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”
Tag Archives: Main Library Gallery
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”
Students investigate: eye-catching color in early children’s books
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. There are a number of hallmarks that we look for when identifying children’s media: big pictures, bold and eye-catching colors, large fonts. Children’s books especially are known for these traits, and have been since the 19th century, when they firstContinue reading “Students investigate: eye-catching color in early children’s books”
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: a brief history of cards
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. Cards are found in many games, across time and place. They can be adapted to appeal to different ages, different playing styles, and even different commercial franchises. The historyContinue reading “Students investigate: a brief history of cards”
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”
Pop-up exhibit to showcase adaptations at FilmScene’s annual Refocus Film Festival
By Cecil Campbell, exhibition and engagement student lead for the Main Library Gallery. The theme of Iowa City’s annual Refocus Film Festival is “the art of adaptation.” The Main Library Gallery is displaying a pop-up exhibit during the festival that showcases just a few of the many forms adaptation can take, using facsimiles of objectsContinue reading “Pop-up exhibit to showcase adaptations at FilmScene’s annual Refocus Film Festival”
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”
Students investigate: Poe and the Symbolists
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. The Symbolist Movement took place in France and Belgium in the late 19th century as a response to styles that emphasized realistic and classical forms. Visitors to the MainContinue reading “Students investigate: Poe and the Symbolists”