The following was compiled by Cecil Campbell, exhibition and engagement student lead for the Main Library Gallery, and features select exhibition text by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner. During his considerable tenure as conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, James Dixon developed a reputation for programming modern compositions, which occasionally ruffled the feathers of his more traditional-minded audienceContinue reading “Mahler’s influence on James Dixon”
Author Archives: Sara J. Pinkham
James Dixon’s lasting impact on the Quad City Symphony Orchestra
The following was compiled by Cecil Campbell, exhibition and engagement student lead for the Main Library Gallery, and features select exhibition text by Sarah Suhadolnik and Katie Buehner. In 1916, the Tri-Cities area—Rock Island, Illinois; Moline, Illinois; and Davenport, Iowa—was the smallest community in the country to support a full symphony orchestra. Now the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO), itContinue reading “James Dixon’s lasting impact on the Quad City Symphony Orchestra “
Curator Q&A with Katie Buehner
Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon, the spring 2026 exhibition in the University of Iowa Main Library Gallery, provides a glimpse into the life of its namesake through stories and objects from the recently donated James Dixon Papers. From newspaper clippings and photographs to official documents and correspondence, each item on display helps piece together hisContinue reading “Curator Q&A with Katie Buehner”
Curator Q&A with Sarah Suhadolnik
Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon, the spring 2026 exhibition in the Main Library Gallery, provides a glimpse into the life of its namesake through stories and objects from the recently donated James Dixon Papers. From newspaper clippings and photographs to official documents and correspondence, each item on display helps piece together his adventurous international career as an orchestraContinue reading “Curator Q&A with Sarah Suhadolnik”
Iowa conductor James Dixon honored in new Main Library Gallery exhibition
The Main Library Gallery at the University of Iowa Libraries welcomes visitors to go “behind the podium” in its new exhibition about local orchestra conductor James Dixon (1928–2007). Free and open to the public, Orchestrating Community: The Public Service of Iowa Conductor James Dixon opened on Jan. 20 and will be on display through JuneContinue reading “Iowa conductor James Dixon honored in new Main Library Gallery exhibition”
Curator Q&A with Giselle Simón
Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education, the fall 2025 exhibition in the Main Library Gallery, features an array of unique items from University of Iowa Libraries collections that share the history of paper technologies and movable books. Giselle Simón, university conservator and director of Conservation and Collections Care at the Libraries, co-curated the exhibition with Damien Ihrig and Elizabeth Yale. Her expertise in paper conservation andContinue reading “Curator Q&A with Giselle Simón”
Curator Q&A with Damien Ihrig
Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education, the fall 2025 exhibition in the Main Library Gallery, features an array of unique items from University of Iowa Libraries collections that share the history of paper technologies and movable books. A significant number of books on display are from the John Martin Rare Book Room at HardinContinue reading “Curator Q&A with Damien Ihrig”
Students investigate: examining paper technology and cultural trends through paper dolls
This series features the work and research of UI students. The following was written by Cecil Campbell, exhibition and engagement student lead for the Main Library Gallery. Everyone can relate to the experience of playing with toys as a little kid. Whether Barbie dolls or action figures, dump trucks or Hot Wheels, the toys weContinue reading “Students investigate: examining paper technology and cultural trends through paper dolls”
Interactive exhibition features rare movable books and paper technology
The Main Library Gallery at the University of Iowa Libraries (UI Libraries) welcomes visitors to experience a stunning exhibition of rare movable books and paper objects this fall. Free and open to the public, Paper Engineering in Art, Science, and Education opened on Aug. 25 and will be on display through Dec. 19, 2025. PaperContinue reading “Interactive exhibition features rare movable books and paper technology”
‘Hawkeye Histories’ at home
The fall 2024 Main Library Gallery exhibition, Hawkeye Histories | Sporting Stories, is now available to view online. Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content The virtual tour is a self-paced journey through the exhibition. It features 360° photos of the Main Library Gallery, which allow the viewer to move from areaContinue reading “‘Hawkeye Histories’ at home”