Events Calendar

Join us as we celebrate the opening of our new building!

The 3–4 p.m. dedication on Aug. 26 will include remarks from UI President Barbara Wilson and Stanley Museum of Art Director Lauren Lessing.

If you are not able to attend in person, the dedication will be streamed live on the Stanley website.

Following the dedication, light refreshments will be served in Gibson Square Park.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m. visitors can explore the galleries and enjoy curatorial introductions to Homecoming, the inaugural exhibition. Art-making activities in the park will be available all evening and there will be live music beginning 6 p.m. 

Presented in collaboration with UI SCOPE Productions, the featured bands are treesreach, Pictoria Vark, and Houndmouth.

Free popcorn, lemonade, and water will be available in Gibson Square Park from 5 to 9 p.m. Throughout the evening food trucks will be parked adjacent to the park with food for purchase.

Get directions and parking information.

Discover where to stay and what to enjoy when you visit Iowa City.

All events and museum admission are Free and Open to All

Limited seating will be provided. Members of the public are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. Bring the family, bring your friends, stay for the fun!

Celebrate the Stanley all weekend!

Friday, Aug. 26

• Art Stations, Gibson Square Park: 4–9 p.m.
  Drop in and create your own work of art, take a fun photo or contribute to a community art project.
• Curator Talks, Galleries, 4–5:30 p.m.
  Join the curators of Homecoming on the second floor for brief, informal introductions of the exhibition themes.
• Galleries close at 8:30 p.m.
• Live Music, Gibson Square Park, 6–9 p.m.
  Bring a chair and listen to live music from treesreach, Pictoria Vark, and Houndmouth. in Gibson Square Park!
  Free popcorn, lemonade and water will be available in Gibson Square Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Throughout the evening food trucks (Keeping Up With the Jones and Caribbean Kitchen) will be parked on the street between the Stanley and the Main Library with food for purchase.

Saturday, Aug. 27

• Art Stations, Gibson Square Park, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
  Drop in and create your own work of art, take a fun photo or contribute to a community art project.
• Homecoming Tours, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  Join a 45-minute docent-led tour that provides an overview of Homecoming, highlights work you’ll remember and introduces you to recent acquisitions. Tour sizes are limited; visit the lobby welcome desk to participate
• Galleries open 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Juggling Performances and Workshop, Gibson Square Park, Noon–3:15 p.m.
  Luther Bangert will perform a unique 10-minute juggling and dance performance on the hour. Between performances Bangert will lead lessons on the practice and art of juggling.
• Director’s Welcome, Lobby, 4:45 p.m.
  Stanley Museum of Art Director Lauren Lessing will share her plans for the museum and ways visitors of all ages can participate in museum activities all year long.
• Cedar Rapids Opera Performance, Lobby, 5–5:30 p.m.
  A special performance of Selections from The Grant Wood Operas: Strokes of Genius. Seating is limited and first come, first served.
• Special Performance by DJ Simeon Talley  Gibson Square Park, 6–9 p.m. (weather permitting)
  Spend Saturday night in the park! Enjoy music and food after your visit to the museum.
  Donuts and coffee (10 a.m.–noon) and popcorn, lemonade, and water (noon–9 p.m.) will be available for free in Gibson Square Park.
  Throughout the day food trucks will be parked on the street between the Stanley and the Main Library with food for purchase.
  • 11 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. Kona Ice
  • 11 a.m.–2 p.m. El Gringo Loco
  • 5– 9 p.m. Da Flava Unit and South Side Street Foods

Sunday, Aug. 28

• Homecoming Tours, Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
  Join a 45-minute docent-led tour that provides an overview of Homecoming, highlights work you’ll remember and introduces you to recent acquisitions. Tour sizes are limited; visit the lobby welcome desk to participate
• Galleries open Noon–5:30 p.m.
• Performance by the Steve Grismore Trio, Lobby 1 to 3 p.m.
• Performance by the Wilder-Hill Players, Lobby 3 p.m.
  Cookies and coffee (noon to 5:30 p.m.) will be available for free in the lobby

Support provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.