BVU Art Gallery

The Buena Vista University Art Gallery is located in the Social Science and Arts Building. Along with student senior exhibitions, this space is designed to be used for exhibitions by professional artists and shows by Iowa high school artists. Additionally, the theater department has held performances within the gallery.

The gallery is 1,342 square feet with 127 feet of running wall space and lit with adjustable track lighting. It also contains eight projectors for display of digital artwork.

Coming to the Gallery

Art Gallery Exhibitions

Confrontations of Self by Kathryn Van Zante & LeeReyna Lopez Leyva

Confrontations of Self by Kathryn Van Zante & LeeReyna Lopez Leyva Buena Vista University Art Gallery - Senior artists LeeReyna Lopez Leyva and Kathryn Van Zante exhibit their mixed media works April 10-24 at the BVU Art Gallery. Both artists are conceptually drawn to concepts of identity and formation of self. Guests were invited to experience the accumulation of their undergraduate studies. See the artwork...

Western Iowa Salon Expedition

Western Iowa Salon Expedition Storm Lake - Fifty-five high school students participated in the second annual Western Iowa Salon Exhibition (WISE) at Buena Vista University in March. Students representing 15 high schools from Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska submitted 183 works, of which 91 works were accepted for the exhibition. The winning entries were:

  • First place ($300 prize): Miranda Dooley, Lincoln High School, Sioux Falls, S.D., stoneware, Sisters
  • Second place ($200): Carly Holmstrom, Lincoln High School, Sioux Falls, acrylic, Midday Repose
  • Third place ($100): Bailey A. Hansen, Redwood Valley High School, Redwood Falls, Minn., digital photography, Untitled
“The overall quality of work that is on display in the gallery is quite impressive,” says David Boelter, associate professor of art. “Both the quality of the work and the range of media improved this year. Once again, I was impressed by the number of high school students, parents and art teachers in attendance for the day’s events, and especially the turnout for the awards presentation.” Juror for the exhibition was Eric Ouren, professor of art at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn. He previously taught at Bethel University, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and Minnesota State University in Mankato. During the WISE Day of Art and Design on March 10, the high school students had the opportunity to interact with BVU art students and faculty — Boelter; Mary Mello-Nee, associate professor of art; and Rebecca Frates, professor of graphic design — and participate in hands-on workshops. Prof. Ouren also conducted a presentation of his personal art work. See the artwork...

Mary Hark and Pamela Clarkson ''Works On and Of Paper''

Mary Hark and Pamela Clarkson ''Works On and Of Paper'' Jan. 13- Feb. 17, 2012 - Pamela Clarkson is a British artist who has studied, worked and exhibited internationally. She works in London and Kumasi, Ghana. Most of her prints in this exhibition were made in Kumasi, Ghana. They are relief prints printed from lino, cardboard, and found objects and printed on a  letterpress proofing press, an etching press, a book binding press or by hand with a Japanese baren. Clarkson made this prints go to the edge of the paper like paintings so that she could more easily play with the surface image. Sometimes she begins with ideas drawn onto paper and developed in a rational way, at other times she begins with a coloured background and juxtaposes images to see what they make together. Mary Hark was born and educated in the Midwest. She teaches at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and creates her studio work in both Madison and Kumasi, Ghana. Hark's most recent body of work is a consideration of the physical environments in which she lives and works. These constructed paintings respond to the physical environment of Kaumasi, Ghana, where she spends several months each year researching textile traditions. This work celebrates the spiritual and cultural tenor specific to each place, while acknowledging the influence each has brought to her own particular artistic vision. See the artwork...

Selections from the Keith Carter Collection

Selections from the Keith Carter Collection Selected textiles from Keith Carter's Arabic Heritage collection. See the artwork...

The Dressing Room

The Dressing Room Aug. 29 - Oct, 6, 2011 - Sculptural work by Erica Spitzer Rasmussen and Julie McLaughlin. See the artwork...

More gallery exhibitions...