AMES, IOWA — JANUARY 12, 2023 — Renowned artist Joyce J. Scott creates beaded sculptures and neck pieces as commentary on racism, misogyny, equality, heritage and more. Her exhibition Joyce J. Scott: Messages opens Tuesday, January 17 at the Brunnier Art Museum in the Scheman Building, 1805 Center Drive, Ames, Iowa, at Iowa State University.

“University Museums is honored to include such an important and dynamic artist within the permanent collection,” Adrienne Gennett, Brunnier Art Museum curator said. “Joyce J. Scott: Messages allows for further exploration of her as an artist and activist, with a survey of her long and successful career in American art and craft.”

“This quest manifests in the batons passed by those who had not chance to run the entire race,” said artist Scott. “Who couldn’t shine because of their skin color, lack of academic education or the overt abuse of power by others. They ate dung so I could have sugar, actually died for me.”

To honor Scott for her accomplishments, Mobilia Gallery has organized this traveling exhibition of Scott's work titled Messages, consisting of thirty-five beaded objects expressing contemporary issues and concepts. Each object is a unique, vibrant, challenging work of art done with imagination, wit and sly humor.

The public will have the opportunity to join Joyce J. Scott and University Museums live online for a free virtual artist lecture via Zoom on Tuesday, January 31 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Scott will talk about how she challenges stereotypes and confronts difficult subjects through the use of glass beads. Zoom information can be found on the University Museums website museums.iastate.edu.

Joyce J. Scott: Messages will be open to the public Tuesday, January 17 through Sunday, April 30, 2023. Admission to the Brunnier Art Museum is free and open hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and university holidays, but Iowa State curriculum tours may be scheduled Mondays with two weeks’ notice.

This exhibition is organized by Mobilia Gallery. The exhibition is hosted by University Museums with generous support from Frankie and Cal Parrott, Barbara and Roger Bruene, H. Dieter and Renate Dellmann, Sarah Nusser and Michael King, Barbara Woods, and University Museums membership.

Find full descriptions of programs on the University Museums Calendar. All programs are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not required. Click the event title for more information and/or to register. Events listed below will be at the Brunnier Art Museum (1805 Center Dr., 295 Scheman Building, Ames, Iowa) unless otherwise noted. Programs are subject to change. Check the University Museums Calendar and Facebook page for the latest events information.

Joyce J. Scott Artist Lecture

Tuesday, January 31, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Virtual on Zoom (Zoom link)

Joyce J. Scott is a dynamic artist, educator, and performer whose beadwork sculptures tell the stories of her world. Learn how her art on view in the Brunnier Art Museum challenges stereotypes and confronts many difficult subjects through the use of glass beads.

Exploring the Different Beadwork Techniques of American Indian Peoples: Discussion and Demonstration

Sunday, February 5, 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Join Dr. Brianna Burke, Associate Professor of American Indian Studies and English, to learn more about the importance of beadwork to multiple American Indian nations. Participants will have the opportunity to try different beading techniques.

Curator's Tour

Sunday, March 12, 2:00–3:00 p.m.



Brunnier Art Museum curator Adrienne Gennett will tour the special exhibition, Joyce J. Scott: Messages, while examining the storytelling found in Scott’s beadwork and traditions of beadwork throughout the world.

Precious Brilliance: Yorùbá Beading and the Artistry of Joyce J. Scott 

Wednesday, April 19, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Virtual on Zoom (Zoom link)

Inspired by African and global traditions, Joyce J. Scott transforms ancient beaded story-telling with ever-inventive newness, humor, serious playfulness, and power. Lecture presented by Dr. Henry John Drewal, Evjue-Bascom Professor Emeritus of Art History and Afro-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Joyce J. Scott is a dynamic artist and performer, best known for her use of beadwork as her artistic medium of choice. Scott is esteemed for her technical skills, transforming the rich tradition of beadwork with her own interpretations of the peyote stitch. She pushes the boundaries of beadwork, reflecting the artist’s narrative of what it means to be Black in America.

Throughout her illustrious career Scott has garnered numerous accolades, including a McArthur Fellowship (2016) and four honorary doctorates. Mobilia Gallery has represented and exhibited Scott’s work for over 40 years.

mobilia-gallery.com

The Brunnier Art Museum is the only accredited museum emphasizing a decorative arts collection in the state of Iowa and one of the nation's few museums located within a performing arts and conference complex (Iowa State Center). Founded in 1975, the museum is named after its benefactors, Henry J. Brunnier and his wife Ann. Ceramics, glass, dolls, ivory, jade, and enameled metals are all included in the Brunnier Collection.

Museum Hours

Reopens Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed to the public Monday. ISU curriculum tours may be scheduled on Monday with a 2-week notice.

Closed University Holidays.

Admission is free. Donations are welcome.

museums.iastate.edu

University Museums is a distinctive organization that encompasses two art museums, a National Historic Landmark historic home museum, a sculpture garden, and one of the largest campus public art collections in the nation. University Museums brings world-class exhibitions with educational programming to Iowa State University, actively acquires works of art to add to the more than 30,000 permanent collection objects, conserves and preserves collections, conducts and publishes curatorial scholarship, and fosters student engagement.

museums.iastate.edu

To schedule interviews, photograph events, or request high-resolution images, please contact Alisha Abner at 515.294.3342 or aabner@iastate.edu. 

Header: detail of Mz. Teapot, 2022

Joyce J. Scott

Glass beads, plastic beads, thread, wire, armature, woven & peyote stitch.

On loan from Mobilia Gallery

Photo: Michael Koryta

Caught Peeping, 2021

Joyce J. Scott

Glass beads, thread, wire, peyote stitch

On loan from Mobilia Gallery

Photo: Jeff Butler

Model: Aisha Butler

Bib Necklace, 2012

Joyce J. Scott

Peyote stitch, glass beads, thread

On loan from the Collection of Marion Fulk

Fairytale Neckpiece, 2020

Joyce J. Scott

Peyote Stitch, woven glass beads, thread

Purchased by University Museums with funds from the Joyce Tomlinson Brewer Fund for Art Acquisition and Barbara Woods. In the permanent collection, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. UM2020.38