment and social justice.  In her conversation with Rouphail, Okore will discuss her process for creating her work as well as the themes and inspirations behind it. She will also talk about how her work...

Join us at the Stanley Museum of Art for our next installment of Night at the Museum—a series of monthly events for students that occur Thursday nights, when the museum is open late.  This Night at the Museum event will be a night of colorful and extravagant fun. Led by local drag queens Hazel Sanchez-Belle and Virgo Frost, we'll be playing a few rounds of bingo! In addition to bingo, we'll have custom mocktails, designed to match some of the work in the Stanley's collection.  UI Students...

On your days off from school, stop at the Stanley for kid-centered activities and snacks in our lobby. Then, head up to the galleries to try your hand at our scavenger hunts and find a new favorite artwork. The theme of this week's session is Grant Wood inspired landscapes. Create engaging landscapes full of different textures and fall colors. Participants will use textured plates and rubbing to create a variety of textures in their artwork.

Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces. Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists. Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session...

In this class, participants will draw artworks in the museum's collection. Each session will focus on a different piece. The sessions will begin with an introduction to and discussion of the selected work. Participants will be encouraged to pursue their own visions and to take inspiration from the piece. Classes will be held Sept. 17, Oct. 29, Nov. 19, Dec. 17.  Pencils and sketchbooks/paper are the only art-making materials allowed in the galleries. The museum has golf pencils with erasers and...

Pog by Lyn Lee tells the story of a small monster named Pog. He is brave but has one major fear: CHILDREN! Are they lurking under his bed? Hiding in a cupboard? They could be anywhere. What's a monster to do? After the story, kids can choose to make a monster mask or crown. Workshop led by Debra Marqusee. Stanley Creates is planned with families in mind; UI students are also welcome to attend. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Please reserve your spot at https:/...

Please join us for an interdisciplinary conversation at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art featuring three UI community-engaged scholars who have recently published co-authored, collaborative works. A Q&A will follow the remarks.

Join us monthly to generate new creative writing inspired by works in the Stanley collection. Each session will be led by a different talented writer from our area, who will be offering a new prompt and a new approach to ekphrastic writing (writing inspired by visual art). Bring your own notebook and pencil or computer and leave with the beginning of a newly written piece. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Poetry. Teen and adult writers in all genres are welcome. Write at the Stanley meets every fourth...

The Stanley Museum of Art presents a gallery talk on art for Mami Wata by Cory Gundlach, curator of African art. The talk will focus on sculptures by Nigerian artist Joseph Chukwu and Ghanaian artist Eric Adjetey Anang now on view in "History is Always Now,” an exhibition that Gundlach curated for the Stanley Museum’s inaugural installation. This talk is in conjunction with the premiere of the film Mami Wata at FilmScene on Oct. 20, 2023. Gundlach will explore the historical contexts...

EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY Part of Hancher's Infinite Dream festival Professor Rebekah Kowal is a widely recognized scholar across the dance field and is the executive officer of the University of Iowa’s Department of Dance. Her current research decodes a range of connections between dance practices and 20th century American culture. Irving Berlin’s 1943 hit movie, This Is the Army, depicted how a rag-tag company of civilians came together to produce a camp revue. Kowal's talk...

The Iowa City Gallery Walk is back for another year and once again begins at the Stanley! Celebrating one year since the inauguration of its building, the Stanley Museum of Art will be the first stop featured in the 2023 Downtown Fall Gallery Walk on Friday, Oct. 13 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Experience the museums world-class collection of art, discover the latest acquisitions and gain an understanding of diverse cultures and traditions by visiting the newest exhibition of Native American ledger...

On your days off from school, stop at the Stanley for kid-centered activities and snacks in our lobby. Then, head up to the galleries to try your hand at our scavenger hunts and find a new favorite artwork. For the month of October, we will be creating "spooktacular" model magic monsters using air-dry clay!  

FREE Part of Hancher's Infinite Dream festival Writer/performer Aaron Pang is an MFA candidate in the University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program. His in-development thesis Herein Lies the Truth traverses a range of disciplines: creative nonfiction, stand-up comedy, and theatre arts. The work also reckons with complex questions about disability, race, and sexuality. The conversation will include a short presentation of work-in-progress as well as a conversation with faculty members from...